Bowling Green High School’s Brad Bunton (top) tackles Warren Central High School running back Stephen Goodbar in the first half of their game Friday night at Warren Central High School. Photo by Clinton Lewis.

For the second week in a row, Bowling Green High Schools football team capitalized on its opponents mistakes. The Purples (4-0) took advantage of five Warren Central turnovers Friday and shutout the host Dragons 17-0. Neither team had consistent offensive output, but the Purples made the big plays when they needed them. Leading 10-0 with 1:01 remaining in the fourth quarter, Bowling Green junior linebacker Brad Booker sealed the Dragons fate. Booker picked off a Gabe Forrester pass and ran 63 yards for a touchdown. You cant say enough about him, said Bookers teammate Aaron Johnson, who ran for 68 yards on 17 carries. He makes big plays. Hell be an all-state candidate when its all over. Johnson, whos offensive explosion led Bowling Green to a 56-12 over Greenwood last week, appeared to pick up right where he left off. Early in the first quarter, Johnson rambled 73 yards on a punt return to Warren Centrals endzone. The play, however, was negated on penalty. The Purples, forced to start on Warren Centrals 42 yard-line after the penalty, hit paydirt 10 plays later. Junior quarterback Kyle Sledge hit Jonathon Burton on a 13-yard play action pass. Matt Hardinburgs extra point gave the Purples a 7-0 lead. I thought we executed well on our first three offensive drives, said Bowling Green coach Kevin Wallace. But we struggled from that point on. Warren Central had plenty of opportunities but were plagued by fumbles and interceptions. After Bowling Green scored, Terkell Boards returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards before coughing up the ball. Warren Central mounted an 11-play, 43-yard drive before Forrester was intercepted by Burton early in the second quarter. The Dragons were able to hold the Purples to a 22-yard field goal from Hardinburg. Warren Centrals got a good team, Wallace said. What happened at North Hardin last week is an aberration. And if you look at the film, they should have beat Hopkinsville. I dont really see them out of many games from now on. Warren Centrals defense held the Purples in check for most of the game, but it was Bowling Greens ability to stop the run that made the difference. The Purples held Warren Central tailback Stephen Goodbar to 36 second-half yards and only 69 for the game. Meanwhile, Forrester was picked off three times. Theres no real reason that we shouldnt be good defensively, Wallace said. We may not have Robert Reynolds, and Robert was a great player, but we have two linebackers (Brad Booker and Josh Alexander) that can make up for that loss. Warren Central, however, hung around to the very end. Casey Dye recovered a fumble deep in Warren Central territory. The Dragons took over at their own 11, and moved the ball to their 27 before being stopped on four consecutive plays. Trailing 10-0 with 3:40 left in the game, Warren Centrals Kevin Vashon punted a 57-yarder on fourth down conceding the ball back to Bowling Green. The Purples went four and out and punted back to the Dragons.With just over a minute left, Booker ended all hopes of a miracle comeback with interception return for a score. Bowling Green improved to 1-0 in Class 3-A, Region I, District II play. Warren Central is 0-1 in the district. Both teams continue districts schedules next Friday. Bowling Green travels to Logan County (1-2) while Warren Central hosts Daviess County. Bowling Green 7 3 0 7 17Warren Central 0 0 0 0   0First quarter BG – Kyle Sledge 13 pass to Jonathon Burton (Hardinburg kick) 7:09Second quarterBG – Matt Hardinburg 22 field goal 4:46Fourth quarterBG – Brad Booker 63 interception return (Hardinburg kick) 1:01