The Bowling Green High School Purples ended their football season last year falling short of rival South Warren in the region championship 28-21. Heading into the season, the Purples were ranked highly in the preseason as they were ranked second in the Herald-Leader 5A Preseason Poll, ahead of district rival, South Warren, who were ranked third.
They have lost a total of 20 seniors and head coach, Kevin Wallace, but 21 seniors have risen this year to replace those that graduated, along with a new head coach, Mark Spader. Although many believed these changes would negatively affect the team, Evan Spader, a junior at BGHS and a safety for the football team, believes otherwise.
“Every year’s team has a different identity they play with, so it does feel different with losing guys who were big for us last year. But we get the next man up and work from there,” said Spader.
The football team started their season off with the annual Rafferty’s Bowl, which was played at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium. They won in comfortable fashion, 20-13, against Central Hardin.
When asked about this year’s goals, Spader said, “The goal every year is to win state, but besides that, we’re just looking to play to the best of our potential.”
As they were looking to restore their former glory as state champions, they faced Pleasure Ridge Park (PRP), based in Louisville, Kentucky, in their second game of the year. The Purples played well and won the game 44-7.
The team headed north to Louisville, Kentucky with a record of 2-0 to play against Saint Xavier High School and Bowling Green’s former head coach, Kevin Wallace. For many players and Coach Spader, it was a bittersweet reunion with the former coach who led the team to five state championship titles.
“Of course, there’s mixed emotions. Coach Wallace spent 22 years here as our head coach and was highly successful with multiple championships. He gave me the opportunity to coach here in 2004, and now years later I am our program's head coach. Having said that, when we kick the ball off on Friday we are Bowling Green Purples football, and we want to beat Saint Xavier (St. X) no matter who is coaching them!” said Coach Spader.
The Purples are taking the game head-on against Coach Wallace, and sophomore Jordan Dingle isn’t affected by the past.
“Him being there doesn’t give us more of a drive to beat them, however we are still playing to win,” said Dingle.
Bowling Green scored three touchdowns by junior running back Vito Tisdale to cause the game to go to overtime. As the two teams headed into overtime with a tied game, 21-21, St. X had the ball as Jeff Sexton missed a 20-yard field-goal attempt, it was Bowling Green’s chance to win the game. Bowling Green’s junior kicker, Dalton Major, secured the win with a 27-yard field goal.
The Purples are ranked second in the AP Poll Top 10 but hope and expect to improve as the season continues.
By Naid Gagulic
They have lost a total of 20 seniors and head coach, Kevin Wallace, but 21 seniors have risen this year to replace those that graduated, along with a new head coach, Mark Spader. Although many believed these changes would negatively affect the team, Evan Spader, a junior at BGHS and a safety for the football team, believes otherwise.
“Every year’s team has a different identity they play with, so it does feel different with losing guys who were big for us last year. But we get the next man up and work from there,” said Spader.
The football team started their season off with the annual Rafferty’s Bowl, which was played at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium. They won in comfortable fashion, 20-13, against Central Hardin.
When asked about this year’s goals, Spader said, “The goal every year is to win state, but besides that, we’re just looking to play to the best of our potential.”
As they were looking to restore their former glory as state champions, they faced Pleasure Ridge Park (PRP), based in Louisville, Kentucky, in their second game of the year. The Purples played well and won the game 44-7.
The team headed north to Louisville, Kentucky with a record of 2-0 to play against Saint Xavier High School and Bowling Green’s former head coach, Kevin Wallace. For many players and Coach Spader, it was a bittersweet reunion with the former coach who led the team to five state championship titles.
“Of course, there’s mixed emotions. Coach Wallace spent 22 years here as our head coach and was highly successful with multiple championships. He gave me the opportunity to coach here in 2004, and now years later I am our program's head coach. Having said that, when we kick the ball off on Friday we are Bowling Green Purples football, and we want to beat Saint Xavier (St. X) no matter who is coaching them!” said Coach Spader.
The Purples are taking the game head-on against Coach Wallace, and sophomore Jordan Dingle isn’t affected by the past.
“Him being there doesn’t give us more of a drive to beat them, however we are still playing to win,” said Dingle.
Bowling Green scored three touchdowns by junior running back Vito Tisdale to cause the game to go to overtime. As the two teams headed into overtime with a tied game, 21-21, St. X had the ball as Jeff Sexton missed a 20-yard field-goal attempt, it was Bowling Green’s chance to win the game. Bowling Green’s junior kicker, Dalton Major, secured the win with a 27-yard field goal.
The Purples are ranked second in the AP Poll Top 10 but hope and expect to improve as the season continues.
By Naid Gagulic