After a convincing win in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs, the South Warren football team will look to keep it going with a step up in class – hosting Graves County on Friday at 7 p.m.

South Warren (10-1) has won six straight – with five wins by 31 points or more – but faces a Graves County team that was ranked No. 8 in 5A in the final statewide media poll. The Eagles (9-2) have also won six straight, including a 21-9 win over Greenwood last week.

“I feel like we have been executing well the last couple of weeks, doing what we are supposed to do,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “It’s definitely going to kick up a notch this week. I think Graves County does a lot of things that will give us problems. They are really well coached and they expect to win. Whenever a team expects to win, then it is a different type of game.”

Graves County features a balanced offense capable of piling up points in bunches. Quarterback Kaden Gregory has thrown for 1,725 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding 329 yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Three players have rushed for more than 300 yards – led by Denis Marrs (752 yards) – while three players have more than 350 yards receiving.

Smith said Graves County’s offensive style is similar to Bowling Green, with both teams doing similar things with similar philosophies.

“It’s not like you can say, ‘Hey, we just have to stop this guy,’ ” Smith said. “They are really well balanced, running and passing, and they spread it around to everybody. The quarterback is mobile. He can take it off and run. This type of offense is the hardest offense to stop.”

Defensively, Graves County has 23 interceptions – seven by Raygon Mathis – and six fumble recoveries, part of a stingy defense that has allowed nine points or less four times during its current win streak. Jake Throgmorton leads the Eagles with seven sacks, while Kace Tubbs has 129 total tackles, 11 for losses.

“They do some different things than what we have seen for most of the season,” Smith said. “The best thing they do defensively is they are extremely disciplined. They are locked into their keys. They are going to read them and they are going to do what they are supposed to do on every play. They are very aggressive – linebackers are very aggressive type players. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us.”

Smith said the game will come down to who can take care of the ball, with special teams play another key to victory.

“Turnovers have a lot to do with it, especially in playoff games when the weather starts to change, and then special teams,” Smith said. “When you are playing against a good team, field position has a whole lot to do with it. If you execute in your kicking games and your returns, then you are going to be in a better spot (to win).”