November 10, 2023
Rutherford County Schools
The inductees are:
Jeff Boynton, Soccer (2001-04): Boynton was a four-year starter for the Blaze, but excelled in his junior and senior years, posting All-State and All-Area selections in 2004, when the Blaze earned its first state tournament bid. He also was chosen as an All-District selection in 2003 and 2004, as well as The Daily News Journal MVP in those years. He was a member of the Select State Champion Under-18 team for 2003 and was named a Tennessee Soccer Association Olympic developmental teams.
After high school, Boynton played for Lipscomb University (2004-07). While playing for the Bisons, he played professionally for the Nashville Metros. Boynton now teaches at Oakland High and has led the Patriots to the state tournament four times.
Matthew Sells, Wrestling (2014-17): Sells is one of the leaders of the storied BHS wrestling program. As a freshman, he was a Region 5-AAA champion and won two matches at the Class AAA state tournament. In his sophomore year, Sells was named to The Daily News Journal’s All-Area wrestling team, where he was again a Region 5-AAA champion and placed fourth in the Class AAA state tournament. Sells leveled up again as a junior, repeating as a Region 5-AAA champ and winning the Class AAA 160-pound state title. In 2017, he became Blackman’s first and only two-time state champion and was a finalist for the All-Area wrestler of the year.
Sells went on to wrestle at Cumberland University in Lebanon. He is currently employed as Registered Nurse Resident in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Donovan Sims, Basketball (2014-17): One of the most prolific guards in Blaze boys' basketball history, Sims was a leader on the floor with impressive court vision. As a senior, he averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals a game, earning All-District 7-AAA honors and was tournament MVP. His leadership helped the Blaze to an 85-11 record during his four years. Sims made the All-District team and All-Region team in his junior and senior seasons. He led the Blaze to the TSSAA state tournament semifinals appearance as a junior.
Sims continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Middle Tennessee State University, where he holds the record for games played (140), is tied for second in career steals (156), fifth in career assists (349) and 19th on the career scoring list (1,177). In his final season, he was chosen as a Conference USA Honorable Mention player.
Bill Vice, Soccer (2000-2023): Vice is a legend in the Middle Tennessee soccer community, having coached the Blackman High boys’ and girls’ soccer teams since the school opened in 2000 until his retirement earlier this year.
During his tenure, Vice tallied over 500 wins (including over 300 with the boys’ team) and routinely coached the team to deep postseason runs. Vice coached the girls’ team to the state tournament in 2003, and the boys’ team to the state tournament in 2004, 2005, 2007, finishing as 2018 Class AAA state runner-up. Vice left behind a legacy of consistency and success at Blackman with many former players moving on to play collegiately and professionally, including Colleen Kennedy, Katie Smith, Jeff Boynton, Felipe Hernandez, Jeff Porter and Matt Reed. He was heavily involved with area youth soccer and instructional clinics for coaches. Vice currently assists with the Stones River Soccer Club.
