South Warren Edges Out Inner City Rival Bowling Green

An inner city rivalry took place Friday night against the South Warren Spartans and the Bowling Green Purples. Both schools heading into the game set at 6-1 on the year. South Warren has lost the past 3 meetings versus the defending 5A state champs and were hoping to end that streak. In the first half, South Warren’s senior quarterback Bryce Button would put the Spartans on the board first with a rushing touchdown. On the following Spartans offensive drive, Button’s pass would be picked off by Purples defensive back Charlie Compton. The interception would lead to a Deuce Bailey touchdown pass to Trevy Barber making the game tied up and would stay 7-7 until the second half. On the Purples first drive in the third quarter, the Spartans would make a defensive stop forcing Bowling Green to a field goal putting them ahead 10-7. Shortly after, the Spartans responded as Bryce Button connected with Colton Veltkamp making it 14-10. It wouldn't take long for Bowling Green to answer back as Deuce Bailey was able to connect with his senior wide receiver CJ Sweeney for a 55 yard touchdown pass giving the Purples the lead back. On the next drive, Bryce Button would be picked off for the second time by Bowling Green senior Brandon Gurley. Shortly after getting the ball back, Deuce Bailey makes another long connection for a 53 yard touchdown to Trevy Barber and it would be his second of the game that made the lead 24-14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. It seemed that Bowling Green had this game almost wrapped up. The next Spartans offensive drive, they were able to march the ball down the field that led to a touchdown pass to Jake Carter that made the score 24-21. Shortly after the Purples took the ball back, Deuce Bailey overshot his receiver and was intercepted by South Warren’s Joseph Fentress. The interception gave the Spartans good field position and with just under 5 minutes on the clock, Bryce Button would connect again with Veltkamp for his second touchdown reception and putting South Warren back on top by 4 points. Bowling Green would take the ball back with possibly one more chance to win. The Purples ran a halfback pass to Trevy Barber who threw a perfect pass to a wide open CJ Sweeney that unfortunately was dropped. Bowling Green would march the ball down inside the red zone and with just under three minutes, Bailey’s pass was deflected and intercepted by Colton Veltkamp giving South Warren the ball back at the 24 yard line. The Spartans would take over on downs and would seem as they had the game sealed. The first play after the INT, the Spartans made a questionable play call as they tried a reverse flea flicker that led to an interception by Purples senior linebacker Grayson Newman. Bowling Green would take the ball back for a last chance to win the game with two time outs left and the ball at the 48 yard line. The Purples would move the ball down just shy of the red zone and would come up short on a fourth down play giving the South Warren Spartans the victory. The Spartans would improve to 7-1 and Bowling Green drops to 6-2 on the year.