Boyd Buchanan coach Grant Reynolds signals during the game against Tyner Friday, November 13, 2015 at Boyd Buchanan.Domination in the Border Bowl, the annual battle between the finest senior high school football players from Tennessee and Kentucky, went out the window almost four years ago.
Tennessee led the series 4-1, but Kentucky has since hammered out three straight wins.
Boyd-Buchanan coach Grant Reynolds hopes to snap that streak Saturday when the teams meet at University of the Cumberlands' James Taylor II Stadium in Williamsburg, Ky. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. The game was rescheduled to accommodate ESPN's request to televise the game.
This is Reynolds' first Border Bowl assignment, and the Buccaneers skipper is coming off a 10-win regular season. He previously has served as head coach for the Tennessee-Georgia all-star game sponsored by "Stump on Sports" and played in the late spring.
"To be selected as the head coach for this event is really a big deal to me," he said. "I'm honored that they thought of me for this honor. I'm proud to represent the school, the city and the state, and I'm proud to be around some pretty good coaches and players this week."
Reynolds will have two members of his staff with him. Carter Cardwell will coordinate the offense and Wes Stone will serve as defensive line coach. Another local connection on the Tennessee staff is current Jefferson County coach Kenny Cobble, a former longtime Red Bank assistant. Cobble will serve as defensive coordinator.
Loudon's Joe Campbell, Knoxville West's Jeff Harig and Memphis Central's Bryan Williams fill out the staff.
A handful of area players are scheduled to participate: Boyd-Buchanan linebacker Jake Harden (6-0, 215) and running back E.J. Matthews (5-11, 200) will be joined by East Hamilton wide receiver Jeffrey Colman (5-11, 175), Rhea County lineman/linebacker Gavin Downey (6-3, 240), Notre Dame lineman Robert Murphy (6-1, 245), Marion County quarterback Logan Walters (6-2, 192) and Bradley Central defensive back Travon Ware (6-1, 185).
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him on Twitter @wardgossett.