KSR Game of the Week Preview: Bowling Green vs. Frederick Douglass (Rafferty's Bowl)

In the blink of an eye, football season is back again. High schools across the state of Kentucky are gearing up to prepare for the first games of the season this weekend.

Most games will happen on Friday under the lights, but on Saturday down in Bowling Green, the local school is preparing to host their annual Rafferty’s Bowl season opener. No. 4 Bowling Green vs. No. 3 Frederick Douglass headlines the second game of a doubleheader, which also includes No. 20 Lexington Christian Academy vs. No. 1 Boyle County. Both games will be held at Western Kentucky University’s Houchens-Smith Stadium.

With such a high-profile pairing of matchups, KSR has elected to make Bowling Green vs. Frederick Douglass our first Game of the Week of the 2024 season. Kickoff between the Purples and Broncos is set for 8:00 p.m. EST (7:00 p.m. CT). Here’s what you need to know about these top five programs in what will be a perfect start to the fall season.

Bowling Green Purples

The Purples are headed into this upcoming season as the defending 5A State Champions. Led by head coach Mark Spader, Bowling Green returns many of their key players from their state championship campaign, including senior quarterback Deuce Bailey, Trevy Barber, Grayson Newman, and many more.

Much of the Purples’ success last season was generated from their offensive prowess. Bailey recorded 3,517 yards passing with 43 touchdown pass completions, averaging 234.5 yards per game and 2.9 passing touchdowns per game. His ability to read the field and find his receivers is not only what led him to his first state championship, it landed him a football scholarship to Missouri State next fall.

Trevy Barber is another weapon for the Purples. The junior wide receiver totaled 1,189 yards receiving and 16 total touchdown pass receptions. He averaged 79.1 yards receiving per game and 1.1 receiving touchdowns per game. He will be a huge to-do for Bowling Green this Saturday.

Bowling Green also leads an explosive defense. The roster is filled with disruptors, including seniors Grayson Newman and Ethan Warder. At the safety position, both Newman and Warder marked three fumble recoveries and three interceptions last season, with Newman taking two fumble recoveries to the house and Warder hauling in a pick-six last season.

Frederick Douglass Broncos

The Frederick Douglass Broncos are a consistent powerhouse in the state. Led by head coach Nathan McPeek, the Broncos are always a team to beat in their district and region.

In 2023, they reached the 6A semifinals, where they fell to eventual state champion Trinity. Having just moved to the 6A last season, the Broncos completed their adjustment period and come into this season with a chip on their shoulder and a big to-do on their agenda: their first 6A state championship.

Frederick Douglass enters this season with a huge addition to their roster in Cedric Works. The 4-star EDGE out of Northmount High School in Clayton, Ohio joins the Broncos for his senior season and is committed to the University of Kentucky.

Works finished the 2023 season with 82 tackles total, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. The Top 150 recruit will be giving Bowling Green’s offense all kinds of problems with the highly anticipated matchup against Deuce Bailey.

The Broncos offense is led by junior quarterback Jaxson Strautman. Last season, he totaled 1,505 passing yards with 18 touchdown pass completions, averaging 125.4 passing yards per game and 1.5 passing touchdowns per game.

He’ll likely find Derion Talbert in the air. The senior receiver totaled 591 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2023. He ran the ball, too, as he totaled 359 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns last season.

This game will feature tough matchups and is sure to be a great opener for the 2024 high school football season. The game will take place at Houchens L.T. Smith Stadium at Western Kentucky University this Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.