South Warren’s Christian Winn runs through a hole in the line Friday against Bowling Green. Winn ran for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

Beating Bowling Green has traditionally been as good as it gets in Class 5A. South Warren did just that last week, and the Spartans’ reward is facing a team that hasn’t shown any weakness this year as the heavy favorite to claim the 5A crown.

Just add it to the list of games this postseason South Warren isn’t supposed to win.

“We’ve been the underdog all year,” South Warren senior linebacker Pete Cross said. “I think someone said we were projected to win three games all year and we’re 11-2. I think that’s been our personality all year is underdogs.”

In their first year competing in 5A, the Spartans (11-2) are one game away from a state championship game appearance in Lexington. South Warren will host Covington Catholic (13-0) at 6 p.m. Friday at Spartan Stadium.

Covington Catholic has been the No. 1 team in 5A since Week 3 of the regular season, and for good reason. The Colonels allow just one touchdown per game while racking up 45 points per game.

Covington Catholic rolls into South Warren with Miami (Ohio) commit AJ Mayer at quarterback and a 1,320-yard, 21-touchdown running back in Casey McGinness.

It’s South Warren’s third straight tall order in the postseason. The Spartans handed Christian County its first loss in the second round of the playoffs two weeks ago, then went to Bowling Green and upset the Purples in a revenge game last week in the region final.

“We knew that we weren’t going to be picked in any preseason polls or even in our own district and that’s kind of the approach we took, and really that’s kind of the easier route to go,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “Coming into the playoffs losing two out of three, we kind of regrouped and it was the same approach. Our guys have done a great job of taking that and playing with a chip on their shoulder not just playing on Friday night, but really in their preparation.”

The Spartans’ defense will have to come with similar intensity it’s had the past two weeks to even have a chance at slowing down Covington Catholic. South Warren intercepted Christian County four times before rocking the Purples’ offense with five sacks and Beau Buchanan’s first three interceptions in the Spartans’ 28-21 win last week.

“Everyone will need to step up in this game,” Cross said. “I think it’ll be tougher than last week. They’re a really good team.”

That might be understating the matter.

The closest game Covington Catholic has played was a 49-17 season-opening win over 6A Ryle. The Colonels roared through the playoffs by beating Bullitt East 56-14, Bullitt Central 49-0 and South Oldham last week 49-7. In each of those games, all of Covington Catholic’s points were scored in the first half.

Mayer has thrown for 2,438 yards and 33 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 10 scores. Defensively, the Colonels have hauled in 16 interceptions and recovered seven fumbles.

“You look on film and they don’t have a weakness,” Smith said. “They’re really good. They don’t beat themselves and they’re really well-coached. You’re not sure what to worry about more, the offense or the defense because they’re outstanding at both. They really don’t have a weakness.”

South Warren was able to get its run game going against the Purples last week behind Christian Winn’s 166 yards and three touchdowns. The senior running back is up to 378 yards and six scores in three postseason games.

The Spartans would like that trend to continue but recognize the challenge ahead considering no one has yet been able to crack Covington Catholic.

“You see if teams before you have found some weaknesses and things you can do, but no one has,” Smith said. “That’s the challenge preparing for a team of their caliber and what they’ve done this year. You try to exploit or try to take advantage of things, and with those guys it’s really difficult.”{&end}