Warren East 36 - Bardstown 35

By J. Trace Kirkwood

The last time I saw a football game at Warren East was in the fall of 1984 when I went to their Homecoming with a recent alumnus who was my friend at WKU. It was somewhat of a culture shock for me because I was just weeks from having spent most of my time and life in Louisville. That's the first night I met my friend's sister, who was wickedly beautiful and also shot-down in the Homecoming Queen voting. I have to admit that I questioned the judgment of Warren East students when I met her because my friend had already told me she lost the voting.

I also remember that they played "Cow Chip Bingo" at some point during the night. Remember folks, I grew up in Louisville, and I went to a downtown school. The closest cattle to Male High School were breathing their last breaths at the Bourbon Stock Yards and Fischer's Meat Packing. I don't remember the details because I probably opted to watch my friend's sister rather than a cow standing on a football field about to have a bowel movement. The choice, well, seemed obvious.

Fast forward 24 years to Friday night in Bristow, Kentucky. I can't attest for the tastes of the Warren East student body, but I do know that Raider football team is much improved from 24 seasons ago. They play hard. Coach Ben Bruni gets the most out of his players, and they never give up. Never!

Bruni is armed with superb athletes like Shenard Holton, who is one of the best athletes in the state and runs like whirling top through defensive backfields. He also plays defense and pops players like an angry steer (I guess my memories of Warren East has left me with images of cows, which is kind of surprising to me). Antonious "Fuzz" Owens plays on both sides of the ball and can move his 205 pound frame in ways that don't seem humanly possible. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jeremy Werner pursues and destroys quarterbacks and running backs.

I anticipated a good game because East and Bardstown tangled to a 27-20 game last season with the Raiders prevailing. It was even better this season.

I could waste words describing how Shenard Holton and Fuzz Owens made impressive runs and catches to score touchdowns and how Bardstown answered back with their own touchdowns. I could do the same and describe how the Tigers ended up with a 21-14 lead at halftime.

Neither team was ever in control of the game. One of the things I love about high school football is how quickly the momentum shifts back-and-forth when two good teams are on the field. That was the case Friday night at Warren East.

The only time I thought a team might have control of the game was when Bardstown took a 35-22 lead in the fourth quarter and the Raider defense looked tired. They never looked defeated, though, and that's what counts.

After Bardstown took the commanding 13 point lead with 6:16 left in the game Warren East dug down deep and found a way to put together a quick drive. Fuzz Owens scored with 5:02 left and put the Raiders within touchdown of the visitors. I think the East fans felt a sense of hopelessness when the Raiders failed on the two point conversion.

East's defense impressed me at this point in the game. They looked tired. They played tired. Heck, they were tired. Instead of giving up they found a way to stuff the Tigers' offense, which had easily marched down the field on their previous possession. They backed Bardstown up to the one yard line, and the Tigers' punter kicked the ball from the back of the end zone to the his own 26 yard line.

Warren East took over with 2:46 left in the game. East quickly moved the ball to the goal line, but had some trouble getting through the Bardstown defensive line to score. It worked to their advantage. With 30 seconds left, Holton rushed the short yardage for the touchdown. East converted for two points and took a 36-35 lead.

Bardstown had one last chance, but I decided that their quarterback couldn't throw the ball down the field very well. They kept trying these short dump and run plays that got them nothing with a determined East defense.

The Raiders win in Cardiac Kids fashion.

That's two great football games in as many weeks. This is great!


OBSERVATIONS

Duck Footed Tigers: Some of Bardstown's players wore gold colored cleats. It made them look like they had duck feet. I wonder if they know it looks funny.

Why?: Why do football scoreboards have tenths of seconds these days. I've been watching football since I was a curtain climber when Earl Morrall played for the Miami Dolphins, and I've never seen a split second matter a whole lot at the end of a football game (in terms of on the clock). After all, the clock doesn't end a play until the ball is dead. It's a game of inches, not seconds.

Friendliest People: Warren East fans and staff are some of the friendliest. When I got my ticket and went through the gate, three people thanked me for coming to the game. After the game, I wanted to thank them for such a good show. So, if any of you are reading, THANKS!


Cow Chip Bingo Redux: I lost the cow chip bingo contest that night so long ago. I seem to remember that the cow wouldn't...well...nevermind, so they drew the numbers. I would've had the prize if the cow made the decision. It makes me wonder: How much Ex-lax would it take to make a difference for a cow?

Homecoming Queen Redux: What the heck were you people thinking?!

A Team to Watch: Watch out for the Graves County Eagles. They are 3-0 and have beaten Tilghman and Marshall County. They tangle with Mayfield next week.