Fresh off of a 58-0 drubbing over Ohio County in the first round of the 5A playoffs, the Owensboro football team has an opportunity to knock off longtime rivals Bowling Green in a home game tonight. The Purples have won their last four matchups against the Red Devils, including a 35-14 victory earlier this season.
Bowling Green has also knocked OHS out of the playoffs in each of the last two years. Owensboro’s last win against the Purples occurred in 2020, a 17-7 playoff victory. This is the 16th time the two teams will meet in the playoffs, with Bowling Green leading the series 10-5.
“It’s a hump we have to get over, but we aren’t thinking about the rivalry,” Owensboro head coach Jay Fallin said. “We want to win a playoff game and keep playing.”
Owensboro will continue to lean on Evan Hampton to lead the effort to keep their season alive. Last week against Ohio County, the senior rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns on only seven carries. On the year, he has carried the ball 169 times for 1,549 yards and 20 touchdowns, while catching 15 passes for 107 yards and four scores.
“We need to execute and stay ahead of the sticks,” Fallin said.
Owensboro will have their hands full with Bowling Green’s defense, which in last week’s 35-7 win over Madisonville-North Hopkins recorded 6.5 sacks and picked off two passes. Despite allowing 327 total yards, the Purples only allowed one score. Fallin acknowledged that their defense is exceptional and elite at all three levels.
Since starting the season 1-3, Owensboro has won eight straight, only allowing more than 20 points once over that span. Last week against Ohio County, the defense recorded five sacks and picked off a pass.
“We need to find a way to contain their QB Deuce Bailey,” Fallin said. “He is so good at extending plays. We need to force him to get out of the ball early and pay sharp attention to the details.”
