Pages
Stay In Touch
More
© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
The Kentucky high school football all-star team takes the field prior to the eight annual National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2015. Kentucky defeated Tennessee 33-32 to tie the series at four wins each. (U.S. Army national Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — For the eighth straight year, the best high school football players from Kentucky and Tennessee met on the gridiron to decide the National Guard Border Bowl, Jan. 11, in Williamsburg, Ky. Held again at the University of the Cumberlands, the game is among an elite few with the National Guard sponsorship.
In front of a large crowd and ESPN cameras, Kentucky beat Tennessee 33-32 in a thrilling game that came down to the wire. The win evens the series at four wins each.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin Adams III conducts the pre-game coin toss to start the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 10, 2015. As one of the few high school sporting events with National Guard sponsorship, Soldiers of the Kentucky and Tennessee National Guard play important roles in the support of the game. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Kentucky’s all-stars were not favored to win the game, but rallied together as a team and never trailed. A fact Freddie Maggard, the Kentucky Guard’s community relations liaison said is the epitome of the match-up. Maggard said the game has always showcased quality coaching, but the players are the ones that demonstrate the skill and desire to win, which is fitting that they played in a game sponsored by the National Guard.
“I’m always so proud of the players,” said Maggard, a former University of Kentucky quarterback. “But on top of being football all stars, these young men excelled off the field as well. The level of coaching in high school is developing not only football players, but fine young men.”
One of those players, Brandon Jones from Hazard High School was not only talented enough to make the Border Bowl roster, but also dedicated enough to enlist into the Kentucky National Guard. Jones will attend Basic Training after graduating this summer.
“It’s pretty cool that I get to play in the National Guard Border Bowl after I just enlisted a few months ago,” said Jones. “”I’ve always wanted be in the Army and I’ve always played football, I have several family members that have served, so I figured I could keep the tradition going.”
Kentucky’s Reese Ryan from Lexington Catholic High School is tackled by Tennessee’s Alex Ware from Eagleville High School during the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2015. Each state brought 50 of the best high school football players of the year to the eighth annual border rivalry. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Visit our flickr site for more photos, click here.
Kentucky’s Arien Beasley from North Oldham High School is pursued by Tennessee’s Deountario Brown from Memphis Central High School during the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 10, 2015. The game represents the last chance for some high school players to catch the eye of college coaches as the students prepare for their next step in their education. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Brig Gen. Benjamin Adams III presents the National Guard Border Bowl trophy to Kentucky’s head coach, Jim McKee from Scott County High School in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2015. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Staff report
Chaplain (Col.) John Mark Toby, State Chaplain for the Tennessee National Guard traveled to Frankfort, Ky., to swear in1st Lt. Misti Reagan into the Tennessee Guard March 6, 2014. Reagan, formerly with the Kentucky Guard, transferred to her home state to pursue placement as a pastor in Tennessee. (Courtesy photo)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — In January 2009, 1st Lt. Misti Reagan joined the Kentucky National Guard to participate in the Chaplain Candidate Program.
Tennessee is home for Reagan. She grew up in Friendship, Tenn., but left those roots to pursue her civilian education for chaplaincy at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. While studying there, Reagan earned two Master’s degrees, Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling.
“Serving with the Kentucky National Guard has been a true honor,” said Reagan. “I will never forget the blessings of being part of such a strong team. I look forward to learning more in the Tennessee National Guard while moving forward to become a Chaplain.”
The Chaplain Candidate Program is a Department of the Army recruiting, training and educational program for perspective chaplains to fill projected demands for the active and reserve components.
“First Lieutenant Reagan displays a level of professionalism and a genuine desire to provide unbridled religious support for Soldiers and their family members that is unsurpassed,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Bill Draper, State Support Chaplain for the Kentucky Guard. “She has been a tremendous role-model to subordinates and peers alike. Tennessee is gaining an excellent Soldier and future chaplain.”
Chaplain (Col.) John Mark Toby, State Chaplain for the Tennessee National Guard, admisiters the oath of office to 1st Lt. Misti Reagan in Frankfort, Ky., March 6, 2014. Reagan, formerly with the Kentucky Guard, transferred to her home state to pursue placement as a pastor in Tennessee. (Courtesy photo)
Reagan was attached to the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade since July 2009 where she provided exceptional support to the men and women of the unit. Reagan is working toward ordination in the Methodist Church and placement as Pastor.
“We are proud of Misti Reagan and continue to keep her and her family in prayer as she follows the Lord’s direction in service to America’s best,” said Kentucky’s State Chaplain, Lt. Col. Yong Cho.
Photos by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Players greet each other on the field following the coin toss to start the 2014 National Guard Border in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — The National Guard Border Bowl is a unique event for the Kentucky Guard. The game is also one of a kind with the National Guard in its name and playing such a prominent role. While the all-star football game is about Kentucky and Tennessee, nationally televised broadcasts and a high level of advertising for the Guard, it has been called a model of how to do something big in a little place.
An aircrew with the Air Evac Lifeteam delivers the game ball to the field at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., prior to the start of the 2014 National Guard Border Bowl Jan. 11, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“The National Guard Border Bowl as an event is a fantastic day for the National Guard,” said Kierre Brown, marketing director for the Kentucky National Guard. “This puts small Williamsburg, Kentucky on the map and that’s very beneficial for the community. The growth of this game is tremendous in the seven years and has had quite an effect on Kentucky and I’m sure is just as beneficial for Tennessee as well.”
Henry Clay High School’s Elijah Bell is tackled by a player from Tennessee during the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Ultimately the game is about the players. Some of the best high school football players the two states have to offer. It’s another chance for them to shine on the field and potentially catch the attention of college football programs.
“I am honored to play in this game,” said Der’Quoine Mobley Jr., a senior at Louisville Central High School. “It was a phenomenal experience for us considering you have the best head coaches in the state. They get us ready for college ball with the right mindset.”
Derik Overstreet from Paducah Tilghman High School chases Tennessee’s quarterback, Devin Smith from Grace Christian Academy during the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Kentucky beat Tennessee 37-13 in a dominating performance from its all-stars. This is the second win in a row for Kentucky, although Tennessee still leads the series 4-3. More than 50 players from each state representing 33 high schools in both Tennessee and Kentucky participated in the game.
To see more photos from this year’s Border Bowl, click here.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin Adams III, Chief of Staff for the Kentucky Guard presents Dr. Howard Wasdin, former Navy SEAL, the National Guard Border Bowl Ironman Award for his work with high school athletes and coaches. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
In addition to the players, coaches and Guardsmen in attendance, guests of the Border Bowl included several Veterans, NFL players and former NCAA coaches and players. Former Navy SEAL Dr. Howard Wasdin, author of the book “SEAL Team Six,” spoke to the players the night before the game and was on hand to sign copies of his book during the game. Veterans from the Korean and Vietnam Wars were honored in the first quarter by the Border Bowl Committee and the Kentucky Guard.
FOX Sports South’s broadcast of the game brought NCAA Hall of Fame coach, Philip Fulmer together with two Super Bowl Champions from the NFL, Marty Moore and Walley Richardson to interact during the event. The people involved with the Border Bowl are a story in its self said Freddie Maggard with Kentucky National Guard Community Relations.
“Players from Kentucky and Tennessee are surrounded by positive role models from registration to post-game,” he said. “The National Guard Border Bowl is much, much more than a football game.”
“It’s life lessons being taught on a hundred yard field.”
Joe Prince, from Owensboro High School, head football coach for the Kentucky All-Stars, speaks to his victorious team following the 2014 National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky. Jan. 11, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
The Kentucky All-Stars celebrate their victory in the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2014. Kentucky beat Tennessee 37-13 for their second victory in a row over the interstate rival. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — On a rain-soaked field at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., the best high school football players from Kentucky and Tennessee gathered again to play for the bragging rights to the border. As the sun broke through the clouds on Jan. 11, 2014, the two teams squared off in the the seventh annual National Guard Border Bowl.
Kentucky beat their the interstate rival for the second straight year. And also for the second year in a row, thanks to the nationally televised broadcast by FOX Sports South, the game and small border town of Williamsburg were on the map.
“Having such a game like this with the involvement of the National Guard is a great combination,” said Sgt. Trenton Guffey with the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery. “It seems to make sense that they are connected.”
To see more photos from the 2014 Border Bowl, click here.
Kentucky’s Tyler Guffey scrambles through the defense during the National Guard Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2014. Guffey led the Kentucky offense to a win in front of family members including his uncle, Sgt. Trenton Guffey of the 1/623rd Field Artillery. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Guffey was on hand to assist with the firing of a cannon with each touchdown scored in the game. But he also volunteered for the assignment to see his nephew Tyler start as the quarterback for Kentucky. Guffey pointed out the similarities of training to be a Soldier or a football player, being parts of the community and how the seven Army Values are instilled in the players.
“Just like us in the Guard being close to local communities with armories, the players are close with their towns,” he said. “And just like the values we are taught and some of the things we stand for, they do the same on the football field. It’s about completing the mission or winning the game.”
Tyler, a senior at Wayne County High School helped lead Kentucky to a dominating 37-13 victory. He said he was happy to have his uncle in attendance and was proud to play in the Border Bowl.
“This has been a great experience, I think this is the best bowl game around,” said the Monticello, Ky. native. “It’s awesome to be able support my uncle and all our troops.”
According to Lt. Col. Fred W. Bates V, commander of the Kentucky National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion, the game is the only all-star game in the country with such a high level of advertising for the National Guard.
“This is great for the National Guard,” he said. “It’s not just about showing off the National Guard on national television, it’s a great community event for Williamsburg, Kentucky as well.”
Brig. Gen. Benjamin Adams III (right) and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Chumley Jr. present the 2014 National Guard Border Bowl trophy to the Kentucky high school football all-stars in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 11, 2014. The game is one of only a few high school match-ups with National Guard sponsorship. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Bates thinks the game is a sign of how the National Guard should interact with their communities. He sees the game as a positive for the Guard, the town and the players, and says more of these types of games will show up around the country.
“We pay for the ability to advertise at his event, and the community runs the event,” he said. “We are able to help them make this a successful event with our resources, but it benefits Kentucky and Tennessee equally.”
The National Guard Border Bowl is a non-profit organization established to provide an all-star game featuring the top players in Kentucky and Tennessee. This game allows players to have the opportunity to play, practice, and battle it out for the rights to the border. It also allows high school seniors an opportunity to gain additional exposure and, perhaps, earn a scholarship for college.
