How quickly Todd County Central can find the right players to fill some gaps caused by graduation will likely be the key to the 2023 football season for the Rebels. The Rebels have some big shoes to fill in some key positions as the new season opens Friday night.
Josh Robins returns for his 4th season at the helm of the Rebels football program after taking over in January of 2020. Todd County Central finished 2022 with a 5-6 record, falling to Mayfield in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.
One of the biggest challenges for the Rebels is on the offensive side of the ball, where Todd County Central not only lost its starting quarterback but also the backup quarterback, who happened to be their leading pass-catcher and their kicker.
Gavyn Nolan passed for more than 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also ran for more than 600 yards and eight scores. Nate Reding, who was Nolan’s backup and his favorite target, caught 48 passes for 679 yards and five touchdowns. The 48 catches were just one shy of being more than half of the team’s total.
Also gone from the offensive side of the ball is leading rusher and scorer Jamarion Smith, who finished last season with 1,151 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also scored 11 two-point conversions.
While the graduation losses were significant, it would be unwise for opponents to overlook the talent the Rebels have on that side of the ball.
Freshman Miles Reding will step into the lineup at QB for the Rebels. The youngster threw for three touchdowns in his debut in Todd Central’s scrimmage win over Houston County. He had his bumps in the road early, but settled down and was sharp in the final three-quarters of the scrimmage.
One area of the Rebels’ offense that will concern opposing defensive coaches from the very start of the season will be the speed that the Rebels have on the outside. B.J. Farlow and Antonio Fitzgerald give the Rebels big-play threats who, when they get the ball in space, are a threat to take it to the house every time they touch the ball. Devin Schutt is another quality receiver for Josh Robins and his staff.
Ricky Woodward, who can also play on the line, figures to be a guy that sees the workload at running back. Woodward is a big, powerful back, who has surprising speed at times. And, when the Rebels get down inside the five, you can figure he is going to see the ball.
If the line can give Reding and his skill players time and the holes to run too, the Rebel offense could be one to put up points in bunches.
The Rebels also had losses on defense that have to be addressed. Nate Reding and Chase Carlock were emotional leaders on the field for the Rebels. Re-establishing that leadership on the field defensively will be important for Todd Central.
Reding and Carlock were also second and third on the team in tackles.
Matthew Hightower, Travis Eadens, Kamari Harris, and Ricky Woodward were all integral parts of the defense in 2022 and will look to anchor that side of the ball in 2023. Hightower led the team in tackles, while Harris led the team with 10 tackles for loss.
A new season sees a new district lineup for the Rebels. Gone are Butler County, Hancock County, and McLean County. Fort Campbell and Edmonson County join for 2023. With only four teams in the district, all will make the playoffs, with district games then determining seeding and home field for the postseason.
The Rebel open the season with road trips to Monroe County and Ohio County, followed by home games against Webster County and Stewart County. Todd Central goes back on the road for games at McLean and Russellville. That is followed by district home games against Owensboro Catholic and Fort Campbell. A road district game at Edmonson County and the home finale against Warren Central wrap up the regular season.
The season opener against Monroe County is set for a 7pm kickoff Friday night in Tompkinsville.
