By Perry Swack – Sporting Times Reporter
Quarterback
Owensboro junior Gavin Wimsatt is the #1 ranked player in the state of Kentucky for the Class of 2022 and is a 4-star recruit according to 247Sports. He was recently named the Messenger-InquirerOffensive Player of the Year for 2020. His high rating seems justified after the outstanding junior campaign he has compiled. Wimsatt leads Class 5A in both passing yards (2,070) and touchdowns (26). His completion percentage of 61.4% is ranked fourth in 5A, while both his completions (145) and attempts (235) rank him second across 5A. Wimsatt is also the team’s second-leading rusher at 408 yards on the season with six rushing touchdowns.
The junior play-caller threw for at least one touchdown in every game this season, while connecting on two touchdowns in nine of the team’s eleven contests. He saved arguably his best performance of the season for last week’s state semifinals. Through the air, Wimsatt completed 17-of-32 passes for three touchdowns, while rushing for a team-high 75 yards on 18 carries. His TD pass to running back Ethan Avery with under two minutes remaining proved to be the game-winner.
On the other side, the Purples will line up with senior Conner Cooper. The veteran holds his own at the QB position, ranking third in Class 5A with 131 completions, fourth in attempts (226), sixth in passing yards (1,686), eighth in passing touchdowns (13), and ninth in completion percentage (58.0%). Cooper – like Wimsatt – is the team’s second-leading rusher, having rushed 80 times for 428 yards and six scores.
The Purples have unlocked a new option in their offense – Cooper’s ability to rack up yards on the ground. In the last three games (all in the playoffs), the senior has rushed for 287 yards. Arguably his best performance of the season came in the state quarterfinal win over North Bullitt. In what was the final game at El Donaldson Stadium, Cooper completed 19-of-29 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He also rushed seven times for 106 yards and a score as Bowling Green blasted the Eagles, 55-7.
EDGE: Owensboro
Running Back
Both teams boast an array of backs that allow the offenses some variety in their ability to run the football. For Bowling Green, it all begins with Javy Bunton. The senior is third in all of Class 5A with 19 rushing touchdowns, scoring at least one touchdown in 10 of 11 games this season. On the year, Bunton has rushed 185 times for 964 yards, good enough for 5.2 yards per attempt. His 185 attempts are ranked sixth in 5A. He has also been a reliable pass-catcher for Cooper, catching 22 passes for 253 yards and two scores. Bunton’s best games were against Pleasure Ridge Park, McCracken County, and in the playoff victory over South Warren. Against PRP, the senior rushed 18 times for 119 yards and 3 TD. In a 28-12 win over McCracken, Bunton went off for 175 yards on 25 carries and 4 TD. In the playoff win over South, he rushed 22 times for 123 yards and two scores.
Javy Bunton is not the only talented back the Purples’ offense boasts, however. Senior Eli Burwash has been a trusted weapon when offensive coordinator Chris Seabolt needs him. Against Christian County, Burwash carried the ball only three times; however, he rushed for 58 yards and two touchdowns on those three carries. In the district title game, Burwash caught three passes for 138 yards and two TD. Junior Matrix Halcomb – possibly the heir to Bunton and Burwash – has rushed 23 times for 79 yards on the season. Sophomore Dillon Maners is the only other Purple with more than four rushes, as he has carried eight times for 55 yards on the year.
Although the Red Devils boast one of the best passing attacks in the Commonwealth, the club has actually scored three more touchdowns on the ground than they have through the air. The primary-used back is Ethan Avery. The senior has rushed 97 times for 630 yards and 9 touchdowns. His best game of the season came in a 50-13 home victory over Apollo in which he rushed 11 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He followed it up with a 111-yard game against Daviess County helping the Red Devils clip the Panthers, 42-34.
Owensboro leans heaviest upon Avery and Wimsatt for rushing yards; however, coach Jayson Fallin has four other running backs that have combined for 16 touchdowns. Junior Taquan Robinson has rushed 23 times for 165 yards and four scores, while sophomore Kenyatta Carbon has 162 yards and three TD. Austin Gough has only 102 yards on the season, but the senior has scored six times. Steven Stevenson has rushed three times for 79 yards, scoring a touchdown on each of his rushes.
EDGE: Bowling Green
