Daily News/Miranda Pederson

Paducah Tilghman High Schools football team had a lot going for it heading into Fridays second-round Class 3A playoff game against Bowling Green. It had the states No. 2 passer in sophomore quarterback Hunter Cantwell, as well as the second best throwing team in Class 3A.It also had two receivers seniors Ahmona Maxwell and Bryan Hamilton ranked among the states top 10 for pass-catching yards per game. And, as if that wasnt daunting enough, the Blue Tornado also sported sophomore running back Joe Casey, who was ranked among the states top 10 rushers. All things considered, that combination seemed like a potential formula for disaster for any opposing team, right?Wrong. Undaunted, Bowling Green, propelled by its backfield, an offensive line that tirelessly opened holes for its running backs and an opportunistic defense, beat Paducah Tilghman in a high scoring 52-40 affair Friday at El Donaldson Stadium. We knew we could stop em, said Purples senior defensive end Jay Bradford, who scored his fifth career defensive touchdown and had two fumble recoveries on the night. … We had a great week of practice. We prepared well. We dont freak out when we see those stats. Its exciting to us. Its a challenge. Blue Tornado coach Perry Thomas best summed up the game. I think it was just a matter of their kids just started making the plays and ours, and ours didnt, he said. Bradford swung the momentum in the Purples favor permanently with his two fumble recoveries, both of which came in the fourth quarter. The senior recovered a handoff bobbled by Casey inside the Blue Tornados 20 and returned it to the 9-yard line on the second play of the fourth quarter. Two plays later, senior running back Aaron Johnson, who set a school record with five rushing touchdowns in a game, ran it in from seven yards out to give the Purples a 44-34 lead with 11:08 to go. Then, on Matt Hardenbergs kickoff two more plays later, Bradford picked up a Curtis Hamilton fumble at Tilghmans 15 and ran it in to ice the game at 51-34.They just kind of popped out right in front of me, Bradford said of his two fumble recoveries. … I must be one of the luckiest people. They always pop out in front of me. Bowling Green took its first lead of the game on Johnsons 1-yard run, which was set up by teammate C.J. Sullivans huge 26-yard gain, with 2:05 left in the third quarter. The Purples (10-2) never would trail again. Im just proud of our kids, Bowling Green coach Kevin Wallace said. We beat a very good football team with some exceptional players performing in a scheme that fits their talents well. Johnson led all rushers with 182 yards and his five scores on 19 carries. It wasnt all me, said Johnson, who also completed a 56-yard halfback pass to Evan Walker. It was my offensive line. Running back Terrell Green finished with 99 yards on 17 carries for the Purples and Sullivan added 51 on eight. Bowling Green finished with 425 yards of total offense. Cantwell threw for an eye-popping 406 yards and six touchdowns four to Maxwell on 26-of-49 passing. Tilghman (8-4) finished with 517 yards of total offense. Casey ran for 135 yards on 18 carries. Bowling Green next will face Hopkinsville, another high-powered offensive team, next Friday for the Region 1 championship in an away game. Hopkinsville beat Franklin-Simpson 36-16 Friday to advance to the regional championship. I dont think theyre really a threat to us, just as long as we prepare well and come out and play hard, Bradford said. Paducah Tilghman 14 13 7 6-40Bowling Green 7 10 21 14-52Hopkinsville 36Franklin-Simpson 16Franklin-Simpson (8-4) held a 16-14 lead at Hopkinsville on Friday, but Hopkinsville stormed back for 22 fourth-quarter points.