Kroger KSR Game of the Week Preview: Southwestern at North Laurel

On3 imageby:Brady Byrdwell09/29/22

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The undefeated Southwestern Warriors (5-0) travel to London this Friday to take on the North Laurel Jaguars (4-1) in the Kroger KSR Game of the Week. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.

The KSR crew has yet to see a close game thus far in Kroger KSR Game of the Weeks. However, that is believed to change when these two red-hot 5A programs meet. The Southwestern Warriors out of Somerset have won three of the last four matchups against North Laurel. 

Former Pineville head coach Jason Chappell has taken over North Laurel this year. His 4-1 start is significant for a program that had to replace coach Chris Larkey, who left for Rockcastle County in December. The Jaguars went 8-3 last year and are looking to go deep into the 5A playoffs in 2022.

Now on to the scouting reports.

Southwestern Looks to Continue Win Streak

The Warriors (#21) and Jaguars (#27) are included in KSR’s Week 6 Kentucky HS Football rankings, setting up a Friday night lights matchup that you won’t want to miss. 

Southwestern has hit the ground running and has yet to be slowed down. They’ve beat Madison Southern, West Jessamine, Simon Kenton, Mercer, and Lincoln County by a combined score of 208-71. 

Junior QB Colin Burton leads the Warriors. He’s been tearing up the competition thus far. His stats will make any opposing coordinator shake. 543 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions — sounds good, doesn’t it?

Senior Tanner Wright leads the team in rushes with 64. accounting for 614 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns. That averages out to 122.8 rushing yards per game… sheesh. Mason Hibbard leads the Warriors in receiving with 294 yards and four touchdowns. 

Not Just a Basketball School

North Laurel has enjoyed an excellent start to the 2022 season. After suffering a loss to Bell County, the Jaguars have caught fire. They started a four-game winning streak with a one-point win over Johnson Central. The Jags followed that with wins over Shelby Valley and Barren County.

Following the two wins came a matchup with crosstown rivals South Laurel. Suffice it to say; it wasn’t much of a contest. Does a 43-point shutout sound like a good performance? I think so.

The Jaguars also have a junior starting under center. Tucker Warren has matched Colin Burton with six touchdowns. However, he has also rushed for six touchdowns. The problem is Warren has thrown three interceptions. But, he’s thrown for 611 yards, only three less than Burton.

Friday night will have a great matchup at the quarterback position. However, don’t overlook the matchup in the backfield. North Laurel’s Ethan Gregory has rushed for 624 yards on 87 rushes. Greggory has got into the end-zone six times. 

The defense is anchored by junior LB Jack Chappell and senior DT Clay Morris. Morris has an astounding 51 total tackles this year. The defense will need to step up in order to beat Southwestern.

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2024-03-27