Joshua McCoy/Daily NewsWarren Central's Tevon Boards looks for running room earlier this season against Graves County at Dragon Stadium.

Tonight’s Class 3A, District 2 championship game pits the state’s top offense against the state’s top defense.

Warren East (10-1) comes into the contest averaging 47 points per game while Bowling Green is giving up just 7.5 points per game.

But this is the second time the two teams have met this season and the last time they played, the top defense won – big time.

The Purples trounced Warren East 41-0 on Sept. 29 and a lot of things will have to be different if the Raiders are going to have a shot tonight.

&#8220We have to make plays, big ones,” East coach Ben Bruni said. &#8220Bowling Green is good in every aspect of the game. The only way to have a chance against them is to take a small play and turn it into a big one. And trust me, you won’t get many opportunities to do that.”

For Bowling Green coach Kevin Wallace, the key to victory this week is simple.

&#8220We need to execute our game plan this week to have success,” Wallace said. &#8220Our players are looking forward to playing this week. We are approaching each week as a season. This is not a time of year to look ahead to anyone.”

In the earlier meeting between the two teams, Bowling Green led 34-0 at halftime after scoring on all six of its first-half possessions. The Purples defense was equally dominant, giving up just one first down through the initial two quarters.

&#8220Our kids realize we’re facing a pretty steep mountain here,” Bruni said. &#8220But, that being said, we’re also 10-1 and these kids know how to win. I think these young men understand that we have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this game.”

Wallace said he doesn’t expect sweeping changes in the Raiders’ gameplan.

&#8220They are the leading scoring team in the state in Class AAA, so I am not sure why they would make big changes,” the BGHS coach said.

Last week in the first round, Warren East advanced with a 28-21 win over Franklin-Simpson – the Raiders’ first postseason victory in 25 years.

&#8220Franklin was a huge win,” Bruni said. &#8220Franklin is a perennial power in this part of the state, and to beat them twice in a season was one more step in the right direction for us. We’re not going to become BG or Warren Central overnight. This is just the beginning of a long, long process of changing mindsets and expectations.”

The win didn’t come without a price, however.

Raiders starting quarterback Jordan Ellis injured his throwing shoulder in the game and will miss the rest of the season.

&#8220Jordan has been an excellent leader of our offense and allowed us to do things that we’re now probably going to shy away from a little,” Bruni said. &#8220That being said, (senior) Jaron Weigel is as good a backup as one could ask for. Jaron has started 17 games at quarterback over the past three years, including our 2005 playoff game, so I think we’ll still be pretty solid at the position.”

Bowling Green advanced with a 49-6 win over Allen County-Scottsville last week.

Even with the blowout win, Wallace said his team can still improve.

&#8220I can never remember a time when I thought we had no room for improvement,” he said. &#8220We need to develop a level of consistency in our play for four quarters.”

Graves County (9-2) at Warren Central (9-2)

The Dragons held on for a first-round victory over Marshall County last week, while Graves County pulled off a first-round upset with a victory at Christian County.

Warren Central beat the Eagles 39-14 on Sept. 29. That was the most points the Graves County defense has given up all season.

In that contest, the Dragons racked up more than 500 yards of total offense – all without starting running back Darrious Brooks. Backup Tevon Boards and fullback Aaron Rhodes had two touchdowns apiece against Graves County.

While Central had its ground game running wild against Graves County the last time, the Dragons also have one of Class 4A’s top passing games.

Senior quarterback Blake Ayers is ranked ninth in the state with 173 yards per game. He also has 17 touchdown passes. His top target, wide receiver Nikko Beason, is ranked sixth in the state with 93.5 yards per game. His 13 touchdown catches puts him in a tie for third in Class 4A.

The winner of tonight’s game faces Owensboro or Henderson County next week for the Class 4A, Region 1 title and a spot in the state semifinals.

Glasgow (4-7) at Owensboro Catholic (7-4)

The Scotties pulled off a stunner last week by knocking off No. 1 seeded Monroe County 28-20.

Just a week earlier, the Falcons shut out Glasgow 19-0 in the last game of the regular season.

Glasgow has a chance to get another upset this week against the Aces.

The last time the two teams met, Owensboro Catholic hammered Glasgow 49-7 on Oct. 20.

The winner of tonight’s game faces Caldwell County or Trigg County for the Class 2A, Region 1 title.

Russellville (8-3) at Metcalfe County (9-2)

The Panthers spent the past two weeks playing at Crittenden County.

After losing two weeks ago in the regular season finale, Russellville rebounded last week for a 34-28 win in the first round of the Class A playoffs.

Now the Panthers will try and knock off the Hornets, the No. 1 seed in District 2.

In the earlier matchup between the two squads, Metcalfe County won 33-0.

The winner faces Mayfield or Murray for the Region 1 title.