Kroger’s KSR Game of the Week: Southwestern vs. Pulaski

We are excited to have our friends at Kroger on board as we bring you high school football coverage this fall. Each week Kroger will present the KSR High School Game of the Week. We will travel to the featured game each week to bring you the best sights, sounds and incredible moments. Together we’re happy supporters of “KY Proud Products” and the “Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.”

KSR will travel down to Somerset on Friday for a battle between two county rivals in the 2^nd round of the Class 5A playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Close Games

When these schools get together it is usually a barn burner.

2018: Pulaski County 21 Southwestern 14
2018: Pulaski County 13 Southwestern 6 (3^rd Round of 5A playoffs)
2019: Southwestern 15 Pulaski County 7 (overtime)
2019: Southwestern 17 Pulaski County 7 (2^nd Round of 5A playoffs)
2020: Pulaski County 15 Southwestern 13

Wild Pirate

Pulaski County defeated Southwestern 15-13 in exciting fashion earlier this season at Southwestern. Southwestern knew what was coming but simply couldn’t stop it. Pulaski County inserted Tristan Cox as QB on the final drive. The Purdue linebacker commit came in and ran the Wildcat, or as Pulaski County calls it the “Wild Pirate” formation, every single play. He methodically moved them down the field before rushing for a touchdown with six seconds left. Without any timeouts remaining, had he been tackled the game would have ended. The 6-foot-3 235 lbs. Cox reminded me of Benny Snell running the Wildcat for UK. The win is why Pulaski County will be hosting Southwestern in the second round of the playoffs.

Here is the game winning play. Warning – There is expletive language.

TRISTAN COX FOOTBALL! the purdue committ LB/RB leads the way to beat cross town rivals southwestern high!!! @KYHighFootball @12thSports @NateInSports @Tcox022 @JohnHines66 pic.twitter.com/rpSXJmnd0d

— Nate Unthank (@NateUnthank) October 24, 2020

Pulaski County’s starting quarterback, Drew Polston, did not play in this game. He injured his ankle the week before and has not played since. Unfortunately, he is still rehabbing the injury and will miss Friday’s game. He was 122-of-164 for 1,321 yards, with 12 TDs and 3 picks. He is one of the best junior QBs in the state.

Southwestern

— KSR State Ranking: Not ranked

— State Championships: None

— State Runner-up: None

— Last Season: Finished 7-6, Lost to Frederick Douglass 44-8 in 3^rd round of Class 5A playoffs

— This Season (9-1):

Defeated Wayne County 42-41
Defeated George Rogers Clark 15-13
Defeated Knox Central 22-20
Defeated North Laurel 28-12
Defeated Whitley County 27-6
Defeated South Laurel 52-14
Lost to #24 Pulaski County 15-12
Defeated Madison Central 41-35
Defeated Bullitt Central 49-33
Defeated Whitely County 42-15 (1^st round of 5A playoffs)

Key Players

Jr RB/DB Tanner Wright – Has 175 carriers for 1,219 yards and 12 scores.

Jr RB/ LB Giddeon Brainard – Has 73 carries for 675 yards and team high 15 TDs.

Sr TE/ DL Cody Harmon – Has 42 tackles, 19 TFL, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.

Pulaski County

— KSR State Ranking: #24 in final regular season rankings

— State Championships: 1 (2014)

— State Runner-up: 3 (2013, 2015, 2016) – All 3 losses were to Bowling Green

— Last Season: Finished 7-4, Lost to Southwestern 17-7 in the 1^st round of 5A Playoffs

— This Season (8-1):

Lost to #18 Belfry 33-14
Defeated Madison Southern 21-15
Defeated Whitley County 50-36
Defeated South Laurel 58-32
Defeated North Laurel 41-18
Defeated East Jessamine 36-13
Defeated Southwestern 15-12
Defeated Tates Creek 42-19
Defeated North Laurel 33-12 (1^st round of 5A playoffs)

Key Players

Sr RB/LB Tristan Cox– Will play on the defensive side of the ball for the Purdue Boilermakers. One of the top players in Kentucky and a member of the KSR All-State Football Team. Has 106 tackles. He also plays some on offense and has 8 rushing TDs.

So WR Barek Williams – Has 79 receptions for 794 yards and 9 scores.

So S Cody Nichols – Has 97 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and an interception.