The Wayne County Cardinals travel to Bowling Green this Friday night to face Warren East, in a matchup of 2-0 Class 4A schools. The Cards are coming off an emotional 29-27 home win over Class 5A powerhouse Pulaski County, while East knocked off county rival and 5A foe Greenwood 37-31, at WKU's Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday night.
The matchup marks the third ever meeting between the two schools as
Wayne County posted wins of 26-20 in 1969 and 48-14 in 1970, against
what was then known as East Warren High School.
Former Wayne County head coach Jeff Griffith has landed back in
Bowling Green after two-year stints in Boone County and Barren
County, replacing the departed Justin Chaffin who left after a 4-17
mark in two seasons and the Raiders might be one of the most improved
teams in all of Class 4A. Griffith has momentum and the Raiders
flying high with impressive wins over Greenwood and 21-0 over
Portland (TN), in their opener.
"Warren East should have a lot of confidence coming off that
program's biggest win in five years and Coach Griffith has really
done an outstanding job getting those guys ready to compete on game-
night. They are an athletic football team that spreads the field on
offense and swarms the football on defense, so it will be a very
physical game," said Cards head coach Shawn Thompson.
The Raiders totaled 437 yards of offense in their win last week, and
it all starts with All-State candidate and college prospect senior
wide receiver Caleb Huskey. The stalwart had 7 receptions for 245
yards in their opener and two scores, only to follow that up with 245
yards of all-purpose work last week with TD catches of 53 and 78
yards, plus added a kickoff return score of 82 yards.
"Offensively they like to spread the field. They have a nice
quarterback with some very good receivers, with great speed, led by
the Huskey kid. I'm also very impressed with their running game, as
their offensive line was really improved on film from their first
game. Overall a very good offense with excellent skill kids and a
very physical bunch with size in the trenches," said Thompson.
Senior quarterback Dwayne Cook completed 10 of 20 passes for 291
yards and 2 TDs in their opener, while senior running back Trevor
Naftel leads the rushing attack with 278 yards and 2 scores. Another
weapon to watch is offensive back Thomas Maxey, as the junior rushed
7 times for 144 yards and a score last week.
"We have to swarm the football and tackle well sideline to sideline,
as they have kids that can run. We can't be chasing all-night, plus
our secondary can't give up plays and let people behind them," said
Thompson.
Wayne County is coming off an emotional win over Pulaski County,
which included 61 plays for 361 yards of offense, but was plagued by
three costly turnovers. Senior quarterback Lorenzo Linsey led the
charge completing 19 of 33 passes for 241 yards and 2 TDs, plus added
54 rushing yards and a score.
"Offensively we have to be able to run the football period. We have
to cut-down on our turnovers and when the opportunity comes to make a
big play, we have to make it," said Thompson.
Junior wide receiver Aubrey Weaver paced the receiving corps with 10
catches for 125 yards, which included a score from 40 yards out,
while German Ruiz rushed 15 times for 52 yards and added an 82 yard
kickoff return for a score.
"Warren East has good size on defense, and it all starts with great
linebacker play. They give you a bunch of different looks in terms
of stunts and blitzes. They swarm the ball well and are pretty
athletic, plus they are a physical bunch," said Thompson.
"Wayne County is so impressive in the fact they are all in the boat
rowing the same way, as in their game last week, nobody gets
rattled. Their offense starts with a great quarterback in Linsey,
plus all their skill-kids are just good hard-nosed football players,
which is a credit to Coach Thompson. Both sides of the ball, they
know what their coach wants and just are so dialed in to doing it.
We know Wayne County is one of the top teams in our class, so this
will be an excellent litmus test to see where we're at after a few
weeks," said Griffith.
One area that must improve in special teams is the field goal unit,
which had two extra point attempts blocked.
"We have to work on our extra point team, as up front we have to be
stepping down and getting the blocks, or that will certainly cost us
down the road," said Thompson.
The game figures to a be a spirited affair as Griffith enjoyed
success in his Wayne tenure and led Wayne County to their first ever
playoff win in 1999, a 14-12 win at Washington County. Thompson was
also a member of Griffith's staff and the two are friends, but what
about Friday night?
"We are good friends, but for 48-minutes we'll line it up and go as
hard as we can go. Warren East has a very good football team and
this will be another big challenge for our kids," said Thompson.
"Wayne County will always be a special place to me, and I have many
good friends and good memories from my years over there. I have
attended several games since I left and will always be a Wayne County
fan, but come Friday night it's about getting after it against a very
good football team," said Griffith.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Friday night at Warren East's Raider Stadium.
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