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Boyle County has won its first nine games by an average of 40 points per game, but coach Larry French said Friday’s regular-season finale at Christian County, Class AAAAA’s No. 6 team, will give the No. 1 Rebels a struggle before the Class AAAA playoffs start next week.

“I think this game is going to give us a good test and get us ready for the playoffs,” French said. “We’re going to see some outstanding speed and outstanding athletes, and they’re a good team. They were in the 5-A final last year (where they lost 35-15 to Highlands). They’re a credible team for sure.”

The Colonels (6-3) had won six in a row before falling 14-0 last week at Tennessee’s defending 5-A champion Murfreesboro Oakland High.

“They played extremely well against that team from Tennessee, and they’ve played well all year long,” French said. “We’re coming to their home turf, they’ve got an unbeaten record there (against Kentucky teams), and they’re going to try and knock us off.

“We’re going to have to play extremely well and do things differently than we’ve done the past couple of weeks.”

The Colonels don’t score a lot, averaging 18 points per game, and get 176 of their 242 yards per game from the run.

Vashun Banks has rushed for a team-high 767 yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Alex Davie has 532 yards and six scores rushing and is 30-for-76 passing for 538 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions.

Marcoreyon Tandy has 19 catches for 195 yards and two scores, and Banks has seven catches for 251 yards and three more touchdowns.

'Got some speed'

“They’ve got some speed, no doubt about that. They can put it in the end zone from any point on the field,” French said.

Christian also has a strong defense, allowing 15.7 points and 201 yards per game, including 131 yards per game rushing. Malcolm McDuffen has 51 tackles, John Lewis has 52 tackles and Anthony Buckner has 50 tackles to lead the team. Trey Gayle had five interceptions and Lewis has also recovered five fumbles.

French said it’s no secret the Colonels are going to try and stop Rees MacShara, who averages 218 yards rushing per game with 27 touchdowns. After his 350-yard effort against East Jessamine broke his own single game rushing mark, the Rebels senior also set the single-season (1,968) and career rushing marks (4,321).

“They’re going to try to stop the run game. They’re going to try and force us to throw the ball. And they play man coverage, and have quick athletes in the secondary,” French said. “So we’re going to have to run great routes.”

Quarterback Boone Goldsmith is 58 of 103 passing for 993 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions and has spread the ball around. Lamar Dawson has 14 catches for 176 yards and two scores, Zach Hester has five catches for 87 yards and three scores and MacShara has 11 receptions for 260 yards three touchdowns.

“What really concerns me is up front is whether our small linemen can block their big, quick linemen. They’re extremely large up front with quickness to go with it. We’ve got to control the line. If we can’t run, we can’t do anything offensively,” French said.

Even with home field locked up, and no reason to risk a serious injury in the final week of the year, French said Boyle is not going to coast in Friday’s contest.

“It’s not our nature to ease up on anybody. We’re going down there with the attitude that it’s another game on our schedule and we’re going to do everything we can to win,” French said. “And I’m sure Christian is going to do the same thing.”

Boyle County at Christian County

8 p.m. Friday, Hopkinsville

RADIO/WEBCAST

WRNZ-FM (105.1)

www.hometownlive.net

RECORDS

Rebels: 9-0

Colonels: 6-3

LAST MEETING

No previous meetings

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