The 14th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard passed through Kentucky on Friday, January 25 to recognize
South Warren (Bowling Green, Ky.) High School and its football team for winning a state championship and earning a high national ranking.
Having upended Covington Catholic 20-16 in the
KHSAA Class 5A state championship contest, the 15-0 Spartans, who just completed their eighth varsity season, claimed their second state football title in four years and earned the No. 188 ranking in
MaxPreps' National Rankings!
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
MaxPreps and the Kentucky Army National Guard were on hand to celebrate South Warren football and present the Spartans with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy. Just before the lunch hour, the entire student body, staff, administration and community leaders filled the gymnasium to pay tribute to South Warren head coach Brandon Smith and the Spartans.
South Warren assistant principle Ken Waddell introduced MaxPreps representative Todd Townsend and Staff Sergeant George Wallace of the Kentucky Army National Guard to make the trophy presentation. Townsend brought the crowd to its feet when he asked the student body if they wanted a free t-shirt!
On cue, several seniors from the football team, along with the Army National Guard, stormed the court and threw souvenir MaxPreps Tour of Championship t-shirts into the crowd. Townsend then explained the MaxPreps Computer Ranking system and why the Spartans were being recognized before welcoming the Spartans and the coaching staff to half court.
As the fans cheered, SSG Wallace congratulated South Warren on its accomplishments and presented Smith and the Spartans with the coveted Army National Guard national ranking trophy. After handing the trophy to the Spartans, Smith thanked MaxPreps, the Army National Guard, the student body and South Warren administration for their support throughout the season. Smith then handed the microphone to senior quarterback Gavin Spurrier, the grandson of legendary football coach Steve Spurrier, who thanked everyone in attendance and turned towards his coaches and fellow Spartans.
"This is a huge honor that only 50 other football teams in the country are receiving this year. We did it! The commitment from our coaches, the hard work from each player. This award proves that if we work hard, and together, we can accomplish great things!
"Thank you for letting me be a part of your team and this school."
MaxPreps and the Army National Guard congratulate Coach Smith and the South Warren Spartans on an undefeated season, a state championship and a national ranking! Click
here to view the South Warren TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Football TOC, please visit the
MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
