BORDER BOWL

 The 5th edition of the Kentucky/Tennessee Border Bowl will be held at the University of the Cumberlands Saturday.

Tennessee has snagged three wins in the series. The Volunteer State won the inaguaral game in 2008. The Bluegrass State took its only win in the series in 2009, beating Tennessee, 26-20.

However, the last two years has belong to the Big Orange, winning 26-13 in 2010 and 28-18 last year.

The National Guard Border Bowl is a non-profit organization established to promote high school football in Kentucky and Tennessee.  The objective is to provide an ALL-STAR game featuring the top players in Kentucky and Tennessee.

This game allows players to have one more opportunity to play, practice and battle it out for the rights to the border.  It also allows high school seniors to gain additional exposure and perhaps earn a scholarship for college.

This year the game will be played on Saturday, January 7th with kick-off at 12:30 PM at James H. Taylor, II Stadium in Williamsburg, Ky., home of the University of the Cumberlands Patriots.

Each player must be nominated by a coach.  All player profiles are reviewed by a panel of coaches from their home state.  It is estimated that over 200 profiles are reviewed for the game whose major sponsors are the National Guard from each state. 

Each year a number of area players are selected to the team and 2012 is no exception.

Coty Croley, a defensive tackle from Williamsburg High School and Seth McCoy, a kicker who set records last season at Whitley County have been selected to the All-Star game.

News Journal Player of the Year, Brady Foley, who led the Corbin Redhounds in scoring and defense, will play as a linebacker for the Kentucky All-Stars. 

The team rosters are on page C-7.

Players selected for the 2012 Border Bowl will be treated as ALL-STARS from the time they check into camp until they leave for home.  Each player will receive a personalized jersey, food and lodging for the entire time at camp, insurance for all activities, a sweat suit, t-shirt(s), honors banquet ticket, and the opportunity to meet numerous former NFL, CFL, and NCAA coaches.  The players will also receive a Border Bowl ring for being selected to participate in the 2012 Border Bowl.

The players will check in at the Super 8 Motel in Williamsburg, KY on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 and will go through six practices on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in preparation for the game.  They will also attend an honors banquet Friday evening with Master of Ceremonies Larry Vaught.  This year’s keynote speaker for the 2012 Border Bowl Banquet will be Scott Galyon, a former NFL linebacker and recent inductee to the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.   

Attendance at the 2011 Border Bowl held at the University of the Cumberlands James H. Taylor, II Stadium, in Williamsburg, Kentucky exceeded 4,000, including more than 20 colleges.  The 2012 Border Bowl Committee is hoping to increase the attendance to this year’s game with added activities and events for the fans.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for all students.  In addition, all military and their family members will receive free admission to the game.  

 For more information about the 2012 National Guard Border Bowl, please visit www.ky-tn-borderbowl.com <http://www.ky-tn-borderbowl.com> , email Andy Croley at croley@2geton.net, or call 606-215-1235.