Week 10 of the Kentucky high school football season has finally arrived, meaning that one of the most anticipated and emotion-filled games of the year is upon us.
Two powerhouses and crosstown rivals – South Warren and Bowling Green – will meet for just the third time ever Friday at Spartan Stadium in a showdown the community has been waiting to see ever since the two sides last met on Nov. 17, 2017.
“This week’s game has been anticipated by Bowling Green and South Warren fans since the end of last season,” Bowling Green coach Mark Spader said. “We expect a packed stadium at South Warren High School involving a game played between two of the top teams in Kentucky.”
That meeting between the Spartans and Purples last November came in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs – and South Warren grinded out a 28-21 win to keep Bowling Green from winning a third consecutive state championship. The Spartans’ victory took place just four weeks after they were dominated by the Purples in a 43-7 regular-season loss Oct. 20.
Stakes remain high for meeting No. 3 between the two programs, as Friday’s contest will be played for the Class 5A, District 2 title and the outcome will have a significant impact on first-round playoff pairings. The South Warren-Bowling Green winner will host the winner of Friday’s game between Marshall County and Apollo on Nov. 2, while the loser hosts Christian County.
But before South Warren and Bowling Green begin focusing on the postseason, both teams’ full attention is strictly on finding a way to win Friday night.
“I think it will be a great high school football atmosphere,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “It will be a great experience for the kids. It will take our best game of the season to have a chance.”
The Spartans (8-0) – the only undefeated team remaining in the area – enter Friday’s tilt after having last week off with their bye. In its last time out, South Warren earned a 21-0 win over Ravenwood High School – one of Tennessee’s top high school programs – on Oct. 5.
Through nine weeks, the Spartans — ranked No. 2 in the latest Class 5A Kentucky Associated Press poll — have been led by a consistent offense and a stout defense. While scoring 43 points and recording 278 yards per game offensively, South Warren’s defense has allowed just eight points and 99 yards per outing.
Senior quarterback Gavin Spurrier has led the charge offensively, having passed for 1,448 yards and 23 touchdowns with just three interceptions this season. Along with Spurrier, senior running back Cameron Harrison has rushed for 714 yards and 10 touchdowns, while senior wide receiver – and WKU commit – Clayton Bush has recorded 471 all-purpose yards and 13 TDs.
Defensively, the Spartans have recorded 453 total tackles, 19 sacks, seven fumbles and five interceptions. Senior linebacker Pete Cross leads South Warren statistically with 66 total tackles, while fellow seniors Tre Teague (54), Rowdy Shea (39), and Notre Dame commit Jacob Lacey (36) have combined for 129 more.
“South Warren is balanced offensively, strong defensively and has had great success with special teams this season,” Spader said.
Bowling Green (7-1) — ranked third in the Class 5A AP poll — comes into Friday after suffering its first loss of 2018 in a 62-14 setback at Warren Central High School – the top-ranked team in Indiana and No. 15 ranked program nationally – on the road last week. The Purples were held to just 109 total yards of offense, dug themselves into a 55-7 hole at halftime and couldn’t ever climb out.
Bowling Green, which averages 36 points and 303 yards per game, is led offensively by senior quarterback Beau Buchanan, who has thrown for 1,695 yards and 17 touchdowns with just four interceptions. In addition to Buchanan, junior running back Vito Tisdale has ran for 670 yards and eight TDs, while senior wide receiver Jamil Smith has tallied 133 yards and three scores.
Defensively, the Purples have recorded 463 total tackles, 11 sacks, seven interceptions and five fumbles. Junior safety Evan Spader leads Bowling Green statistically with 48 total tackles, while senior linebackers Harris Tomblinson (45), Miles Smith (37) and Ethan Klein (35) have combined for 117 more.
“Bowling Green is an outstanding team in all three phases,” Smith said. “They have playmakers everywhere.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Spartan Stadium with the game broadcast live – and free – on STBNTV.com, courtesy of The Sporting Times Broadcast Network. Tune into the Pre-Game Show with Joe Brunk at 6:40 p.m. and follow for all of the action.
“We’ll need to shake off our showing this past Friday in Indiana and compete at a high level in all phases of the game in order to win,” said Spader.
