West football gets winning field goal by Logan Bowers in final minutes vs Hardin Valley

Logan Bowers lived a dream Friday night.

West’s senior kicker booted the game-winning 45-yard field goal with 2:12 left for a 6-3 victory over host Hardin Valley Academy.

“I’ve been dreaming about that ever since eighth grade,” Bowers said. “I quit playing soccer and I just put all my time into kicking. It’s been my dream since eighth grade. It finally came true. I’m just so proud of my team for getting me in that position.”

West (1-1) had its struggles again offensively after losing last week’s season opener to rival Bearden, 17-3.

Not so for West’s defense. It held Hardin Valley (0-2) to 151 total yards and created three turnovers (two fumble recoveries, one interception).

“The defense played really hard,” senior linebacker Cal Cook said. “We got to the quarterback, the defensive backs did their job and eliminated all the long passes. Everybody tackled well. It was just a good all-around victory.”

West trailed 3-0 at halftime and had no first downs and 4 total yards. The Rebels’ finished with 156 total yards and eight first downs.

West’s Trariq Hardin, who had 9 yards on five carries at halftime, finished with 123 yards on 24 carries.

“We challenged our offensive line at halftime, and they really stepped up to the challenge,” West coach Lamar Brown said. “And my hat’s off to Trariq. He kept trusting those guys.”

West drove 82 yards on 10 plays and set up Bowers’ 22-yard field goal as time ran out in the third quarter.

With 6:47 left, the Rebels got the ball at their 39 and moved to Hardin Valley’s 28.

West lined up for Bowers’ field goal from 45.

“I feel good with Logan from 55,” Brown said. “He’s the best kicker I’ve ever coached, and he’s the best kicker because he’s the hardest-working kicker I’ve ever coached. He’s working when we’re trying to get him to rest. He was made for that moment.”

Cook said: “I was 100 percent confident he would make it. He does it all the time in practice and we knew he’d make it.”

Bowers felt good about it, too.

“I felt pretty confident,” he said. “I just wasn’t worried about anything else. I was just worried about making it, and it went in and we got the win. Big upset. I’m proud of my team for getting me in this position.”

Dave Link is a freelance contributor.