Postseason football has arrived, meaning that each high school football team will be striving to achieve one main goal each and every week: surviving and advancing.
As many of the first round playoff matchups put a heavy favorite against a big underdog, Warren East’s meeting against Hopkinsville on Friday at 7 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl is one of the most highly anticipated first round contests.
Warren East and Hoptown have met twice before in the regional quarterfinals, with the Tigers winning each of the two tilts. The most recent encounter came during this time last season, as Hopkinsville shutout East 54-0 in a first round affair.
The Raiders are looking forward to hosting the Tigers this time around.
“We’re glad to be at home,” Warren East head coach Jeff Griffith said following the Raiders’ win over Bardstown last Friday. “We’re going to be playing a Hoptown team that’s very athletic. We just have to get back in here and get to work and prepare for them.”
The Raiders (6-4 overall) fired on all cylinders last week against Bardstown, rolling to a 36-6 victory in their regular-season finale. Against the Tigers, senior running back Trevor Naftel rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns while junior running back Thomas Maxey ran for 64 yards and a score. Along with its ground game, East’s defense produced a strong outing.
Junior linebacker Preston Tarrence emerged as a dominant defender, recording a 38-yard interception return for a TD while blocking two punts and recording a handful of tackles. Senior Isaiah Boards continued to be the leader of a strong Raider line, tallying 11 tackles.
Hopkinsville (4-6) travels to Bowling Green after winning 31-6 against Greenwood a week ago. Prior to that, meeting, the Tigers recorded a 54-0 victory at Hopkins County Central back in Week 10. Hoptown is led by sophomore quarterback Javier Bland, who has passed for 1,614 yards and 13 TDs with eight interceptions in 2017. His main receiver, senior Gavin Marschand, has recorded 905 yards and 6 TDs this year.
The winner of Friday’s contest will advance to the Class 4A quarterfinals, where it’ll meet the Logan County vs. Warren Central winner next week.
Class 4A Playoffs: Warren East (6-4) vs. Hopkinsville (4-6)
- Fri., Nov. 3 | 7 p.m. (CT)
- Warren East High School | Bowling Green, KY
- Coaches: Jeff Griffith (WEHS) | Craig Clayton (HHS)
- Listen Live: STBNTV.com | Ben Browning (PXP) | Tyler Mansfield (Analysis)
- Live Updates: @SportingTimes | @TylerMansfield
