South Warren vs. Greenwood and Franklin-Simpson vs. Warren East highlight major Thursday night district matchups
By Perry Swack
High school football and “Friday Night Lights” have been synonymous with one another over the years as a majority of high school football games take place on Friday nights. However, this week we will be treated to two games featuring some top-tier talent in the state of Kentucky when the Spartans, Gators, Raiders, and Wildcats do battle in the trenches on Thursday night.
South Warren (5-3) will look to clinch a home playoff game for the first round of the upcoming 5A state playoffs when it travels to Greenwood (6-2). Both teams are vying for the district’s #2 seed after losing to Bowling Green. After losing two close games in Tennessee and Indiana to start the season, the Spartans have won four of their last five games, including a 52-14 win last week over Christian County. Sophomore quarterback Bryce Button completed 14-of-18 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. The team rushed for 215 yards, led by Jimmy Sales’ 70 yards. South’s defense also forced three turnovers and sacked the Colonel QB three times in the win.
Greenwood lost for the first time in seven games last week, dropping a 35-7 decision at district rival Bowling Green. The Gator defense did intercept the Purples twice and were led by Zane McCauley’s ten total tackles. Coach William Howard will look for his offense to have a bounce-back week after managing only 207 yards in the loss. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Huff and junior running back Tel Tel Long will be called upon to produce for GHS.
The Spartans have won six-straight in the series with the Gators.
Raiders and Wildcats play for district’s #1 seed at Warren East
Warren East (8-0) continues to move up the Class 4A rankings, checking in at #6 after dispatching Allen County-Scottsville last week, 40-26. Sophomore quarterback Dane Parsley only completed 10-of-21 passes but managed to throw for 141 yards and two scores, while rushing for 137 yards and scoring twice on the ground. Parsley has now tallied 39 total touchdowns (23 passing, 16 rushing) on the season. The talented underclassman is not a one-man show though. Senior running back Quinton Hollis has rushed for nearly 600 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver duo Tray Price and Ahmad Alexander each have more than 500 yards receiving and 17 touchdown receptions combined.
Franklin-Simpson (6-2) is ranked #11 in Class 4A and is also undefeated in district play. The Wildcats have won four-straight games, including three district victories. Coach Max Chaney’s club uses its vaunted rushing attack to overwhelm opposing defenses, averaging more than 250 yards per game on the ground. Blake McPherson leads the way with 740 yards on 77 carries. Four players have scored at least five rushing touchdowns this season as McPherson (5), Gavin Dickerson (6), Layne Alford (7), and Hayden Satterly (6) are all threats for the Wildcat offense. The Wildcat defense has forced 16 turnovers on the season, led by Hunter Jones’ four interceptions and Alford’s three fumble recoveries. Forcing turnovers will certainly be a key to the team’s success if they are to knock off the undefeated Raiders.
Franklin-Simpson has won ten straight games in the series, including last year’s 27-26 thriller in the first round of the playoffs.
