Whether Brandon Smith intended it to play out this way or not, a Class 6A school from Tennessee is giving South Warren the perfect test at the right time.

It was the case last year. It’s most certainly the same scenario this week.

South Warren (7-0) hasn’t had a real challenge in blowout wins this season, but the Spartans know that changes with Ravenwood (6-1) visiting Spartan Stadium on Friday.

The Raptors from Brentwood, Tenn., are rounding out the last of a home-and-home series with the visit north on Friday.

Ravenwood won the first meeting south of Nashville 31-17 to hand South Warren its first loss after a 7-0 start.

“It was a good game for us last year,” Smith said. “They showed us a lot of things we hadn’t figured out about ourselves to that point. It was a wakeup call for us last year in really all three phases. I think this year going into that, we’re a little more prepared for what it was like last year and what some of those weaknesses are.

“It’s going to have the same feel to it and be a measuring stick to find out where we’re at.”

Coincidentally, South Warren’s second out-of-state team on the schedule cues up a two-game stretch of games that should truly test the measure of the No. 3 team in Class 5A.

Following Ravenwood comes a bye week before hosting No. 2 Bowling Green on Oct. 19.

Those were the only two games South Warren lost in the regular season last year on its way to winning the rematch at Bowling Green in the regional final before losing to eventual 5A champion Covington Catholic in the playoff semifinals.

So far through seven games, the Spartans have yet to be seriously challenged.

They’ve scored more than any team in 5A and average 46 points per game. Running clocks have started in the first half in all but one game and most of the points allowed have come in the second half against junior varsity and freshman players.

Senior quarterback Gavin Spurrier has the offense rolling with 1,376 passing yards and 23 touchdowns to 10 different players. Clayton Bush, a Western Kentucky commit, had a career-high 219 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions in the Spartans’ 55-7 win at Greenwood last week.

“I think our team does a great job dominating coming out of the gates,” Bush said. “Some things are going to change as we play better teams and they’re not going to be intimidated and they’re going to play better. They’re going to have just as much athletic talent and size as we do. We’re going to have to play full quarters.

“We haven’t seen that yet. I think we’re plenty conditioned for four quarters.”

Ravenwood is ranked 10th in Tennessee in the Class 6A MaxPreps rankings and 25th in the state overall. The Raptors average 31 points per game and their only loss is a three-point defeat to Brentwood three weeks ago.

Ravenwood coach Matt Daniels said his team is in a similar position as South Warren with the need for a challenge late in the season.

“We’ve got a tough schedule here, but it’s not every day you get to go against an undefeated team that has put up the numbers South Warren has,” Daniels told the Daily News in a phone interview. “That’s a challenge no matter what. I think both sides are looking forward to the rematch. I think both teams enjoyed playing it last year. There’s not animosity or underlying rivalry there, so guys can go out play football and respect each other.”{&end}