By MIKE MARSEE

Contributing Writer

BOWLING GREEN – A funny thing happened on the way to Boyle County’s running-clock victory in its season opener: The clock didn’t run.

The Rebels were headed for a romp Saturday after scoring 29 points in the first quarter against Gibson Southern (Ind.), but they scored only once more in a 36-6 win in the Rafferty’s Bowl at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

And that left Boyle coach Justin Haddix with a bit of a bad taste in his mouth after a first quarter that had been pretty sweet.

“We started off strong, but we did not finish well. Not what we wanted to do,” Haddix said. “A win’s a win and we’ll take it, but we’ve got to play better and finish games.”

Boyle never let Gibson Southern back into the game, but it never regained the fire the Rebels’ offense generated in the first quarter, when big plays allowed them to build them a commanding lead.

“It’s kind of a double-edged sword,” Haddix said. “You want to play four quarters and you want to play good every quarter, and basically we played one good quarter on offense. That’s not going to win many games.”

The Rebels rolled up 459 yards on offense, and they got 163 of those yards on catch-and-run touchdowns by Avery Bodner (80), Montavin Quisenberry (37) and Geordon Brown (46).

Bodner had four catches for 120 yards and ran for 150 yards and a TD. Sage Dawson was 14 for 22 for 303 passing yards, including 258 in the first half.

Boyle’s defense allowed a few sustained drives and stopped Gibson Southern inside the 10 twice in the fourth quarter. Jayce Crowe had 12 tackles, including four of his team’s 11 tackles for loss.

Gibson Southern went three-and-out on its first three possessions and Quisenberry picked a pass on the fourth to help the Rebels build their lead.

“It’s really good because it stops their momentum and their morale, and it picks us up,” said Boyle senior lineman Austin Gorley, who was named the defensive MVP.

Quisenberry, who had three catches for 55 yards, was the offensive MVP.

Gorley said getting a test in the second half, when the Rebels outscored the Titans 6-0, will be good for Boyle, which hosts Lexington Christian on Saturday in the Rebel Bowl.

“It’s really good to (realize) we can’t slow down. The foot’s got to be on the throat. We’ve got to kill them quick and keep them down,” he said. “We’re in a good place right now, but we can’t get complacent. I think it’s going to be a good year for the Rebels.”

 

Boyle County 36, Gibson So. (Indiana) 6

Gibson Southern (Ind.) 0-6-0-0 – 6

Boyle County 29-0-7-0 – 36

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

BC – Avery Bodner 80 pass from Sage Dawson (Andrew Carr kick), 11:45.

BC – Montavin Quisenberry 37 pass from Dawson (Carr kick), 5:10.

BC – Geordon Brown 46 pass from Dawson (Carr kick), 3:14.

BC – Dawson 2 run (Bodner run), :31.

Second Quarter

GS – 10 2 run (kick blocked), 2:26.

Third Quarter

BC – Bodner 1 run (Carr kick), 4:19.