With an estimated 5,000 fans, Tennessee took the spotlight, along with the trophy, in the end with a final score of 23-13.

With over 400 applications from all over Kentucky and Tennessee, a committee was selected to hand pick the best of the best from both states and welcome them to their first bowl game. From each state, 49 players were selected and brought to Williamsburg, KY to participate in 3-a-days for two straight days before competing on Saturday. This game was one that no player or coach would ever forget. Kentucky’s coaches, led by Williamsburg’s retiree, Bob Rose, had their team under the parking lot lights of the Civic Center on Thursday night walking through formations and plays while Tennessee’s Head Coach, Dan Bland, was having his appendix removed on Friday afternoon. Needless to say, the 1st Inaugural Border Bowl was one for the history books.

Tennessee was the first to kickoff, and Kentucky’s Kyle Gaffney (Lexington Christian Academy) returned the kick 66 yards to set Kentucky up nicely on their opening drive. Just four plays later, Kaleb Curtis (Montgomery County) would take a quarterback sneak up the middle and into the end zone. Jake Stephens (Lafayette) would put the extra point attempt through the uprights to give Kentucky a 7-0 lead with just 1:14 off the clock. After that drive, however, defense was the name of the game as neither team would score until the second quarter.

Tennessee used it's stifling defense to keep Kentucky from reaching the scoring column in the fourth quarter, and Tennessee’s Clark McMillan (Central) ran a quarterback keeper for a seven yard touchdown to account for the final score.

Terrance Cobb was named the MVP of the 1st Inaugural Border Bowl with 17 rushes for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cobb was followed by Joshua Jeffers for Tennessee with four carries for 31 yards. Tennessee had a great pair of quarterbacks as Clark McMillan went 9-14 with 115 yards and Mark Montgomery (Austin-East) went 4-11 for 65 yards. Stephen Shiver (Maryville) caught three passes for 52 yards, followed by Daniel Dayton (Halls) who caught 2 passes for 53 yards. Montgomery was named the offensive player of the game for Tennessee.

For Kentucky, Kaleb Curtis led the rushing unit with 16 carries for 44 yards and also led the passing unit, going 7-13 with 68 yards. Terrell Combs (Bryan Station) was right behind Curtis for rushing, going 7 rushes for 36 yards. Ty Sparks (Tates Creek) dominated the receiving for Kentucky, catching three passes for 49 yards and he also rushed three times for 7 yards. The Kentucky Player of the Game  was a surprise choice as the punter and kicker, Jake Stephens was elected to represent the best offensive performance. Stephens had eight punts for 382 yards, averaging 47.8 yards per punt and having a long punt of 66 yards, which was downed on the 6 yard line. Stephens also went 2-3 on his field goals, making them from 26 and 37 yards out and just coming short of a 51 yard field goal.

Tennessee’s defense was relentless in the second half, led by the Defensive Player of the Game, Jonathan Yeary (Jefferson County) who finished with 13 tackles, including one tackle for a loss of 2 yards and a pass breakup. Other top contributing defensive players for Tennessee were Jordan Allen, Lincoln Anderson and Aaron Trent, all having 6 tackles.

Kody Reed (Lincoln County) led Kentucky’s defense on the field with seven tackles and one pass breakup. Cody Quinn (South Laurel) and Daniel Crawford (Middlesboro) each had six tackles on the day, but it was Crawford who came away with the defensive player of the game award for Kentucky, recording 1.5 tackles for 2.5 yards lost, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble.

Congratulations to all Kentucky and Tennessee All-Star players who were able to represent their schools and their ability in the 2008 Border Bowl. Through hard work and dedication, they will continue to use their talents and sportsmanship throughout life. The 2008 Border Bowl will look to continue next year as more applications come in and more players help to carry their High Schools to further heights in the regular season.

Article Provided by Kevin Flora, University of the Cumberlands Sports Information Student Assistant