On paper, Owensboro and Frederick Douglass couldn’t match up much more evenly.
So, when they face off in Lexington at 5 p.m. CST Friday in the 5A state semifinals, it should be a battle to see which team moves on to the title game next week.
“When you get to this point there aren’t going to be any bad teams,” said Owensboro head coach Jay Fallin. “Frederick Douglass is very talented and they’re well-coached. Their coaches are going to put them in a position to be successful.”
Fallin said the Red Devils are excited to make their first semifinal appearance in five years, and the players have been working hard to keep their season alive.
“It’s been a really good week of practice,” he said. “Any time you get to the semifinals, there’s a little bit different feeling that week and a much higher degree of focus and enthusiasm and excitement among the players and coaches.”
The Red Devils (12-1) and Broncos (13-0) have been driven by impressive defenses, as they’ve allowed the fewest points of any two teams across all classes in Kentucky.
Owensboro has allowed 73 total points (5.6 per game) with six shutouts, allowing no more than 17 points in any game. Douglass has given up 67 points (5.2 per game) with nine shutouts, allowing 31 in their most narrow win of the year.
The Broncos also have a slight edge in offensive scoring, averaging 44.4 points per game compared to 38.9 for the Red Devils.
In terms of yardage, Douglass averages 375.5 gained and 143 allowed, while OHS averages 356.1 gained and 144.4 allowed.
“Their strength of their team is their offensive and defensive line,” Fallin said. “We feel like we match up pretty well in those two areas. They’ve also got some great ball carriers.”
The Broncos rely most heavily on the run for offensive production, with quarterback Josh McClurg leading the team with 979 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s also thrown for 1,356 yards and 17 scores.
Brothers Darius and Devin Neal have added more than 1,250 yards and 21 touchdowns out of the backfield, while leading receiver Dane Key has 502 yards and seven scores.
Owensboro’s offense has been a bit more balanced but leans more on the pass game. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has thrown for 2,560 yards and 27 touchdowns, adding a team-high 12 rushing scores with 545 yards on the ground.
Receivers Treyvon Tinsley and Tyren Hayden have combined for roughly 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. Ethan Avery leads the rushing attack with 663 yards and 10 trips to the end zone in nine games.
Fallin said one of the biggest keys to winning is simply executing in all phases of the game.
“At this point in the season, you can’t beat yourself,” he said. “You have to give yourself an opportunity to win the game at the end and not make the mistakes that hurt you.”
Though Douglass is one of the best teams the Red Devils have faced this year, Fallin is confident in his guys.
“We feel like we’ve got a great opportunity to go up there and win,” he said. “We expect them to be a really well-coached and disciplined and tough football team like us, so we’re expecting a great game.”
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