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© 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)
Border Bowl showcases talent, Kentucky Guard youth at annual rivalry
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Story by Staff Sgt. Steve Tressler, 138th Fires Brigade Public Affairs NCOIC
Steven Sims, brother of Joint Force Headquarters DEERS/ID Card Site Security Manager Sgt. Stephanie Sims, poses with teammate Tyler Hughes, son of 1/623rd Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Jeff Hughes at the Kentucky and Tennesse Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 15. (photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Tressler, 138th Fires Brigade)
Barren County High School running back and strong safety Tyler Hughes, an honor roll student, knows the National Guard isn’t just a sponsor for the annual Border Bowl played between Kentucky and Tennessee high school football all-stars.
For him, it’s a way of life. His father Jeff Hughes is a lieutenant colonel and commander of the Glasgow, Ky. – based 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery.
Having a father in the military can be tough, especially with deployments, but the BCHS football star believes it has made him tougher in return.
“I’m proud of my father,” Tyler said. “He’s always been a great role model for me.”
Tyler said he doesn’t think that growing up with a dad in the military has made him any different than any of his friends. Other than the fact that his room always seems to be a little cleaner than his buddies usually are.
So is there anything he does at home that would surprise us?
“A lot of soldiers would be surprised by how much my father jokes around with me. I’ve seen him in front of his troops and he’s so serious. At home he can be a real clown” Tyler said.
Tyler wasn’t the only football warrior on the field Jan. 15, with Guard connections.
Anderson County High School defensive lineman Steven Sims is one big ‘kid.’ At 6 feet 3 inches tall and 245 pounds he’s hardly a baby.
Sgt. Stephanie Sims, Joint Force Headquarters DEERS/Identification Card site security manager, hugs her younger brother Stephen Sims, Anderson County High School defensive lineman and player selectee of the 2011 Kentucky and Tennessee Border Bowl. (photo courtesy of the Sims family)
Tough? You could say that. His job as a defensive lineman is to fight off 300 pound offensive linemen and tackle 190 pound guys running full speed before they get too far.
So where did he learn that kind of toughness? The answer is one you might not expect from a rough, tough football player.
“My sister,” he said.
“She’s a single mom and a sergeant with Joint Forces Headquarters.”
Steven said he and his sister, Sgt. Stephanie Sims are very close and that he’s immensely proud of her. So proud that he hasn’t ruled out possibly following in her shoes and joining the military following high school.
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Story by: Staff Sgt. Gina Vaile-Nelson, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Spc. Adrian Wallace, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, contributed to the story
Photos by: Lt. Col. Kirk E. Hilbrecht, Public Affairs Office Director
Border fans from Kentucky and Tennesse brave the early afternoon chill at the 2011 Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 15.
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – There was a winter chill in the air as more than 100 warriors took to the field Jan. 15, for the annual battle at the border. For three days, plays had been run and friendships had been made during the whirl-wind practice schedule.
On this day, it would all come down to one thing … the battle at the border.
The all-star high school football squads from Kentucky and Tennessee faced off for the 2011 National Guard Border Bowl temperatures in lower 40s, all in hopes of winning bragging rights for the next year.
Laced with penalties and fumbles, Tennessee came out on top with a 28-18 victory.
“During this annual rivalry, there will always be a winner and a loser on the scoreboard,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Dornbush, chief of the joint staff for the Kentucky National Guard.
“But when you step back and look at the bigger picture, all of these athletes are winners.”
According to the Border Bowl Committee, more than 60 percent of the participants go on to receive scholarships and grants.
Brig. Gen. Michael Dornbush, chief of the joint staff for the Kentucky National Guard, flips the game coin at the 2011 Kentucky vs. Tennessee Border Bowl in Williamsburg, Ky., Jan. 15.
“This is such a great opportunity for these kids,” said former University of Tennessee football coach Phil Fulmer. “Some of them are playing in the last football game of their career, while others could earn the opportunity to play at the next level (because of being seen at this game).
“It’s a lot of fun to get out here and watch these kids represent their states,” he said.
According to Freddie Maggard, National Community Outreach director and former University of Kentucky star quarterback, the game is a win for the athletes and a win for the Guard.
“This is a big deal for these athletes, for this community and for the National Guard,” he said.
“Many of these players are celebrities in their hometowns, just as our National Guardsmen are celebrities in their communities,” he said. “It’s an excellent paring of two dedicated groups – high school football players and Soldiers.
“Football is about teamwork, just like being in the Guard,” Maggard said. “The heart of the National Guard is the hometowns where our units are from. It’s great to give back to those communities by recognizing these young warriors at the Border Bowl.”
In addition to the football game, athletes and their families attended a banquet; there was a powder-puff football game between Kentucky and Tennessee cheerleaders and numerous static displays by the Kentucky National Guard.
