DANVILLE — Fans of both Boyle County and Corbin expected a heavyweight battle during Friday’s Class 4A, Region 4 championship game, and that’s exactly what they got.
Both teams took each others best punch, but in the end, the three-time defending state champion Rebels (13-0) did just enough to pull off a 21-14 victory to advantage to the Class 4A state semifinals while eliminating the Redhounds (12-1) for the second straight season.
The 21 points were the most Corbin allowed this season. The Redhounds had only given up 56 points prior to Friday’s matchup.
After both teams failed to move the ball on their first offensive possessions, Boyle County blocked Corbin’s punt attempt and took over at the Redhound six-yard line and later scored to take a 7-0 lead with 5:59 left in the first quarter.
It didn’t take long for the Redhounds to answer.
Corbin converted a fourth and three situation at Boyle County’s 27-yard line and managed to get the first down, as Zander Curry added a 28-yard touchdown run a couple of plays later to tie the game at seven apiece with 41 seconds remaining.
The Rebels answered on their ensuing possession as Montavin Quisenberry broke through the line for a 12-yard touchdown run to push his team back into the lead at 14-7 with 8:23 left in the first quarter.
Boyle County forced Corbin to punt the ball on the Redhounds’ next offensive possession but an interception by Zander Curry gave his team the ball at the Rebel 32-yard line.
The Redhounds took advantage of Boyle County’s miscue, as Kade Elam connected with Carter Stewart for a 22-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14 apiece with 6:05 remaining in the first half.
Both teams closed out the half with interceptions. Curry’s second interception of the game allowed Corbin to take the ball over on its own three-yard line and run the clock out to go into the locker room at halftime tied at 14.
The Redhounds failed to put anything together on their first offensive possession of the first half, and Boyle County made them pay.
Quisenberry broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown run during the Rebels’ first offensive possession of the second half to give his team a 21-14 lead with 10:13 remaining in the third quarter.
Both teams failed to score the remainder of the contest with Corbin driving inside Boyle County territory numerous times, but only to see them stall.
