Tennessee recaptured the series lead in the Kentucky-Tennessee Border Bowl on Saturday, thanks to standout performances from area football players.

Fulton High School defensive back/wide receiver Kentel Williams scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Tennessee topped Kentucky 29-14 at University of the Cumberlands’ James H. Taylor Stadium in Williamsburg, Ky.

Only seniors were eligible for the all-star game.

“Knoxville kids showed out,” West coach Jeff Harig, an assistant for Tennessee, said by phone after the game. “Farragut’s Cole Strange was unblockable and made plays all over the field. Kentel came up big. (Farragut kicker) Carter Phillipy made two field goals.”

The win snapped Tennessee’s three-game skid in the series, which it now leads 5-4. Williams’ first score gave Tennessee a 20-7 lead.

The Class 4A Mr. Football semifinalist fumbled at the Kentucky 16-yard line after a 29-yard reception, but then recovered the ball in the end zone. Williams later caught a short pass from Halls quarterback Andrew Davis, split a pair of Kentucky defenders and raced to the end zone for a 58-yard touchdown. He was named Tennessee’s offensive MVP for the game. Strange, who is committed to Chattanooga, was the defensive MVP.

Tennessee led 13-0 at halftime. Game stats were not made available.

“All week long, we couldn’t handle Cole in practice,” said Jefferson County coach Kenny Cobble, Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. “He came out in the game and established himself early. They had a hard time blocking him, and he was able to make some plays in the backfield and really disrupt their game plan. He was all over the place. It was impressive to watch.”

by Chris Thomas of the Knoxville News Sentinel

 

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