Purples hold off Spartans to set up 5A title rematch

Published 3:21 pm Saturday, November 30, 2024

by Micheal Compton

Bowling Green football coach Mark Spader couldn’t help but feel a little bit of deja vu during Friday’s Class 5A state semifinal matchup against South Warren.

Just like the regular season, Bowling Green held a 24-14 lead early in the fourth quarter with the Spartans desperately trying to mount a comeback. Unlike last month’s meeting, when South Warren was able to rally late, it was Bowling Green that made the plays in the final minutes.

Now the Purples get a chance to repeat as 5A champions, securing a spot in the championship game with a 31-28 win at South Warren.

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Bowling Green (12-2) was able to withstand a final push to set up a rematch against Cooper on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. CST at Kroger Field in Lexington.

“Even to the bitter end I was just holding my breath because that is how it has been with the two of us playing each other,” Spader said. “It was everything I expected. They’ve got a great team, a great program. You had two teams that both of them were justifiable in going to state. I’m so glad we are on top. I am very proud of our guys.”

In the final meeting as district rivals before South Warren moves up to 6A next season, the Purples and Spartans waged another instant classic full of wild twists and turns.

Bowling Green didn’t take an offensive snap until early in the second quarter, but did so with two touchdowns already on the board courtesy of the Purples’ special teams.

Trevy Barber took the opening kickoff 93 yards to give BG the lead, but South Warren (12-2) responded with a 10-play, 82-yard drive — the final play a 3-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Button to Jake Carter that tied the score 7-7.

The Purples’ special teams struck again on the ensuing kickoff with Christopher Sweeney taking the kick and racing up the middle for an 84-yard kickoff return that gave the lead back to Bowling Green.

“Coach (Clay) Stephens and those guys did a great job getting special teams ready,” Spader said. “I’m glad it was a weapon.”

South Warren’s offense was even more methodical on its next drive. Starting at their own 3, the Spartans marched down the field to the BG 9. Bowling Green forced the Spartans into a fourth-and-goal, but Button and Carter connected again for a 9-yard strike that made the score 14-14 early in the second quarter.

Bowling Green’s offense took its first snap with 10:11 left in the half. The drive was not productive, with the Purples going backward before punting. Bowling Green senior quarterback Deuce Bailey said it took the offense a little longer to get going after watching from the sidelines for more than a quarter.

“It definitely played a factor in our first drive,” Bailey said. “Basically a whole quarter we didn’t touch the field. The first drive we had to get all those jitters out. It just took a long time to get on the field.”

Bowling Green’s next drive was more productive, with Montravion Graham racing for a 54-yard rushing touchdown that gave the Purples a 21-14 lead with 5:40 left in the half.

The Spartans had a chance to tie, getting to the BG 8 before getting stopped on downs in the final minute of the first half.

“We drove it down there and we just didn’t finish,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “We had our opportunities there and we just didn’t finish. It’s as simple as that.”

Both defenses were able to settle in to start the second half, with Braden Widener’s 38-yard field goal that gave the Purples a 10-point lead on the only score in the third quarter.

South Warren’s offense got going late in the third — an 80-yard march that ended with a Button touchdown pass to Colton Veltkamp in the opening minute of the fourth to cut the deficit to 24-21.

After both teams had a possession end in a punt, Bowling Green was able to get some distance thanks to the run game. Jaxen Smith’s 35-yard run flipped the field and the Purples kept grinding it out, with Graham’s second touchdown run of the night making the score 31-21 with 4:02 left.

“We came away from that last game and all our coaches said we’ve got to develop a running game,” Spader said. “We slowly did it and boy did it pay off tonight.”

South Warren responded with a quick touchdown drive — capped by a 5-yard keeper by Button with 2:14 remaining. The Spartans were able to force a punt, but were unable to mount a serious threat before turning it over on downs on the final drive.

“I’m so proud of our kids for digging down,” Spader said. “We scored a touchdown late with our offense. That was a real gut check. And then at the end when we put it on our defense’s shoulders they held up there.”

Bowling Green finished with 188 yards of offense. The Purples rushed for 124 yards after totaling 74 yards in the first meeting.

Graham led the way with 83 yards rushing.

“Coaches were telling me all week that it was going to be a big game for me,” Graham said. “I just believed the words that they said and trusted them. Every time I got an opportunity I took advantage of it.”

South Warren finished with 452 yards of offense. Button was 29-for-44 passing for 340 yards in his final game as a Spartan. Veltkamp had 11 catches for 105 yards.

“We had to overcome a lot there at the beginning,” Brandon Smith said. “I am really proud of our kids. I thought they did a great job of battling back. I thought we did a great job in the game except there were a few things here and there and that is the way football goes. I thought we executed well for the most part. It was just a couple of plays here and there where they made a play and that ended up costing us in the end.

“ … I think the best compliment you can ever give a team is how close they come to maxing out their potential. I think this team came as close as any team I ever coached to maxing out their potential. That is really the most satisfying thing as a team and a coach.”

Bowling Green heads to the 5A final for the third straight year, looking for a second straight title in a rematch against Cooper. The Purples defeated defeated Cooper 28-14 for the title last season.

“They’ve been rolling all year,” Spader said. “I’m sure they would love to get another piece of us, but I am so glad we get to roll up there and give them an opportunity. We will go back to work this week.”

BGHS 14 7 3 7 — 31

SWHS 7 7 0 14 — 28

First quarter

BG — Trevy Barber 93 kickoff return (Braden Widener kick), 11:40

SW — Jake Carter 3 pass from Bryce Button (Alen Alic kick), 6:57

BG — Christopher Sweeney 84 kickoff return (Widener kick), 6:32

Second quarter

SW — Carter 9 pass from Button (Alic kick), 10:11

BG — Montravion Graham 54 run (Widener kick), 5:40

Third quarter

BG — Widener 38 field goal, 2:44

Fourth quarter

SW — Colton Veltkamp 12 pass from Button (Alic kick), 11:36

BG — Graham 1 run (Widener kick), 4:02

SW — Button 5 run (Alic kick), 2:14

About Micheal Compton

I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.

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