Two heavyweights battled for 48 minutes on Kroger Field, and in the end, Boyle County did just enough to capture its third straight Class 4A championship under Justin Haddix, as the Rebels outlasted Corbin, 32-26.
The game was tight throughout, but Tommy Ziesmer‘s seven-yard touchdown run with 9:24 remaining in the fourth quarter gave his Rebels the lead for good at 32-26.
Corbin’s season comes to an end at 14-1 after putting in the program’s most wins in a season.
The loss also marked the Redhounds third state title game loss dating back to 2017.
Boyle County out gained Corbin in total yardage, 363-299, while the Rebels ran for 270 yards on the ground.
Sage Dawson completed 8-of-12 pass attempts for 69 yards, and a touchdown, while Avery Bodner completed his only pass of the game for a 24-yard touchdown strike.
Montavin Quisenberry led the team with four catches while Dawson also caught a pass for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Dawson led Boyle County with 109 rushing yards while Bodner ran for 100 yards and a touchdown. Quisenberry ran for 54 yards and a score while Ziesmer’s only carry of the game resulted in a touchdown.
Kade Elam connected on 12-of-17 pass attempts for 159 yards and two TDs while Cameron Combs led Corbin with 86 rushing yards. Elam had 44 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.
Brody Wells had two catches for 68 yards, and a score while Eli Pietrowski finished with three receptions, 26 yards, and a touchdown.
Boyle County got on the scoreboard first, starting the game with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by Sage Dawson’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Brummett with 5:19 remaining in the first quarter while giving the Rebels a 7-0 advantage.
Corbin answered with an eight-play, 65-yard scoring drive that tied the game at seven apiece.
Kade Elam hit a wide open Eli Pietrowski with a four-yard touchdown pass with 1:20 left in the first quarter.
After stopping Boyle County on its ensuing offensive possession, Elam guided the Redhounds downfield 80-yards on 10 plays, capping it off with a two-yard touchdown run to make the score, 13-7, at the 8:37 mark of the second quarter.
Jacob Baker’s PAT was blocked, leaving Corbin’s lead at six points.
It didn’t take the Rebels long to tie the game at 13 apiece — actually just three plays.
After seeing Montavin Quisenberry break loose for a big gain while the Redhounds were flagged for a late hit, Boyle County scored two plays later with 7:18 remaining in the first half on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Ayden Bodner to Sage Dawson.
The Rebels managed to take a 20-13 lead into the locker room at halftime as Bodner’s 10-yard rushing touchdown with 12 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Both teams put up good numbers offensively in the first half, with Boyle County totaling 185 yards while Corbin had 166.
The Redhounds marched downfield to open the third quarter as Elam’s one-yard rushing touchdown tied the game at 20 apiece with 6:36 left in the third quarter while capping off a 12-play, 47-yard drive.
The game continued to go back and forth, with Quisenberry’s 21-yard touchdown run giving Boyle County a 26-20 lead with 3:07 left in the third quarter. The Rebels’ misfired on their PAT attempt.
Corbin responded with a 56-yard touchdown strike from Elam to a wide open Brody Well to make the score, 26-all, with 2:06 remaining. The Redhounds had a chance to take the lead, but Baker’s PAT was blocked.
The game didn’t remain tied for long.
Boyle County managed to find pay dirt on its ensuing drive as Tommy Ziesmer plowed his way into the end zone with a seven-yard run, capping off a 10-play, 80-yard drive.
Cole Andrews misfired on his PAT attempt, as the Rebels held a 32-26 lead with 9:24 remaining in regulation.
After Corbin’s drive stalled on its ensuing possession, the Redhound defense made a key play to regain possession with less than six minutes remaining.
Baker intercepted a pass to give Corbin the ball at its own 40-yard line.
The Redhounds drove to the Boyle County 35-yard, but the drive stalled after an incomplete pass by Elam on fourth and five.
The Rebels took over, and proceeded to run the remainder of the time off the clock.
