[Stardust]

GLASGOW — Glasgow senior Hunter Bowles was doubled over in the middle of the field at Hank Royse Stadium Friday night after the Scotties knocked off Christian Academy of Louisville 21-0 in the finals of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Region 2 Championship.

This was Glasgow’s first region championship since 2001.

Bowles, with tears running down his face, was exhausted but ecstatic about what he and his teammates, his “brothers,” were able to accomplish against a very good Christian Academy team.

“This means everything to me. We went 0-11 (his freshman year) and now we’re 13-0. It is unbelievable,” said Bowles, getting hugs from teammates and coaches. “I would love to play one more game on this field. My family played here and it means the world to me.

“There is just something about this group, something special. There are no words to describe what this team has been able to do. We’re brothers and we love each other and we want to make this season special.”

And the Scotties have made this season special ... so far ... as the victory sends Glasgow to the semi-state game next Friday at Murray, who beat Owensboro Catholic 17-14.

The Scotties hit the Centurions with three solid blows in the first half that, for all intents and purposes, put the game out of reach.

After both teams exchanged possessions, the Scotties took over at the Christian Academy 43-yard line. Parker Cash opened the drive with a 12-yard pickup. And after hitting Jalen Sublett with a pass over the middle, Cash capped the five-play scoring drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. Kevin Baltazar’s extra point was good and Glasgow claimed the early 7-0 advantage.

“We wanted to try and shut (Christian Academy tailback Ivan) Talley down and make them one dimensional,” said Glasgow Coach Rick Wood. “We were able to do that. That was the key. We thought if we could make them one dimensional and keep (Christian Academy quarterback Drew) Risher in the pocket, we’ve got a shot to win.

“Christian Academy converted so many fourth downs, probably three or four just in the final quarter. But we were able to come right back and come right back. We were so resilient. I can’t say enough about what (Glasgow defensive coordinator) coach (Jeff) Garmon and his staff have done. That defensive unit doesn’t get a lot of publicity. But when you can put up goose eggs in a regional final, that’s pretty special.”

On the ensuing possession, the Glasgow defense came up big, which it has on so many different occasions this season, and kept Christian Academy at bay.

The Scotties took over after the Centurions’ punt at their own 37 and drove 63 yards on four plays for a touchdown. After a 20-yard pass to Myles Norris, Sublett dragged Christian Academy defenders 35 yards for the score. Baltazar’s kick split the uprights and with 11:50 to go in the second period, Glasgow led 14-0.

Sublett put the dagger in Christian Academy’s heart later in the period when he capped a five-play, 62-yard scoring drive, with a 14-yard touchdown run. Cash connected with Lajuan Smith during the drive on a 33-yard completion. Baltazar’s kick was good and the Scotties left the field at the break with a 21-0 lead.

Glasgow outgained Christian Academy 326 yards to 151 yards. Sublett led the way for the Scotties with 145 yards on 24 carries. Cash threw for 63 yards, but he also ran for 118 on 14 carries.

And for Christian Academy, the numbers were dismal. Talley, who had rushed for 1,600 yards coming into the game, had a total of 18 yards on 13 carries.

“I told Parker tonight that we’d have to shake him loose, that he hadn’t played well since the Green County game,” Wood said. “I didn’t want to run Sublett early, I wanted to run Parker early. We were able to spread them out and I am really proud of the offensive line. They are the unsung heroes.”

But now, the stakes are raised even higher. Much like a poker game, the Scotties are all in as they prepare for Friday’s contest.

“We’re going to get back to work and get ready,” Wood said. “There’s only four teams left and everything is so much more at stake now. If you play bad for one quarter, it can cost you. The good thing is we still haven’t played our best football.”