KSR Game of the Week: Bryan Station vs. No. 15 South Warren kicks off the 2025 season

High school football under the lights is almost here. The first game of the 2025 season is set for Thursday, but most games across the Bluegrass will kick off on Friday. It’s going to be a busy opening stretch of action, too, with over 100 games being played between Thursday and Saturday. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s, which will actually be a bit cooler than what we’ve experienced over the last several days.

To help get the ball rolling on what should be another thrilling season in Kentucky, KSR is taking our Game of the Week to the eCampus.com Bowl, a double-header event which will be held at Lexington Christian Academy. The second game features the host school, No. 18 LCA, in a showdown against North Hardin. But we have our eyes on the first matchup between No. 15 South Warren and Bryan Station.

These two schools enter 2025 with varying levels of expectations. South Warren lost in the Class 5A semifinals last season, finishing with a 12-2 record under head coach Brandon Smith. Meanwhile, Bryan Station lost in the second round of the Class 6A tournament to finish 7-5 under head coach Phillip Hawkins.

It's officially game week in the Bluegrass! The high school football season begins Friday night across the state.

Check out KSR's preseason Top 25 rankings as we gear up for another year on the gridiron.

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Here’s what you need to know about the Spartans and Defenders ahead of Friday’s showdown. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET at LCA.

No. 15 South Warren Spartans (6A)

South Warren was bumped up from 5A to 6A this year after more realignment from the KHSAA. Based out of Bowling Green, the Spartans were three-time state champs prior to joining 6A. Smith is entering his 13th season as head coach — having an established voice leading the way into a challenging 6A division will help with the adjustment period. The Spartans lost plenty of top-end talent, but return a handful of key contributors from last season’s squad.

Leading rusher Kayden York (Sr.) and leading receiver Jake Carter (Sr.) will lead South Warren’s offense in 2025. York ran for 852 yards and a dozen touchdowns as a junior while Carter caught 52 receptions for 792 yards and 13 more touchdowns. York also suits up in the secondary, recording 48 tackles last season. South Warren will have to replace productive quarterback Bryce Button, a job that will likely go to either Camden Page (Jr.) or Chase Bell (So.), the latter already holding a handful of Division I offers.

Defensively, South Warren will bring back linebacker Drayson Moore (Sr.), who finished with 65 tackles last season, 16 for loss, to go along with four sacks. Defensive tackle JaQuise Smith (Jr.) is back after a 27-tackle season, 14 of those resulting in a loss. He also recovered a pair of fumbles. In the secondary, Isaiah Bridges (Jr.) will lead the charge after hauling in two interceptions and recording 24 tackles in 2024.

Bryan Station Defenders (6A)

Bryan Station, receiving votes in KSR’s preseason Top 25 poll, will go into 2025 with a new man running the show. J.T. Haskins — a Bryan Station alum — replaces Hawkins as head coach of the Defenders, where he’ll get to coach his talented son, Jordan Haskins, a rising junior who is considered a top 500 national recruit in the 2027 cycle. Louisville, Kentucky, and Missouri have all offered the defensive back. Haskins produced five offensive touchdowns as a sophomore while also posting 80 tackles on defense in addition to six fumble recoveries and four interceptions.

But the Defenders will need more than just a good season from Haskins in order to avenge last year’s early postseason exit as they bring back only eight combined offensive and defensive starters from 2024. Kamani Barbour (Sr.) will play a role on both sides of the ball as a pass-catcher and defensive back. Having Joel Ndayisaba (Jr.) returning at linebacker after a 48-tackle season will help. Noah Winsley (Sr.) is a name to watch in the trenches. The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle holds offers from Miami (OH) and Kent State.

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