OHS season ends with loss at South Warren

November 17, 2018 | 1:03 am

Updated November 17, 2018 | 1:03 am

Tre Green tackles a South Warren player during Owensboro's loss Friday night in the region championship. | Photos by Ryan Richardson

The Owensboro football team’s run at a state title ended Friday night, as the Red Devils fell 44-7 in the region championship at South Warren.

OHS (10-3) struggled early against an imposing Spartan (13-0) defense that created constant pressure. The lone score by the Red Devils was countered by a kickoff returned for a touchdown, and Owensboro wasn’t able to stay with their game plan after getting into a 35-7 hold.

Along with allowing a special teams touchdown, the Devils fought field position early and had a few unlucky plays — including a tipped ball that resulted in an interception — and head coach Jay Fallin said it was tough to get in their usual rhythm.

“A couple breaks didn’t go our way,” he said. “All of a sudden what could have been a pretty competitive game at halftime turns into not a competitive game. Then you’re trying to play catch-up and having to do things you don’t typically do, and then you can all of a sudden find yourself really in a hole.”

Fallin didn’t take away any credit from the Spartans and head coach Brandon Smith, and he said the team knew it was going to be a tough battle.

“They do a really good job,” he said. “They’re a really, really well-coached team. We knew coming into the game that they did not have many weaknesses, if any. We were going to have to play perfectly and probably get some breaks, and we didn’t do that.”

Owensboro’s opening play was a 15-yard pass from Will Warren to Ben Flaherty, but the drive stalled and South Warren capitalized early. After picking up a first down on 3rd-and-9, the Spartans marched downfield and scored on a 9-yard pass.

The Red Devils had to punt from their own end zone on the ensuing possession, and South Warren doubled their lead.

After an interception, the Spartans again were in position to score, though the Owensboro defense forced a field goal attempt. On the kick, though, a personal foul was called against OHS, and South Warren scored on a 10-yard pass the following play for a 21-0 lead in the final minute of the first quarter.

Another sack led to an OHS punt early in the second quarter, and South Warren scored on a 43-yard pass on the first play of the drive.

The only Red Devils’ touchdown came on the next drive when Warren threw a short pass to Monte Owsley, who then beat the defense for a 52-yard score.

The Spartans returned the kickoff for the final score of the half. They added one touchdown late in the third and a field goal in the final minutes of the game.

Fallin said South Warren is well-rounded, and it comes from a team full of veteran players.

“They’re senior-laden,” he said. “The value of that cannot be overstated. Just the experience and maturity — physical, mental and emotional.”

Though they weren’t able to keep the score close, Fallin said his team never stopped fighting.

“I want to give a ton of credit to my kids because they played their tails of til the very finish,” he said. “Anybody that was here and saw it, not one of them quit. Every one of them battled until the end, and I’m very proud of them for that. It’s not easy to do when you have a margin like that.”

November 17, 2018 | 1:03 am

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