Carter County trio selected to All-Star game

Williamsburg, K.Y. – Bowl season isn’t just for the collegiate teams anymore.
Ethan Thomas, Logan Birchfield and Zack Guinn will represent Carter County in the annual National Guard Kentucky/Tennessee Border Bowl all-star football game set for Jan. 10 at James H. Taylor, III Stadium on the University of the Cumberlands’ campus in Kentucky.
Kickoff for the contest is set for 12:05 p.m. Officials announced each roster on Thursday, Jan. 1.
The Border Bowl is a non-profit organization aimed to allow seniors from both states to receive exposure from collegiate coaches from around the nation.
Thomas and Birchfield helped orchestrate Elizabethton High School into four of the most successful years in the program’s history. The Cyclones finished the 2014 season with an 8-3 record and berth in the Class 4A playoffs.
Thomas, who recently netted all-state honors from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association, went for over 2,000 yards during his senior campaign and finished with 35 touchdowns. Thomas also finished as northeast Tennessee’s leading rusher from a career with over 6,436 yards, topping Dalton Boles from West Greene.
The senior standout rusher from Elizabethton also competed in the highly-touted Toyota East/West Classic held in Cookeville during Dec. He received the most valuable player for the East squad, including over 70 yards on five carries.
Birchfield was the go-to man for the Cyclones in the special teams aspect for the team and etched his TSSAA record books finishing in the top three of most extra points kicked in a career. Thomas’ teammate joined in the success from his spot, netting all-conference honors, along with a bevy of accolades throughout his career.
Guinn is a representative from Hampton High School, who finished 9-2 last year, and anchored both sides of the Bulldogs’ line while earning Watauga Valley all-conference honors.
Guinn and Thomas also received Applebee’s of Elizabethton Player of the Week honors, presented by CarterCountySports.com, during the past season.