South Warren's Adrian Middleton readies for a play during Friday's game against Russellville. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Daily News)

Teams are having a hard time scoring against South Warren.

In part, that’s because they have to go through defensive end Adrian Middleton.

Middleton, a 6-foot-4-inch, 285-pound junior, has provided an imposing presence on the defensive front for the Spartans (2-2).

“He runs so well for a big guy,” SWHS coach Mark Nelson said. “He’s been playing pretty good technique, and they’re having to double-team him. When that happens, other people are running free.”

It’s not hard to find Middleton on the field as he overpowers offensive linemen. To match that agility Nelson speaks of, Middleton also squats 505 pounds.

“I can use my legs more, and I try to use my long arms to press the offense off me,” Middleton said. “That puts me in better position to rip off and make a tackle.”

Through the Spartans’ first three games, Middleton had 15 tackles, including a handful of sacks. He first turned heads Aug. 18, when he was named defensive MVP in South Warren’s opening 14-10 loss to Warren East in the Rafferty’s Bowl.

“I’ve done pretty good sometimes, but there have been times where I’ve really messed up,” Middleton said. “I need to cut down on missing reads and start doing more for my team.”

Middleton was ready for a big sophomore campaign last year but tore a tendon in his hand early in the season.

“I just tried to recover as quick as I could so I could be ready for this season,” he said. “I hope I don’t get injured this year, because I think we’ve got a really good team here.”

The Spartans have one of the best defenses in the state so far. They’ve allowed 29 points in four games with two shutouts, and their points allowed ties for fifth in the state and ties for first among teams that have played four games.

South Warren heads to Edmonson County at 7 p.m. Friday for a big district matchup. To keep the defense rolling, the Spartans will need Middleton’s improving services, Nelson said.

“On game night, he gets after it,” Nelson said. “He’s a young man that’s really grown into the game. He’s starting to come into his own and catch up to his body.”

Dragons full of options

Planning to key on one piece of Warren Central’s rushing attack? Good luck.

The Dragons (4-0) have handed the ball off to 14 players in four games, including 11 with at least five carries.

In Friday’s 21-7 win over Meade County, seven players carried the ball and five rushed for at least 32 yards. Senior running back Kenin Reed and sophomore fullback Emmitt Smith each had a touchdown.

“We’re playing a lot of them, and I’m getting more comfortable with those guys,” WCHS coach Mike Rogers said. “This is two weeks in a row that we’ve played five or six halfbacks and three fullbacks. Emmitt Smith is coming into his own a little bit at fullback, and Kenin can play both positions.”

Reed has carried the load with 329 yards and two TDs on 43 carries, but Smith, Rondell Green, Trevent Green, Michael Bush and Daryen Ross all have more than 10 carries.

The fresh legs have produced some big numbers, as the Dragons are averaging more than 312 rushing yards per game.

Five players have more than 100 rushing yards, and nine have touchdowns on the ground.

“We’ve got to stay healthy,” Reed said. “If we stay healthy, I think we can win state. That’s what our goal is.”

Other notes

•The 13 teams in the Daily News’ coverage area are a combined 34-18, including six unbeatens – four of them in Warren County. The five schools in Warren County are a combined 18-2.

•Bowling Green has built a three-headed monster on offense with quarterback Devin Hayes, running back Blue Tisdale and receiver Nacarius Fant – all juniors. Hayes has passed for 811 yards and 10 touchdowns, Tisdale has rushed for 306 yards and six scores, and Fant has caught 30 passes for 512 yards and 5 TDs.

•Warren East has allowed the third fewest points (35) in Class 4A. The Raiders haven’t allowed more than 18 points in a game this season.

•Butler County has started 4-0 for the second straight season and is averaging 32.5 points per game. The Bears visit unbeaten Grayson County this week.

•Butler County and Glasgow are tied for the third fewest points allowed (43) in Class 2A.

• Edmonson County senior running back Jacob Tobias scored three touchdowns in Friday’s loss to Hancock County – none of them on offense. Tobias, who also plays linebacker, found the end zone on a fumble return, interception return and kickoff return.

•Bowling Green, Greenwood and Warren Central all scored 21 points Friday after entering the week each averaging more than 41 per game. The Purples’ game was stopped midway through the second quarter because of inclement weather.