While there are several familiar faces returning for the 2020 football season for the Todd County Central Rebels, there will be a new face on the sideline directing the show. After Darell Keith resigned following the 2019 season, former Fort Campbell head coach Josh Robins stepped away from the Falcon program to take over the reins of the Rebels for what they hope will be a full, and a very successful season.
The Rebels will look to break their trend over the past three seasons of starting fast, and then faltering a bit down the stretch. Over the past three years, Todd Central has been 14-4 in the first six weeks of the season and then 3-12 in the final five weeks, including the opening round of the playoffs.
In 2017, the Rebels opened 5-1, and then finished at 6-5. In 2018, Todd Central started off 4-2, but finished 5-6. In 2019, Todd County Central opened 5-1, and like in 2017, finished the year at 6-5.
A big key for the Rebels will be a way to find more success in district competition, where they have been 1-3 each of the past three seasons, with the wins coming over Butler County.
Coach Robins inherits experience and talent as the Rebels enter the 2020 season. Junior Preston Moore will step into the role of quarterback to guide the offense for Todd Central. In 2019, Moore caught 13 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried the ball 18 times for 181 yards and one score. Getting the ball in Moore’s hands more often at the QB slot should make the Rebels’ offense a bit more explosive.
When not passing or carrying the ball himself, Moore will be handing off a great deal to running back Omarion Riddick. In just two games of action in 2019, Riddick carried the ball 10 times for 87 yards and one touchdown. He also caught one pass for 18 yards. With more opportunities in 2020 Riddick’s numbers should see a significant increase.
Also, keep your eyes open for sophomore Jamarian Smith, who in addition to playing free safety, will spend some time at running back. He averaged nine yards per carry in very limited offensive action in 2019. Smith had 33 tackles, including two for loss during his freshman season.
Robins says he expects big things in 2020 from lineman Demarcus Leavell. Leavell is a four-year starter for the Rebels, and will see action on both sides of the ball. The talented big man is drawing attention from college scouts for his work down in the trenches.
Chase Wells is another strong talented lineman for Todd Central. Robins expects for him to see action at both defensive end and offensive guard.
The Rebels defense is expected to get a big boost from transfer Ethan Tomerlin. With Fort Campbell not playing football in 2020, the senior transfer will bring some extra toughness to the linebacker position for the Rebels, and could be a nice addition as a short yardage back down near the goal line, should Robins elect to use him in that fashion.
The Rebels will open the season with three straight road games at Hopkins Central, Caverna, and their district opener at Owensboro Catholic. Their home opener will not be until October 2nd, when they host Hancock County.
Coach Robins spoke to YourSportsEdge.Com about his upcoming first season in Elkton:
