Boyle County football wins Kentucky division 4A and secures a top-5 rank
DANVILLE, Ky. — One and a half years ago, when the Boyle County Rebels suffered a tough playoff loss by the Johnson Central Golden Eagles, nobody believed that the team would repeat such a tremendous year of 13 wins and one victory away from divisional champions.
The boys out of Danville finally did it in the past fall, a feat that seemed impossible for pretty much everyone that watched, studied and followed the Rebels’ start of the season. After only two games, the Rebels were at a 50% winning percentage by losing the second game. The Christian Eagles out of Lexington beat them 35-28 on Aug. 28.
The loss not only humbled the Rebels but also urged them to show their true colors. Since the end of August, they have proved to be tremendously dominating, passionate and powerful, with a 13-game winning streak, an undefeated record under their district and only 187 points allowed after scoring 636.
Boyle County finished the year with an overall record of 14 wins and only one loss. The 93% winning percentage, the 3-0 league record and first place in the 4A District 5 led to the ambitions of a decisive playoff run and the capacity of avoiding a failure similar to their last one when they lost against Paintsville with the score of 21-20.
The head coach of the Boyle County Rebels, Justin Haddox, has done a tremendous job of coordinating the 47 players so that everyone unlocks their full potential while doing everything they have to do as a part of the team.
Justin Haddix of @BCRebelFootball has been named the NFHS State Coach of the Year for football by @KHSAA for the 2020-21 school year. Honorees are chosen in each sport and are then considered for sectional honors. https://t.co/IfJcCKmcoX
— Advocate-Messenger Sports (@Advocate_Sports) December 8, 2021
The team’s core, the players, showed a distinctive identity and shook the whole state with their performances, which will be remembered for years to come.
The team had many players named as members of the 2021 Courier Journal All-State team.
Congratulations to our 2021 Courier Journal All-State Members! We had the most Offensive Players selected of anyone in the state! pic.twitter.com/LtZyQCc66x
— Boyle County Rebels Football (@BCRebelFootball) December 17, 2021
Quarterback Jagger Gillis was an honorable mention. Offensive linemen Andrew Hardwick and Zach Mason made the second team, while defensive lineman Tommy Ziesmer, kicker Jackson Smith and wide receiver Cole Lanter made the first team.
Lanter has committed to Kentucky Football, and later this month, it will be announced whether he is awarded the title of Mr. Football.
Consider Cole Lanter for Mr. Football! Cole consistently showed up against one of the top schedules in the state and dominated. Not many players impacted all three phases of the game the way he did. Pound for pound the best player in the state! #RebelPride pic.twitter.com/vS7UD3WHDP
— Boyle County Rebels Football (@BCRebelFootball) December 7, 2021
Gills is also in running for Mr. Football.
Consider our very own @jaggergillis for Mr. Football! Not many QBs around the state impacted or put up the numbers that Jagger did. There’s also not many QBs that started at Linebacker and put up the numbers he did as well! Jagger is one of the top two way players in the state! pic.twitter.com/zcxt51rhoL
— Boyle County Rebels Football (@BCRebelFootball) December 7, 2021
Such a dominating run in a season is not only beneficial for the team’s legacy. It is beneficial for the future of every single person who played his part in the success. Players and coaches are getting nominations for the best in the state and the district, others are committing to universities and powerhouses, and the team keeps developing and aiming to find the best talent in the state.
The Boyle County Rebels may have acquired No. 4 in the state rankings, but this means absolutely nothing for a team that’s always eager to set the bar higher every year. It is interesting to see what the Rebels do next, especially with the work they are putting in this offseason.
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