Kroger's Kentucky High School Football Rundown - Week 9
As we inch closer to the end of the regular season, we witnessed another thrilling week of high school football action across the Bluegrass.
This week’s Kroger KSR Game of the Week traveled to northern Kentucky where KSR’s Brady Byrdwell was able to get a first-hand look at future Kentucky tight end Willie Rodriguez, who finished with two first-half touchdowns as No. 5 Covington Catholic cruised to a dominating win. You can check out Brady’s full recap here.
Elsewhere, KSR had boots on the ground in Versailles and Bowling Green for a pair of top 25 matchups. Troy Howell saw No. 14 Scott County power past No. 25 Woodford County with ease while Piper McCoun was treated to an instant classic with No. 19 Bowling Green taking down No. 21 South Warren in the closing moments. You can find recaps for both games below.
Before you dive into those — and the entire scoreboard rundown — let’s shout out our good friends at Kroger.
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Bowling Green stuns South Warren 36-29 to win in final seconds
BY: Piper McCoun
In an instant classic, the No. 19 Bowling Green Purples (6-2) reigned supreme in a 36-29 win over intra-county rival No. 21 South Warren (6-2). The Purples came back to win within the final 14 seconds with a historic hitch pitch trick play. Adjectives describing the game include, but are not limited to thrilling, insane, exhilarating, classic, and the list goes on.
“[I preached to them] there was going to be so much energy and juice going, but to just try and deal with the ups and downs of a game like this” head coach Mark Spader said. “[I preached to them] to have the understanding that [South Warren] never gives up… if you’re gonna beat them you gotta put your foot on their neck. It was just last man standing this time.”
This game was packed with ups and downs for both sides. There are so many factors that play into the emotions of a game like this: playoff implications, a historic rivalry, revenge seeking and the desire to claim the top spot in the city. It went right down to the wire, but in the end, the Purples prevailed.
First Half Chess Match
It was back and forth jabs in the first quarter. Bowling Green won the toss and deferred to receive in the second half, so South Warren began their push up the field. After bringing it to the opposite five and in scoring position, a South Warren fumble allowed Bowling Green to take over possession and begin their drive.
This didn’t last long, though, because a Deuce Bailey connection to Trey Graham was good for a 96 yard touchdown reception, and the Purples were up 7-0 to end the first quarter.
The Spartans kept their composure, though. They were finally able to capitalize on quarterback Bryce Button with a touchdown reception in the second to tie it up at 7-7 with 8:05 left before the break. South Warren’s defense was all over the place during the second quarter, forcing some three-and-outs and getting a couple sacks.
But, the Purples took advantage of their opportunity to score with under 30 seconds left before halftime with a huge touchdown reception from Christopher Sweeney. Bowling Green brought momentum and the lead into the break at 14-7.
Second Half Shootout
Defense was tight on both ends all night, but especially at the start of the third. After another solid push up field by the Spartans, quarterback Bryce Button carried it in for six and tied it up 14-14 with 5:23 to go in the third. Soon after, the Purples got back on track with another Bailey touchdown to Trevy Barber, and the Purples took the lead back 21-14 to end the third.
The fourth quarter is when things got crazy. South Warren receiver DeShawn Bridges got a massive score to tie the game for the third time at 21-21. Later on, South Warren took over possession near their own 15, but a costly fumble led to a scoop and score by Bowling Green’s Grayson Newman to reclaim the lead 28-21 with 7:10 to play.
After this, South Warren took advantage of their leading rusher Jimmy Sales for a long drive up the field. Then, a Button pass to receiver Isaiah Rigsby was good for a touchdown, and a quarterback keep for the two-point conversion gave the Spartans the lead 29-28 with just 34 seconds left on the clock. The crowd erupted in celebration of what seemed like the final score of the night.
With hopes of getting far enough up field to get a potential field goal, Bowling Green came out determined. Then the magic happened. With the entire offensive coaches behind the legendary “John Hardin” play call, the Purples went for the hook and ladder with just 14 seconds remaining on the clock. And boy, did that pay off for them. The Purples took the lead and sealed the Spartans fate with the final score in the final seconds and claimed the game 36-29.
“We’ve got a countdown clock in our locker room and it’s Greenwood,” Spader said. “I want them to enjoy tonight, we’ll go in in the morning, we’ll run, we’ll watch film, they’ll have their weekend and we’ll get ready for Greenwood and that’s all I care about at this moment.”
The Purples will host Greenwood at home next Friday at 7 P.M.
No. 14 Scott County Runs Over No. 25 Woodford County
BY: Troy Howell
The No. 14 Scott County Cardinals picked up an impressive 36-0 district win over the No. 25 Woodford County Yellow Jackets on a warm, October 13th Friday night in Versailles. Scott County (8-1) controlled the 5A matchup throughout by relying on their deep running back stable to impose their will on Woodford County (5-2).
The Cardinals ran for 316 yards and got rushing touchdowns from four different players. They showed why they are 8th in the state in rushing (296 yards per game) and 9th in scoring (44.6 points per game) with a powerful triple-option attack.
Scott County had a short, easy-scoring drive to open the game. Freshman Timmy Emongo got the Cardinals on the board with a 40-yard touchdown rush.
After a Woodford County punt, the Yellow Jackets stopped Scott County on 4th down. That would be their only stop of the half.
Scott County forced another punt and a Jacob Fryman 39-yard run got the Cards down to the Woodford County three-yard line. Fryman punched it in one play later to extend the lead to 14-0.
The Cardinal defense was bend-but-don’t-break, forcing the Yellow Jackets to settle for a short field goal after a long sustained drive. The field goal was pushed slightly to the right.
The next Scott County drive was highlighted by a long completion from Andrew Hickey to Ellis Higuely. The Cardinals pushed the lead to 21-0 with a 10-yard rushing touchdown from Huguely.
Scott County forced a turnover on the next possession with Luke Valencia creating the fumble and Jackson Damron recovering. Thomas Feickert became the fourth Cardinal to score a rushing touchdown on a three-yard run right before halftime.
Woodford County returned the kickoff to the Scott County 12 with one second left but was unable to score on the next play.
On their opening drive of the second half, Scott County went over the top on 4th and 4 with a 52-yard touchdown bomb from Hickey to Feickhert. The successful two-point conversion pass from Eli Lilly to Isaac York made it 36-0, triggering a running clock with 8:55 remaining in the third quarter.
The Cardinals have earned home-field advantage throughout at least the first two rounds of the playoffs by sweeping district play. They appear to be serious 5A championship contenders along with the likes of Highlands, Bowling Green, and South Warren.
The Yellow Jackets will look to bounce back. They can clinch a first-round home playoff game with a victory at underdog Anderson County next week. Woodford County’s strength (they rank 12th in the state in sacks per game) was somewhat negated because the Cardinals rarely pass. Layton Starks, who ranks 12th in sacks (8.0), had another good game for the Yellow Jackets. The loss of UK target Makhi Smith, (the junior wide receiver is out with an injury) limited the offense.
Next up:
Woodford County visits Anderson County on Friday, October 20 at 7:30 PM. Scott County has a bye and then visits Lexington Catholic on Friday, October 27 at 7:30 PM.
Kroger’s Scores From Around The State
Kroger is a staple in your hometown community just like high school football. There’s nothing quite like Friday nights in the Bluegrass. We are honored to share this journey with Kroger and you for the fourth consecutive season. Check out all of the scores from throughout the weekend below.
Thursday, Oct. 12
| No. 25 Bullitt East | 40 | vs. Southern | 12 |
| DeSales | 21 | at Jeffersontown | 18 |
| Mason County | 50 | vs. Grant County | 6 |
| Newport | 68 | at Bellevue | 24 |
| Newport Central Catholic | 49 | vs. Dayton | 8 |
Friday, Oct. 13
| Adair County | 33 | vs. Butler County | 13 |
| Allen County-Scottsville | 41 | vs. Calloway County | 20 |
| Atherton | 40 | at Iroquois | 6 |
| Ballard | 48 | at Oldham County | 7 |
| Bardstown | 41 | at Nelson County | 3 |
| Barren County | 42 | at Warren Central | 6 |
| No. 16 Beechwood | 55 | at Carroll County | 0 |
| Belfry | 49 | at Estill County | 7 |
| Bland-Rocky Gap (Bland), VA | 27 | vs. Jenkins | 8 |
| Bourbon County | 39 | at Pendleton County | 14 |
| No. 19 Bowling Green | 36 | at No. 21 South Warren | 29 |
| Boyd County | 44 | at Rowan County | 18 |
| No. 1 Boyle County | 58 | vs. Lincoln County | 14 |
| Breathitt County | 48 | vs. Leslie County | 14 |
| Breckinridge County | 30 | at Thomas Nelson | 25 |
| Campbellsville | 35 | at Holy Cross (Louisville) | 0 |
| Caverna | 54 | at Russellville | 44 |
| No. 8 Christian Academy-Louisville | 13 | vs. Central | 6 |
| Collins | 45 | vs. Anderson County | 8 |
| Cooper | 49 | vs. Boone County | 7 |
| No. 2 Corbin | 49 | vs. Whitley County | 0 |
| No. 5 Covington Catholic | 56 | vs. Harrison County | 6 |
| Dixie Heights | 67 | vs. Scott | 7 |
| Doss | 37 | vs. Waggener | 18 |
| No. 10 DuPont Manual | 27 | at Pleasure Ridge Park | 11 |
| East Carter | 38 | vs. Lewis County | 6 |
| East Ridge | 22 | at Pike County Central | 21 |
| Eminence | 46 | vs. Berea | 0 |
| Fairdale | 35 | at Butler | 6 |
| Fairview | 56 | vs. Phelps | 27 |
| Fleming County | 36 | vs. West Carter | 7 |
| Floyd Central | 43 | vs. Prestonsburg | 28 |
| No. 15 Franklin County | 41 | at Henry County | 7 |
| Fulton County | 26 | at Ballard Memorial | 20 |
| Garrard County | 41 | at Marion County | 14 |
| Graves County | 48 | at Marshall County | 0 |
| Grayson County | 16 | vs. Seneca | 6 |
| Green County | 51 | vs. Monroe County | 28 |
| Greenwood | 26 | vs. Franklin-Simpson | 16 |
| Harlan | 32 | at Lynn Camp | 25 |
| Hart County | 22 | at Glasgow | 19 |
| Henderson County | 42 | at Daviess County | 7 |
| No. 13 Highlands | 58 | vs. Conner | 7 |
| Holy Cross (Covington) | 48 | vs. Trimble County | 6 |
| Johnson Central | 33 | at Greenup County | 13 |
| Kentucky Country Day | 35 | vs. Bethlehem | 28 |
| Knox Central | 22 | at Clay County | 12 |
| Lawrence County | 36 | at Powell County | 0 |
| Lexington Catholic | 41 | at Lloyd Memorial | 0 |
| No. 7 Lexington Christian | 51 | vs. WEB DuBois | 0 |
| Logan County | 28 | at Hopkinsville | 27 |
| Ludlow | 20 | vs. Bishop Brossart | 7 |
| Madison Central | 16 | at George Rogers Clark | 13 |
| No. 3 Male | 61 | at Fern Creek | 13 |
| Martin County | 42 | at Knott County Central | 6 |
| No. 20 Mayfield | 46 | vs. Crittenden County | 6 |
| McCracken County | 38 | vs. Christian County | 24 |
| Mercer County | 34 | at Casey County | 21 |
| Metcalfe County | 42 | at Clinton County | 6 |
| Middlesboro | 37 | vs. Williamsburg | 8 |
| Moore | 36 | vs. Bullitt Central | 21 |
| Murray | 27 | vs. Caldwell County | 7 |
| Owen County | 14 | vs. Bracken County | 6 |
| No. 12 Owensboro Catholic | 48 | vs. Edmonson County | 7 |
| No. 18 Paducah Tilghman | 70 | at Warren East | 20 |
| Paul Laurence Dunbar | 32 | at Henry Clay | 0 |
| Perry County Central | 20 | at Letcher County Central | 6 |
| No. 23 Pikeville | 46 | vs. Paintsville | 7 |
| Pulaski County | 53 | at Harlan County | 6 |
| No. 22 Raceland | 43 | vs. Paris | 13 |
| Rockcastle County | 42 | vs. McCreary Central | 12 |
| Russell | 38 | at Bath County | 8 |
| Ryle | 35 | at Great Crossing | 21 |
| Sayre | 45 | at Frankfort | 6 |
| No. 14 Scott County | 36 | at No. 25 Woodford County | 0 |
| Shelby Valley | 60 | vs. Betsy Layne | 25 |
| Simon Kenton | 27 | vs. Campbell County | 21 |
| Somerset | 50 | vs. Danville | 7 |
| South Oldham | 39 | at North Bullitt | 6 |
| Southwestern | 63 | at South Laurel | 14 |
| No. 11 St. Xavier | 43 | vs. Meade County | 0 |
| Tates Creek | 42 | vs. Lafayette | 16 |
| Taylor County | 21 | vs. North Laurel | 10 |
| No. 6 Trinity (Louisville) | 45 | vs. Eastern | 0 |
| Walton-Verona | 31 | vs. Gallatin County | 20 |
| Washington County | 47 | at Fort Knox | 0 |
| Wayne County | 44 | vs. Russell County | 23 |
| West Jessamine | 24 | vs. East Jessamine | 22 |
| Western | 48 | vs. Valley | 26 |
Saturday, Oct. 14
| No. 4 Frederick Douglass | – | at No. 17 Bryan Station | – | 12:00 PM |
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