By thegeneral

 

Without question, Boyle County is a young bunch. But that isn't reason enough to write off the Rebels.

 

For while youth and inexperience could certainly keep them from getting as far as they'd like, there is also young talent that could allow them to do some special things this season.

 

Whether that will happen, of course, depends on whether — or how quuickly — they can overcome the growing pains that always beset a teaam with so many new faces on the field.

 

Boyle returns six starters on offense but brings back only two on defense, so there will be quite a few of those new faces on the field when the Rebels open the season Aug. 23 at Lincoln County.

 

Many of them will be found on the offensive and defensive lines, not only because there are holes to fill there but also because coach Larry French would like to develop enough depth to allow most or all of his linemen to play on only one side of the ball.

 

There is some experience on offense, starting with senior running back Seph Burke, who rushed for 1,458 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Burke will work alongside junior Aiden Stewart-Hoskins, who performed well in a supporting role last season.

 

Quarterback Josiah Robbins also got some experience as a freshman last year, and at more than one position. He played quarterback, running back and wide receiver at times last year, which has prepared him to be the kind of athletic quarterback that can be most difficult to defend.

 

When Robbins passes, he'll throw to a very inexperienced group of receivers. The top returning receiver, senior Levi McKinney, had only seven catches last season.

 

On the lines, seniors Dylan Boures and Justin Routin return to lead a bevy of largely untested players.

There will be young players everywhere on defense as well, with Burke and Stewart-Hoskins leading from two of the linebacker positions.

 

The Rebels roster contains 45 players, almost exactly the same number as last year. There are a couple of additions to the coaching staff, including one noteworthy pickup in Jerry Perry, the former Garrard County coach and longtime Danville defensive coordinator, who adds to an already impressive list of former head coaches on French's staff.

 

Boyle will play another tough schedule, though it might not be quite as brutal as it was the last two years. Class 5A powerhouses Highlands and John Hardin are no longer on the schedule, and while the Rebels still face two strong 5A foes — Warren Central and Anderson County — both of of those games will be at home this season.

 

There will also be games at Danville and George Rogers Clark before Boyle opens its District 4A-5 schedule Sept. 27 at Taylor County. The Rebels face district favorite Lexington Catholic, which defeated them twice last season, on Oct. 4 at home.

 

Players to watch:

 

- Seph Burke (Sr. RB/DB.) 1,428 rushing yards, 17 rushing TD’s. 11 pass receptions, 150 yards and 4 TD’s receiving. 2 INT’s for 51 yards and 62 total tackles with 52 of them being solo.

 

- Aiden Hoskins (Sr. RB/DB) 319 rush yards and 7 rushing TD’s. 31 tackles with 28 of them being solo.

 

- Josiah Robbins (Jr. QB/DB). 11 pass completions for 191 yards. 26 pass receptions, 540 receiving yards and 6 passing TD’s. 41 tackles with 34 of them being solo.

 

 

Schedule:

 

Aug 23, 13 @ Lincoln County (Death Valley Bowl) 6 PM

Aug 31, 13 Warren Central (Stuart Powell Bowl) 8 PM

Sep 6, 13 @ Danville 7:30 PM

Sep 13, 13 Anderson County 7:30 PM

Sep 20, 13 @ George Rogers Clark 7:30 PM

Sep 27, 13 @ Taylor County 7:30 PM

Oct 4, 13 Lexington Catholic 7:30 PM

Oct 18, 13 Marion County 7:30 PM

Oct 25, 13 @ Mercer County 7:30 PM

Nov 1, 13 Whitley County 7:30 PM

Edited August 17, 201313 yr by PurplePride92

Good stuff. This helps me out a ton as to what Boyle County has going on for them this season. I look forward to next week.

Seeing them up close and personal at our scrimmage against them. I really like their Soph. QB. Nice athlete with a good strong and accurate arm, and some nice speed. Also liked one of the backs, seemed to be very athletic, had a very nice catch and run after he broke a tackle to score against us. They didn't get much pressure out of their D Line against our Pass protection but did a good job against the run. All in all, I like the Boyle County team. Had a DB that had 2 picks, wore #15 I believe, that I thought was pretty good as well.

 

Just some observations.....

Boyle felt that the scrimmage was very good for them. Not just because that they came out on top 31 to 14, but knowing how young they were and still holding TC's running game in check for most of the game. They certainly feel that their pass defense will improve as well, even though there was just that one glaring breakdown. The offense with the starting center and QB both being sophs should improve a great deal this next week. I felt that TC was a good team and look forward to see how they progress this year.