What does Boyle County need to do to improve in 2017? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

I stated on a post earlier in the week when I was commenting on Belfry that a few coaches I know that I've talked with in 3A feel this Boyle team is the most talented team chuck has had since coming back. Senior Will Bramel who has multiple D1 offers leading a talented and large offensive line, and Boyle also has tremendous speed at all skilled positions. Boyles defense returns most of its players and the D line will be led by sophomore Wilson Kelly who I heard has also got Division 1 schools interested. They also have Paycheck back on the line who was a All State player. Boyle should be great up front. The question mark for Boyle is the most important position, the QB.Does anyone know who has been playing there during spring practice?

Catholic also will be loaded with a great Qb and Rb, both have offers. Beau Allen is just a freshman Qb that has a Division 1 offer. He is capable of picking a defense apart. Boyle hasn't been able to beat Catholic over the past few years, so that's what Boyle has to be able to do this year to improve, beat Catholic and find consistency at the Qb position.

The question mark for Boyle is the most important position, the QB.Does anyone know who has been playing there during spring practice?

 

Pretty much spot on with your analysis about Boyle.

 

Reed Lanter is the only QB for Boyle working out this Spring. Sam Tiller is knee-deep in baseball as is Grant Hotchkiss as well. This is a great opportunity for Reed to showcase his abilities. Thus far I think he has shown well.

 

My personal opinion is the QB job is Sam Tiller's to lose, and he may very well do that. Boyle's offense is much better suited with a QB who can tuck it and run when needed and neither Tiller or Lanter are built for that for a whole season. Grant Hotchkiss is a better run threat but maybe not the passer that Tiller and Lanter bring to the field.

 

I am confident the Boyle Coaching staff will have a solid plan in place when the time comes.

 

Otherwise, Boyle looks really solid everywhere else. Big and experienced up front on both sides of the ball. Remember Boyle only lost 10 seniors and only 6 really contributed significantly so the Rebels experience level should be really strong as well.

 

I certainly expect this team to be better than 7-5 with a 2nd round exit again. At the end of the day Boyle has to win the district (which means beat Lex Cath) so they do not hit the road in Round 2.

I think Boyle takes a significant step forward in 2017.

 

They should be stout at the L.O.S. and have some high quality play makers littered across the roster.

 

Reese Smith is a special talent and will be one of the top players in Class 3A this year as a Sophomore.

 

To me the big key to Boyle's fortunes is how they protect the football and how well they tackle especially in the 2nd level.

 

Last year it seemed those two things worked in tandem to doom Boyle in most of their losses. When Boyle would find some success on Offense it seemed an untimely turnover was always around the corner. Once they turned it over it seemed like only a matter of time before they would give up a big play or make a critical missed tackle that would extend a drive.

 

With a year of experience I see some of the Defensive issues improving, but the turnovers still have to be a major cause of concern.

 

I have a hard time seeing a scenario where Boyle isn't a Top 5 or 6 team in Class 3A this year, and fully expect them to have a puncher's chance at the State Finals despite being in that brutal region.

I agree with everything that has been said so far. I think the battle for the QB spot is going to be the most intense battle for the starting QB spot in the history of Boyle County football. They could charge admission to watch those 3 battle it out in practice for the starting job and I'd probably pay almost any fee. For real. All 3 have the talent and ability to win the job.

Can someone post the full schedule? Thanks in advance.

Can someone post the full schedule? Thanks in advance.

 

August 19 John Hardin (Bowl) at Mercer Co. 5 pm

Mercer Co. vs Harrison Co. 2nd game

 

August 26 Waggner (PBK Rebel Bowl) at Boyle Co. 8 pm

Mercer Co. vs Franklin Co. 1st game

 

Sept 1 Danville Away 7:30

Sept 8 Wayne Co. Home 7:30

Sept 15 Collins Away 7:30

Sept 22 North Hardin Home 7:30

Sept 29 Open

Oct 6 Garrard Co. Away 7:30

Oct 13 Lexington Cath Home 7:30

Oct 20 Western Hills Home 7:30

Oct 27 Mercer Co. Away 7:30

 

All of Boyle's game except for one game are in the county or in the surrounding counties. Only game that they really have to travel to is Collins.

That's a damn good schedule for real. There isn't a game on there that I would call an easy victory.

One of the hardest schedules they have had in a long time.

Quality Schedule.

 

I don't see any high end teams that you look and say "WOW! Boyle is going to be in trouble", but as mentioned there isn't a cakewalk in the lot. Ten teams who you have to show up and play and a handful of which that can beat you even when you bring it.

Boyle has had the same problem since 2011. Enough quality linemen on the offensive and defensive fronts. Too many going both ways and replacing starters 5 and 6 games into the season trying to find that guy who will step up. They have had some very good linemen playing for them on both sides of the ball since 2011. Just not enough. '09 and '10 state championship teams had NO O linemen playing defense and NO D linemen playing offense. I have posted this same post for about 5 years now and I get fussed at every year when I do but nothing has changed. IT ALL STARTS UP FRONT and always will. I don't mind the schedule. If you wanna be the best you play the best. Also please don't post a list of all of the linemen that will be on the team this year. I'm not trying to call anyone out. Just not enough depth in the trenches. Been missing it for a while.

I think consistency in the QB position will be the determining factor. I agree that Hotchkiss is the better runner and is a winner. He will be on the field somewhere on both offense and defense. Boyle has a stable of outstanding runners, with Bartleston, Reese Smith, Crawford plus one other soph to be, so a running QB may not be in the main focus. We need to get the ball in the hands of Reese more often and the other receivers like Colwick. Sorry that I am leaving out names, but I don't have a program in front of me. The offensive coordinator must be able to utilize all of this talent that we are blessed with. I don't think that happened last year with the excuse that we were so young. That can't happen this year. Sorry to leave out the defense, but I am sure we will talk about those guys as well as the offensive line.

I think consistency in the QB position will be the determining factor. I agree that Hotchkiss is the better runner and is a winner. He will be on the field somewhere on both offense and defense. Boyle has a stable of outstanding runners, with Bartleston, Reese Smith, Crawford plus one other soph to be, so a running QB may not be in the main focus. We need to get the ball in the hands of Reese more often and the other receivers like Colwick. Sorry that I am leaving out names, but I don't have a program in front of me. The offensive coordinator must be able to utilize all of this talent that we are blessed with. I don't think that happened last year with the excuse that we were so young. That can't happen this year. Sorry to leave out the defense, but I am sure we will talk about those guys as well as the offensive line.

 

I agree the QB position is going to be the key to a successful season and I believe Reed Lanter gives Boyle the best shot at a successful season.

Any word on how Spring Practice went?

Spring Practice was very productive. I think about 43 players participated and Boyle actually played a Black/Gold game on May 1.

 

No real surprises...Boyle is big up front on both sides and have some pretty good skilled position players participating this Spring.

 

The main two issues for Boyle is who will win the QB spot and more importantly can Boyle find enough lineman depth to minimize 2 way players.

 

I like this team a bunch. Should have great experience and great leadership this year!