Frederick Douglass and Boyle County to Clash in Regular Season Finale

It will be a battle of Kentucky High School football heavyweights on Friday night when No. 1 Boyle County (9-0) travels to The Farm to take on No. 4 Frederick Douglass (5-3). This matchup between the Rebels and the Broncos will be the first and only matchup this season where defending state champions face off against each other.

Head coach Justin Haddix’s Rebels have won 16 consecutive games dating back to last season, which is the longest winning streak in the state of Kentucky. Their last loss? When Frederick Douglass completely embarrassed the Rebels at Boyle County 364 days ago, rolling to a 36-7 victory. Current Ball State freshman running back TJ Horton ran for 132 yards and a score in that win. The Douglass defense allowed just 170 total yards to a Rebel offense that had averaged 382 yards per game through their first nine. Everything clicked for the Broncos.

But Friday is a brand-new game with new faces and new leaders. Can the Rebels finish the regular season undefeated, or will Frederick Douglass spoil the Rebels’ fun?

Scouting Frederick Douglass

Unlike in 2022, things didn’t click right away in 2023 for a Frederick Douglass team that lost team cornerstones ATH Ty Bryant (Kentucky), DL Jamarrion Harkless (Purdue), WR Tylon Webb (Western Kentucky), and the aforementioned Horton to graduation over the offseason. The Broncos lost three of their first five games of the season, two of which were against out-of-state teams. They failed to score a touchdown in their week four loss to No. 2 Corbin (6-0).

Through their first five games in 2023, the Douglass offense averaged just 234 yards per game after averaging 295 a season ago. But it’s safe to say Nathan McPeek’s Broncos have looked like the Broncos of old as of late, as they’ve averaged 307 yards of offense during their recent three-game winning streak (Madison Central, No. 16 Bryan Station, George Rogers Clark). The defense has tightened up as well, as the Douglass defense is allowing 50 yards fewer per game over their past three games.

Freshman quarterback Jaxon Strautman has stepped into a difficult situation and has been solid for OC Evander Harris’ offense, throwing for 1,128 yards and 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Strautman has also rushed for 182 yards and two scores. Five different receivers have hauled in a touchdown reception this season, with junior Aveion Chenault (Kentucky target) leading the way with five. Seven different Broncos have recorded a rushing touchdown, with junior Derion Talbert‘s three leading the team.

Douglass QB @JaxStrautman UNLOADS to @DerionTalbert for SIX! Broncos rolling in Derby City. (📺: @WDRBNews)

#4 Douglass 17 / #7 Trinity 0 / 8:42 4th pic.twitter.com/SLESBuvwO0

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) August 26, 2023

The young Douglass offense must continue to improve, as the vaunted Rebels defense has allowed just an average of 237 yards per game this season. Diving deeper, Boyle allows an average of just 83 passing yards per game. Strautman is averaging 141 passing yards.

Senior LB Darion Neal and junior LB Kayden Clay have been forces of nature this season, as the pair have combined for 78 tackles (16.5 TFL) and five sacks. Neal led the Broncos with seven tackles in their victory over Boyle County last season. Senior DB Jeremiah Lowe (Michigan commit) and junior LB Logan Busson both hauled in interceptions in that matchup.

Scouting Boyle County

The Rebels have been on a mission since their loss to Douglass last season. Along with finishing their 2022 campaign by rattling off five straight wins and a 4A state championship, Boyle County has won 16 consecutive games by an average score of 41-13. Just one of those games has been a one-possession contest (the 4A state title game vs Corbin, 32-26). Justin Haddix’s squad hasn’t just been winning, they’ve been dominating.

Boyle County senior quarterback Sage Dawson was injured in last season’s game against the Broncos, finishing with 0 yards on 1-3 passing with an interception before being unable to return to the game. Dawson would return to action three weeks later in Boyle’s third-round matchup against Lexington Catholic, where he passed for 300 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 201 yards in their final three postseason games en route to their third consecutive state championship.

Dawson has had himself a phenomenal senior season, in which he has passed for 1,739 yards and 21 touchdowns (just two interceptions) while rushing for 192 yards and two scores. Friday night’s game against the Broncos will definitely mean a bit more to him. The Boyle County offense has been one of, if not the best, in the state this season. Senior RB Avery Bodner and juniors WR Demauriah Brown and WR Montavin Quisenberry are three of the best playmakers in the state of Kentucky.

Quisenberry, who is listed as a three-star recruit, has rushed for 305 yards and 11 touchdowns while leading the Rebels in receiving yards (494) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Bodner leads Boyle County in rushing with 710 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. Brown, a transfer from rival Danville, has hauled in 438 receiving yards and four touchdowns. This trio of stars don’t just contribute on the offensive side but are three of their best defensive players as well.

As the legendary Chris Berman would say, WOOP. @MontavinQuisen1

#1 Boyle Co. 7 | Lex Cath 0 | 1:45 1st pic.twitter.com/jqCWsKbF12

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) September 22, 2023

Bodner leads Boyle County in tackles (57) and has recorded four sacks and an interception. Brown’s three interceptions lead the team and Quisenberry has recorded 34 tackles (four TFL) and two interceptions. This trio may be the most talented of any team in the state.

Sparks will fly when these two teams kick off Friday night at 7:30 p.m. EST. Boyle County and Frederick Douglass have met twice since Douglass’ first season in 2017. They both own one victory, with Boyle’s coming in 2021 (34-7) and Douglass’ coming in 2022 (37-6). Could we see another blowout come Friday night?