Only 24 football teams remain in the state of Kentucky and only four in each class as it’s semifinal week across the Commonwealth.
While Owensboro and Frederick Douglass are battling it out at Rash Stadium Friday night, Bowling Green and Covington Catholic will be in a fight themselves in Park Hills.
The Colonels took down the Purples in last year’s state semifinal en route to a state championship over the aforementioned Broncos but the Purples are looking to make their mark on 5A with a victory to cement their spot in next week’s state final at Kroger Field.
Bowling Green @ Covington Catholic
Time: 5 p.m. CST
Location: Dennis Griffin Stadium, Park Hills
The Colonels cruised by Bowling Green last season 28-0 in the semifinals as the Purples didn’t put up a challenge against the powerhouse that is Covington Catholic.
Bowling Green’s only losses this season were to South Warren (10-7) and Trinity (42-7) but the Purples have won three-straight in convincing fashion, including a 55-7 drumming of North Bullitt last week in the quarterfinals. BG’s last state title came in 2016 as they took down Pulaski County 70-22 at Houchens Stadium in Bowling Green.
Conner Cooper has thrown for 1,628 yards with 13 touchdowns and 5 interceptions but he’s also run for 322 yards and 4 scores on the ground.
Javeius Bunton leads the Purples in rushing with 887 yards and 18 touchdowns while Eli Burwash had chipped in 162 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Six Bowling Green players have at least 10 catches and 140 yards with Jordan Dingle (473 yards, 2 touchdowns) leading the way. Burwash (317 yards, 4 touchdowns), Tyler Strode (259 yards, 3 touchdowns), Bunton (232 yards, 2 touchdowns), Will Vale (161 yards, touchdown) and Dezmond Wilson (144 yards, touchdown) have all been favorite receivers for Cooper.
Rece Jones leads the Purples defense with 111 tackles, 4 TFL and 3 sacks on the season. Bowling Green has 26 takeaways (16 interceptions, 10 fumbles) with Seth Rainville and Bert Kibawa each pulling down three picks a piece.
Covington Catholic is 10-1 this season with its lone loss coming in a 29-28 thriller to Lexington Catholic in the regular-season finale.
The Colonels took down Frederick Douglass 14-7 in last year’s 5A State Championship game.
Caleb Jones has thrown for 1,689 yards with 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions but Jones also leads the Colonels in rushing with 508 yards and 15 scores on the ground.
Owen Nally (391 yards, 7 touchdowns), Ryan Schneider (234 yards, touchdown), Brayden Collins (219 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Reid Hummel (150 yards, touchdown) are all threats to run the football for the Cols.
Ethan Reardon has 38 catches for 697 yards and 4 touchdowns while Schneider (332 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Garrett Benke (171 yards, touchdown) have also helped Jones in the passing game.
Benjamin Dickhaus leads Cov Cath with 59 tackles, 11 TFL and 6.5 sacks. Schneider and Zion Mason each have two interceptions and a pick six this season.
Bowling Green and Covington Catholic hit the field Friday night.
