First-half plays lift Falcons over Warren Central

Published 1:22 pm Saturday, August 22, 2026

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Warren Central’s LaTavyon Dunn (5) attempts to avoid a tackle during the Dragons game against Monroe County on Friday, August 21, 2023 at Warren Central High School in Bowling Green, Ky. (Caleb Lowndes / Daily News)
(Caleb Lowndes)

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Warren Central’s RaMaun North (0) attempts to avoid a tackle during the Dragons game against Monroe County on Friday, August 21, 2023 at Warren Central High School in Bowling Green, Ky. (Caleb Lowndes / Daily News)
(Caleb Lowndes)

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Warren Central’s Kingston Wilkinson (3) makes a catch during the Dragons game against Monroe County on Friday, August 21, 2023 at Warren Central High School in Bowling Green, Ky. (Caleb Lowndes / Daily News)
(Caleb Lowndes)

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Warren Central’s LaTavyon Dunn (5) looks to pass during the Dragons game against Monroe County on Friday, August 21, 2023 at Warren Central High School in Bowling Green, Ky. (Caleb Lowndes / Daily News)
(Caleb Lowndes)

The Warren Central football team couldn’t overcome some early mistakes, falling to Monroe County 21-0 on Friday at Warren Central High School.

Monroe County (1-0) dominated possession in the first half, scoring all the points needed to hold off the Dragons and spoil the head coaching debut of Kenny Davidson.

Warren Central (0-1) was done efficiently, with Falcons sustaining drives by going 4-for-5 on third downs and converting the only fourth-down attempt in the opening half.

“We had them third, fourth and long four times in the first half,” Davidson said. “We bailed them out and those led to touchdowns. The second half, maybe, what, one first down? I thought we played well in the second half. We can’t say it’s jitters. We just have to be more disciplined … (but) I did see some positive things.”

Monroe County set the tone on the opening drive, going 12 plays, 66 yards – capped by a 1-yard keeper from Trace England. The Falcons converted three third downs and a fourth-and-12 on a drive that ate up nearly eight minutes on the clock.

After Warren Central’s nine-play opening drive was stopped at the Monroe County 34, the Falcons only needed four plays to score again – with a 32-yard pass from England to Levi Miller setting up a direct snap to Reece Bartley for a 1-yard touchdown that made the score 14-0 with 9:37 left in the first half.

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Monroe County added one more score right before half – a 27-yard wheel route from England to Bartley on second-and-19 with 23.3 seconds remaining that gave the Falcons a three-score lead.

“The most important eight minutes of the game are the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half,” Davidson said. “If we go down 14-0 and get the ball to start the second half and score it is a different ballgame. It’s a backbreaker when we are undisciplined and we give up a touchdown with 23 seconds left in the first half.”

Both defenses pitched shutouts in the second half.

Warren Central held Monroe County to less than 50 yards in the final two quarters, forcing a pair of turnovers.

“We were not a disciplined football team in the first half,” Davidson said. “The second half we came out and played a lot better, but we gotta put it all together.”

The Dragons offense was unable to take advantage – totaling 135 yards on the night. Warren Central was in Monroe County territory on multiple drives but couldn’t take advantage – with Bartley’s fourth-quarter interception capping his big night and pretty much ending any comeback bid.

“Reese is a heck’uva football player,” Monroe County coach John Petett said. “He never comes off the field for us. We are having to ride on his shoulders right now. He’s got the most experience of anybody that is coming back playing. We are going to ride him for a couple weeks here and get everybody else better and see what we have for Allen County.”

LaTavyon Dunn threw for 55 yards for the Dragons, while Derwin Carver led Warren Central with 48 yards rushing on eight carries.

England finished 8-for-23 passing for 146 yards and added 37 yards on the ground. Griffin Spears had 100 total yards, while Bartley totaled 51 yards – accounting for two scores.

“We felt like we had to get out early and try to wear them down a little bit,” Petett said. “We were playing nine both ways there and we felt like conditioning would come in late and help us out a little bit. That was one of the main important things for us. We didn’t play great offensively the second half, but we fought. That’s a good football team. They are much-improved, well-coached. Kenny does a great job and I think the world of him. There are some things we have to shore up, but I am tickled to death to get out of here with the win.”

Both teams return to action on Aug. 28, with Warren Central hosting Franklin-Simpson and Monroe County hosting Allen County-Scottsville.

MCHS 7 14 0 0 – 21

WCHS 0 0 0 0 – 0

First quarter

MC – Trace England 1 run (Bradyn Day-Quick kick), 4:39

Second quarter

MC – Reece Bartley 1 run (Day-Quick kick), 9:37

MC – Bartley 27 pass from England (Day-Quick kick), 0:23.3

About Micheal Compton

I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.

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