Boone Co at Conner this Friday at 7 pm.

 

This is the opening game for each team. Tell us the keys to victory for both. Allow me to get us started with some thoughts about Boone County.

 

On offense Boone County needs to have a little diversity. They have been a running team for so long and this will not change this year. Without having much to base this on it seems like they rely on pounding the ball up the middle. It would be nice to see a defense have to worry about some off tackle and edge rushing as well. In addition, the passing game will be determined by the O-line. QB Grau will need time to throw to his young receiving core. They need to find out who has reliable hands and can get open so that the opposing defense can't key on stopping the run.

 

On defense, the secondary will need to step up. Again, there is inexperience here. We'll just have to see as the first game unwinds. Containing the run around the edge will be key and forcing it to the middle. The linebackers are the most experienced group on defense.

 

We haven't been able to see any of the special teams perform in game-like situations with the scrimmages. Last season field position was a big problem. It seemed like Boone Co started many offensive drives deep on their side of the field and when you grind out yards, that's a long way to go. Their opponents started with a short field on many drives and that puts lots of pressure on the defense. Kick and punt coverage is crucial to field position and will dictate the flow of a game.

 

One last comment. The Rebels fortunes will go with their conditioning. There are so many two-way players. It is hard to be equally effective on offense and defense when you are sucking wind. The scrimmage against Cooper revealed the whole team has some work to do here.

I saw their team photo on Twitter recently. I counted only 44 kids. That is crazy for a 6A schedule.

Anyone from Conner care to comment on your team? Anyone else from Boone have anything to add to my comments or disagree with them?

 

Anyone else who is a fan of High School football have some insight to share about either of these two teams?

John Mark Schutt is a excellent player both on offense and defense. Tough kid to bring down and has a nose for the ball on defense. Fun player to watch.

Anyone from Conner care to comment on your team? Anyone else from Boone have anything to add to my comments or disagree with them?

 

Anyone else who is a fan of High School football have some insight to share about either of these two teams?

 

Sure, I hope Boone keeps it together this year. Additionally, I would love to see Grau have a good year.

 

On Conner, the good teams look at the Cougars like a 6A Cupcake, so it's not like the Rebels are facing the 1983 Conner State Champs.