Bowling Green advances to the 5A State Championship

  After losing the matchup at home in October, the Bowling Green Purples were hoping to get another shot of the South Warren Spartans in the class 5A playoffs. The two inner city rivals met once again but this time in the semifinals at South Warren’s home field and whoever won this matchup would advance to the state championship. South Warren would win the toss and defer to the second half. On the opening kickoff, Purples junior speedy wide receiver Trevy Barber would get a few blocks and take it to the house as Bowling Green grabbed the early lead. South Warren would take the ball for their first drive and march the ball quickly down the field. The Spartans senior star quarterback Bryce Button would find his receiver Jake Carter for a four yard touchdown pass and brought the score within even. Bowling Green would respond would with another kickoff return for a touchdown but this time by CJ Sweeney as the Purples would grab the lead again 14-7. At the beginning of the second quarter, Button would find Carter again from 9 yards and tied the game up once again. With under six minutes in the second quarter, Bowling Green running back Trey Graham would find his way to the end zone for a 54 yard rushing touchdown putting the Purples back on top 21-14. The next scoring playing wouldn’t come until the third quarter when Purple’s kicker Braden Widener knocks it through the uprights for a 37 yard field goal and extending their lead by 10. As the fourth quarter began, the Spartans had the ball down in the red zone and Bryce Button would find a wide open Colton Veltkamp across the middle brining the deficit within three. Bowling Green would respond back by marching the ball down the field and with under five minutes left, running back Jaxen Smith would score and extend the Purple’s lead once again by 10. South Warren would take the ball back on a very important drive. With under three minutes, Bryce Button would run his way up the middle for a six yard touchdown as the Purple’s lead would shrink 31-28. The Spartans would fail an onside kick but the Purples were unable to convert on a third down play and had to punt. South Warren would have one last shot to win the game but on 4th & 4 Bryce Button would be sacked by Montez Trussell. Bowling Green would take the ball back and one last kneel down by Deuce Bailey would seal the deal for the Purples and would win 31-28. The Bowling Green Purples advance to the 5A state championship for the third consecutive year in a row and will face once again the Cooper Jaguars who they defeated in last year’s final.