That is what I would expect from a program like Boyle, as well as Highlands. I would be interested in hearing what sophomores will start varsity for Highlands this year. As good as that freshman team was, I still would be surprised if more than one or two starts varsity at Highlands as a sophomore. The Bluebirds have too much quality depth for that to happen.

 

Don't know at this point what if any sophomores will start; but even if they don't start, they will provide quality depth. Depth is always important but it's particularly important for the early season games because of the heat. When you strict two platoon, you are going to have to count on sophomores to be the back up players. In the extreme heat its likely they will see a fair amount of action. If they are high quality players, it makes a difference particularly if the other team's back ups aren't as talented or if the other team has to use some players going both ways.

 

And we should never discount the importance of special team play (not saying you were) and the impact of sophomores on special teams. If Boyle has to use a lot of sophomores on special teams (again particularly in the early season in order to give the junior and senior starters a break from heat), the results of last year's frosh game provides some comfort to me.

Don't know at this point what if any sophomores will start; but even if they don't start, they will provide quality depth. Depth is always important but it's particularly important for the early season games because of the heat. When you strict two platoon, you are going to have to count on sophomores to be the back up players. In the extreme heat its likely they will see a fair amount of action. If they are high quality players, it makes a difference particularly if the other team's back ups aren't as talented or if the other team has to use some players going both ways.

 

And we should never discount the importance of special team play (not saying you were) and the impact of sophomores on special teams. If Boyle has to use a lot of sophomores on special teams (again particularly in the early season in order to give the junior and senior starters a break from heat), the results of last year's frosh game provides some comfort to me.

 

Those are all good points LN. And I agree that sophomores surely provide depth. The fewer you use, the better off you probably are, outside of special teams and/or very specific roles. IMO, the more sophomores that start for a varsity team, the weaker the team. Of course there are those special athletes that you have to get on the field but usually there aren't many that are that good, big and strong as a sophomore, especially in a top level program.

I'll be shocked if we have more than 3 sophomores playing special teams. We have 2 that may see time sparingly throughout the year. One at DB and maybe some RB and the other maybe at LB or on the DL but that is it. I can see both being contributors to special teams and I am fine with that but I am quite certain we have plenty of juniors and seniors to provide depth for heat. The sophomore class will be a non factor for Boyle County this year. It would take a lot of injuries for us to have to turn to them.

The whole sophomore thing come down to coaching philosophy. One school of thought is to use your back ups on special teams, and the second school of thought is use your starters on special teams. Both have their positives and negatives, but some coaches subscribe to one and others subscribe to the other.

New starters? I don't know. They're new. I haven't seen them yet.

 

What the hell PP you're slacking, you're supposed to be videotaping every practice and taking notes at home as you break down the films...

What the hell PP you're slacking, you're supposed to be videotaping every practice and taking notes at home as you break down the films...

 

 

 

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Those are all good points LN. And I agree that sophomores surely provide depth. The fewer you use, the better off you probably are, outside of special teams and/or very specific roles. IMO, the more sophomores that start for a varsity team, the weaker the team. Of course there are those special athletes that you have to get on the field but usually there aren't many that are that good, big and strong as a sophomore, especially in a top level program.

 

I think the bolded is particularly true about sophomore linemen. But I believe that sophomores playing other positions can make significant contributions (either on the special teams, as key back ups and in some limited cases as starters). If Highlands can have 4 or 5 sophomores capable of providing quality minutes, in addition to the junior and senior players, that just means the players Highlands puts on the field will be fresher and will be able to receive more coaching during the game. And again, the likely heat in the Highlands Boyle game will put a premium on quality depth. I don't care how good of shape a kid is in, if he's playing both ways (full or even part time) and has to play some special teams because the sophomore class can't provide some quality minutes, that kid is going to be disadvantaged when he's lined up against a kid of equal talent and conditioning that only has to play one way and doesn't have to play special team because his team can get quality minutes out of its sophomore class.

 

By the way, I saw a youtube video of the Hester boy. Kid is a stud. Heck he was a stud as a sophomore. I realize it was Hester's highlight video but he impressed me more than the Dawson kid did. Theilemann kid is a dang fine ball player also. Boyle's defense should be outstanding. I hope I'm wrong, but I think this game is going to be a whole lot closer than some folks are predicting and will be a much lower score than some expect.

I think the bolded is particularly true about sophomore linemen. But I believe that sophomores playing other positions can make significant contributions (either on the special teams, as key back ups and in some limited cases as starters). If Highlands can have 4 or 5 sophomores capable of providing quality minutes, in addition to the junior and senior players, that just means the players Highlands puts on the field will be fresher and will be able to receive more coaching during the game. And again, the likely heat in the Highlands Boyle game will put a premium on quality depth. I don't care how good of shape a kid is in, if he's playing both ways (full or even part time) and has to play some special teams because the sophomore class can't provide some quality minutes, that kid is going to be disadvantaged when he's lined up against a kid of equal talent and conditioning that only has to play one way and doesn't have to play special team because his team can get quality minutes out of its sophomore class.

By the way, I saw a youtube video of the Hester boy. Kid is a stud. Heck he was a stud as a sophomore. I realize it was Hester's highlight video but he impressed me more than the Dawson kid did. Theilemann kid is a dang fine ball player also. Boyle's defense should be outstanding. I hope I'm wrong, but I think this game is going to be a whole lot closer than some folks are predicting and will be a much lower score than some expect.

 

 

He's one of those kids that doesn't look like he is moving fast or is elusive but he is. His sophomore year it seemed like every time he touched the ball he scored. I think he may have been second on the team in td's behind Rees Macshara that year. He was hampered by a hamstring injury last year and pretty much just played on defense last year. He did some work at qb during the spring practices and in the spring scrimmage but that was mainly because Casey Whittle(possible starting qb) was playing baseball. Hester is at his best offensively when we are putting the ball in his hands. Defensively, he has always impressed me just as much as Lamar.

Highlands 28-7.

Highlands 28-7.

 

Boyle Co. will be facing a bunch of mad Birds after the scrimmage @ Trinity last night !!

Who wins, why?

They are both excellent teams but I think Highlands has more motivation and they are the better team. I like Highlands by a couple of touchdowns or more.

 

What say you?

Highlands 28-14.

Boyle is one team, not named Trinity or St X, who will not be intimidated by Highlands.. They're well coached, disciplined and talented enough to compete toe to toe. Plus, they're at home. If anything, the Trinity debacle that Highlands ran into, only strengthened Boyles confidence that they can play with and beat Highlands. In addition, the 3 years they beat Highlands when they 1st went to 3a, gives them alot of confidence. Sure, noone from those teams are here anymore, but, pyschologically gives there kids an edge. And regardless of what some may say or think, Highlands confidence and swagger took a blow last week and everyone knows the mental part of a game can be as important as the physical, especially when it pits 2 teams of equal talent and thats what we have here.

I agree their swagger took a hit just look at all the post from the Highlands people, they are on vacation.