I think it should be noted that most of the yards came from the 1st half. Boyle County made some adjustments on halftime on defense and was able to shut out the Bruins in the 2nd half. Offensively Boyle County struggled in the 2nd half. Alot of that could do with how big and fast Ballard was.

I think it should be noted that most of the yards came from the 1st half. Boyle County made some adjustments on halftime on defense and was able to shut out the Bruins in the 2nd half. Offensively Boyle County struggled in the 2nd half. Alot of that could do with how big and fast Ballard was.

 

I also think it had something to do with no Crawford so when Bartelson came in he was fatigued more than usual.

Smith is really, really good.

 

His hands are unbelievable. The catch on his touchdown in the fourth quarter was almost textbook as he was being hounded on that play. He's fun to watch.

I think it should be noted that most of the yards came from the 1st half. Boyle County made some adjustments on halftime on defense and was able to shut out the Bruins in the 2nd half. Offensively Boyle County struggled in the 2nd half. Alot of that could do with how big and fast Ballard was.

 

I think the weather hurt both teams in the second half, too. There weren't many turnovers but the balls and the footing seemed slippery at times. Neither team looked as comfortable on the field in the second half as they did the first.

Ballard was able to run the ball with much more success than I thought they could . Ballards offensive line is HUGE and Boyles 3 man front was getting worked in the first half. Don't know if it was the rain or adjustments that the coaching staff made but the second half was a different story. Aaron Hatter had 2 or 3 sacks and Wilson Kelly was able to get to the Ballard QB as well and once they were able to hurry and disrupt on almost every play the Ballard offense sputtered.

If Ballard were a little more disciplined this game would have easily swung in there favor. Penalties and turnovers were their undoing.

Ballard looked good at times and definitely had their chances to be right there.

 

They have to clean some things and I think their kicking game (all aspects) will lag far behind other top 6A schools

Smith had the D-line just try to contain and not rush the QB in the first half. Second half Boyle went after Carr and at one point halfway in the 4th. quarter Ballard had more plays for a loss than gained.

 

I too felt Boyle's running game struggled some because of Crawford being out but I feel it had more to do with Ballard's very good front 7 on defense. They was on Sacco as soon as he got the ball. Just what Boyle needed to show where they need improvement. Boyle will be a better team for playing Ballard.

Looking at Rebelstats halftime and final game stats for Ballard's yardage they had -2 yards rushing and 16 yards passing for the second half. That's pretty dog gone good in my book!

 

Rushing 13 for -2

Passing 3 for 16

1 Firstdown.

That might be best team Boyle will play until late in playoffs if then Reece Smith is awesome

Reese Smith is the best Junior in the State! Kid is a straight player!!! He's also tough as nails. Love that kid!!

What else can you say about Reese Smith and Landen Bartleson that hasn't been said before. They both refused to lose. They both play both ways and draw the tough assignments. That last TD catch and run by Reese might have been the guttiest(if there is such a word)play you will see in high school football. Landen scores three tough TD's and they both play great defense. I don't mean to leave out other good efforts by the Rebels, but these two carried the fight to a very good and tough team all game. Boyle won a game without playing their best against a really tough 6A opponent.

 

Reese Smith is the best Junior in the State! Kid is a straight player!!! He's also tough as nails. Love that kid!!

 

That last catch for a TD by Smith was fantastic!

Reese Smith is the best Junior in the State! Kid is a straight player!!! He's also tough as nails. Love that kid!!

 

Took one heck of a hit 2 plays earlier from #6 before his great 4th. quarter touchdown. Got up and went on. Tough as they come!

If Ballard was a little more disciplined, they could have made this one interesting. The big play was a pick 6 by Ballard with 8 seconds to go in the first half. Unfortunately, they couldn't stop themselves from hitting the QB late, which resulted in a personal foul that took the touchdown off the board. They avoid that penalty and it's a tie game heading into the half and Ballard has all the momentum.

 

That was one of several personal fouls and other penalties by Ballard. You make mistakes like that against a state championship caliber team and you just aren't going to win.

Looking at Rebelstats halftime and final game stats for Ballard's yardage they had -2 yards rushing and 16 yards passing for the second half. That's pretty dog gone good in my book!

 

Rushing 13 for -2

Passing 3 for 16

1 Firstdown.

 

This is why I think it was more coaching adjustments than the weather.

Discipline has been an issue for Ballard over the past couple years, IMO. They always have the size/talent to beat anybody, but get in their own way a lot of the time.