Bowling Green at Owensboro highlights local slate in the second round of the KHSAA football playoffs
By Perry Swack
Barren County. Bowling Green. South Warren. Allen County-Scottsville. Franklin-Simpson. Hart County. Monroe County. Russellville.
Only eight area teams remain with a chance to hoist the state championship trophy on the first weekend of December. Two teams in Class 5A, two teams in Class 3A, and one in Class 6A, 4A, 2A, and 1A. Hart County enters the weekend still undefeated at 11-0. What teams will reach the quarterfinals? Keep reading for our previews and predictions for Friday’s gridiron action.
(Rankings are reflective of the KHSAA RPI within class) (All games are CST)
#5 Bowling Green (9-2) @ #6 Owensboro (8-3)
A top ten meeting between the Purples and Red Devils is one of the more appetizing matchups Friday as Bowling Green looks to reach the state quarterfinals for a third-straight season. BG dispatched of OHS, 35-14, in August and have won four in a row over their old rival. Deuce Bailey and Trevy Barber connected on six passes that evening, three for touchdowns. Bailey went 18-for-23 with 304 yards with five scores, while Barber racked up 157 receiving yards on those six catches.
After starting 1-3, the Red Devils have righted the ship with seven-consecutive wins. Jayson Fallin’s club is allowing only 11 points per game during that stretch. Junior Evan Hampton is averaging 140 yards per game on the ground. Owensboro will need a big game from their star running back if they are to spring the upset.
Bowling Green 38, Owensboro 17
#16 Franklin-Simpson (6-5) @ #3 Hart County (11-0)
After a state semifinal run in 2023, Hart County has continued its dominance in 2024. The Raiders have won nine of their eleven games by at least 19 points. One of those wins was a 28-7 victory over their opponent this Friday, Franklin-Simpson. In the regular season meeting, Hart County rushed the ball 40 times for 278 yards, led by senior Kameron Asbury’s ten carries for 102 yards.
The Wildcats managed only 65 rushing yards in the loss three weeks ago. Max Chaney’s club averages more than 260 yards per game, a number they will look to get back to this week. The trifecta of Layne Alford, Colin Anderson, and Blake McPherson are each averaging 70+ yards per game on the ground. While it’s easier said than done, if Franklin can keep the score in the teens, they will have a much better chance to knock off the 3A titans.
Hart County 35, Franklin-Simpson 7
#4 Graves County (9-2) @ #2 South Warren (10-1)
Graves County and South Warren will meet for the third time this Friday in Bowling Green. The Spartans took the first two meetings in 2017 (38-12) and 2022 (36-7) with both coming in the postseason. Brandon Smith’s squad has won six straight by an average score of 48-7. Featuring one of the state’s most balanced offenses, South is led by senior quarterback Bryce Button. The Eastern Michigan commit has thrown for more than 2000 yards on the season with 30 TD passes. Junior Kayden York is the leading back with 631 rushing yards and nine scores. The Spartans have amassed a whopping 35 sacks and 104 tackles for losses, led by Colton Veltkamp’s 16 sacks and 25 tackles for losses.
Graves County will look to combat a stout Spartan D with dual-threat quarterback Kaden Gregory. The senior has thrown 20 TD and rushed 90 times for nearly 350 yards and seven scores. The Eagles feature three skill players who have rushed at least 80 times this season. Graves County’s defense has picked off opposing quarterbacks 23 times this season and will need a few more if they are to reach the state quarterfinals.
South Warren 42, Graves County 10
#10 Allen County-Scottsville (9-2) @ #14 Bardstown (8-3)
Coming off their highest scoring output of the season, the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots will look to continue its momentum at Bardstown this Friday. In their 56-34 win over Nelson County, the Patriots returned three punts for scores. De’Ante Grainger returned two for touchdowns, giving the junior four on the season. ACS was blanked by Bardstown in the opening round of the playoffs last season. What will the rematch look like?
Allen County-Scottsville 35, Bardstown 31
#3 Campbellsville (9-2) @ #21 Russellville (6-5)
The Panthers will host Campbellsville on Friday evening after an exciting 28-27 win over Bethlehem last weekend. Mikie Benton’s club has won five out of six and will look to make it six out of seven when they host the third-ranked Eagles. The teams have met four times in the postseason since 2015, splitting the four meetings at two apiece.
Campbellsville 24, Russellville 13
#12 Barren County (9-2) @ #7 North Hardin (8-3)
Barren County fell 14-6 to North Hardin in early October and will travel back to Radcliffe on Friday to try and knock off the Trojans and move into the state quarterfinals. Can Barren make more history on Friday evening?
Barren County 21, North Hardin 20
#9 Washington County (8-3) @ #19 Monroe County (6-5)
Monroe County welcomes #9 Washington County to Tompkinsville on Friday night. The Falcons are coming off a 35-8 victory over Shawnee and were led by running back Brayden Baxter’s 139 yards on 10 carries. The Commanders are looking for only their third playoff win since at least 1998, while Monroe is seeking its first appearance in the state quarterfinals since 2017.
Monroe County 34, Washington County 30
