By Perry Swack
Ed Young Stadium – September 18, 2020 – 6:30pm
Last Game
Bowling Green won at St. Xavier – 14-0 – in Week 1
Pleasure Ridge Park lost at DuPont Manual – 42-22 – in the opening round of the 2019 Class 6A Playoffs
2019 Meeting
Bowling Green blitzed PRP by a score of 56-0 last season behind 267 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Evan Spader scored one of those rushing touchdowns on 83 yards, while Darrius Franklin scored twice on 75 yards rushing. The Purple defense picked off the Panthers three times on the night.
Last 4 Matchups
2019 – PRP 0 @ Bowling Green 56
2018 – PRP 7 @ Bowling Green 44
2017 – Bowling Green 21 @ PRP 35
2001 – PRP 16 @ Bowling Green 9
Preview
Bowling Green will travel to Louisville for a second-consecutive week after defeating St. Xavier 14-0 in Week 1. Senior Conner Cooper connected on 18-of-25 passes for 211 yards and one score against the Tigers last week. Javy Bunton ran 21 times for 81 yards and a touchdown. Senior Eli Burwash provided 13 carries for 53 yards as well. Talented wide receiver Dezmond Wilson caught nine passes for 90 yards and a score, while Jordan Dingle snagged five catches for 55 yards. Linebacker standout Rece Jones picked up where he left off in 2019 with nine tackles and a sack. Junior defensive lineman Bradley Gurley totaled five tackles and two sacks.
Pleasure Ridge Park will be kicking off its 2020 season starting sophomore Kayden Anderson at quarterback. The underclassman served as the backup in 2019. Senior Derrik Gant is the team’s top returning wide receiver.
Prediction
Bowling Green 49, Pleasure Ridge Park 7
Bowling Green will roll over the Panthers in Louisville behind a balanced attack on the ground and through the air. I expect Bunton to rack up nearly 100 yards, for Cooper to throw for nearly 300 yards, and for Wilson to home in on 100 yards receiving. The Purple defense will pick off Anderson twice in his debut.
Next Week
Bowling Green opens district play at crosstown rival South Warren on October 2
PRP hosts Louisville Western on September 25
