Kentucky invades Tennessee & emerges with a 34-16 Border Bowl victory

The 2017 Kentucky v Tennessee Border Bowl showcased some hungry senior high school football players looking to make a name for themselves in the closing days of the 2017 recruiting cycle. Some were already committed to division one schools like Illinois, Toledo, and Middle Tennesse State. Others were committed to FCS, division II and III, and NAIA programs. The committed players were playing for the love of the game and embracing another chance to buckle their chin straps and compete while the rest were playing for their first offer from a school willing to give them an opportunity to extend their playing days and help ease the burden of college tuition. This was the last showcase for these kids to go out and display their talents for college coaches while also playing for the honor of representing their home states.

For and all-star game, both squads came with a blue collar attitude, the physicality was impressive and the hits were loud and violent. While the Kentucky team ended a two- game losing streak, the Tennessee players definitely came out and showed heart, battling back from a 34-3 deficit to bring the final score to 34-16.

The difference in the game wasn't offense versus defense, this one was decided by special teams play. Kentucky returned the open kick-off for a score, bluegrass kicker Josh Edwards nailed two field goals, one from 44 yards in the driving rain, and the Tennessee punt unit struggled to get off clean kicks, one of which resulting in a Kentucky touchdown and a botched snap put their defense in horrible field position.

Regardless of the score, both teams played hard-nosed football and a large number of players flashed their skills. Here are the top performers and their highlights from the game.

Kyree Hawkins from Fern Creek set the tone for the Kentucky team when he took the opening kick to the house. He also displayed his yeoman style of play by grinding out tough yards to sustain drives and making catches out of the backfield.

2017 Conner High (KY) running back Armand Jackson won the MVP for the Kentucky squad. It appears he may be heading the JUCO or Prep route to continue his football career but if he stays the course academically he will have a future playing on Saturdays.

In the first clip below he unfurls a devastating stiff arm that levels the edge defender. In the second clip, he knocks a would-be tackler's helmet off on his way to pay dirt and in the third clip, he carries what appears to be a few hesitant tacklers into the end zone.

Larry Harper was the best quarterback for the Kentucky team and when he was at the helm the blue squad moved efficiently down the field. The crafty senior from Waggener used his legs and arm to make plays that set up the Kentucky offense to put points on the board. Of course, his favorite receiver was Male's BK Smith who is committed to Eastern Kentucky.

On defense, I thought Marshall County's Cameron Thurman was the most dominant player on the Kentucky team. He consistently snuffed out running plays, put pressure on the quarterback, and even got a piece of a Tennessee punt. But don't take my word for it, his film doesn't lie. Thurman is number 72.

The Kentucky defense didn't lack for standout performers and the unit seemed to really rally around Central HS middle linebacker Johnathan Dooley. The Kentucky Wesleyan commit clearly had the respect of his teammates and was the emotional leader of his unit. He also set the tone with his physicality early in the game. Dooley may not be the most athletic guy on the field but his heart and intangibles are off the charts.

Derrick Barnes had a solid performance. He's a big linebacker who can run and showed good awareness in sniffing out the run, covering well, and making plays on special teams.

The Tennessee coaches were wise not to test Illinois commit Nate Hobbs on the second level but Hobbs showed some "want to" by coming up and initiating contact when they threw screens his way.

Tates Creek safety Xavier Johnson was all over the field making plays from the secondary. The word must have spread quickly about his performance because since the Border Bowl he has picked up offers from Eastern Kentucky and Kentucky State. Watch how quickly he diagnoses the play flow and comes up to make big hits. He projects well as a strong safety at the next level.

Of course Bryan Station (KY) defensive end Quentin Floyd represented. As always, he did his job setting the edge against the run, as displayed above in the Xavier Johnson segment, but he also created havoc aginst the pass with a crafty spin move to sack the quarterback. Floyd is committed to Eastern Kentucky.

Johnson Central defensive end Josh Ervin also turned in a solid performance. The coaches gave him the defensive lineman award.

Kickers don't get much love or media attention but Shelby County's Josh Edwards was outstanding in this game and truth be told, he was probably the most valuable weapon for the Bluegrass State on this day. Watch the damage he did on the scoreboard as well as in the field position aspect of the game.

There were plenty of other standouts in this game from both sides. Check back with Kentucky Preps later this week for the highlights from the Tennessee squad as well as a film from the best of the rest of the Kentucky v. Tennessee Border Bowl.