Strong starts and late-season swoons have been the trend for the Todd County Central football team, with the Rebels going a combined 17-7 over the first six weeks of the last four campaigns. Each of those seasons ended with only a single victory over the last five games, prolonging a playoff drought that began before any of the current players were born.
After a 3-5 season that ended on a cold, rainy night at Hancock County in the opening round of the playoffs, losses on the defensive side of the ball will need to be overcome in 2021.
All-SKY picks Nathan Carroll, Ethan Tomerlin, and Demarcus Leavell depart, with Tomerlin and Leavell moving on to the college ranks. Tomerlin’s 61 tackles led the team and his four tackles for loss were third.
Carroll was second with 48 tackles, and Leavell’s 4.5 tackles for loss were second-most, while he also anchored the offensive line. Isaac Marshall led the Rebels with five tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and Kaleb Slaughter also leaves a hole after making 40 tackles with three for loss.
On the offensive side, All-SKY returnees Omarion Riddick, Nate Reding, and Preston Moore lead the way. Riddick was voted the team’s MVP last season after carrying the ball 100 times for 763 yards, both team highs, with three touchdowns. He was also third on the team in tackles with 41 and coach Josh Robins expects an even bigger contribution on that side of the ball.
Reding’s 31 catches and 323 yards receiving were team highs and he found the endzone three times. He was also 8/9 on PATs. Moore was 56/113 under center last season, throwing for 592 yards and six scores with ten interceptions. He was also second on the team with 72 carries and just over 500 yards rushing, with his nine total touchdowns leading the Rebels.
Moore is making the move to wide receiver for his senior season, with junior Gavyn Nolan taking over as quarterback. Senior Orrin Scott and junior Jamarion Smith will both help the ground game, with Smith also moving to linebacker on defense. WR/CB Dylan Baker is also back after making 28 tackles with an interception as a junior.
Up front the Rebels are excited about the return from injury for senior Zavion West, while Chase Wells figures to be a force at offensive tackle and defensive end. Wells had 25 tackles last season, including three for loss, and recovered a fumble.
The Rebels kick things off in Elkton against Trigg County on Friday. The teams haven’t met since 2016 when the Wildcats earned a 47-14 victory in Cadiz.
