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He has great instincts for locating the ball both as a receiver and as a defender. Great jumping ability, quickness, timing and Division 1 speed. It might be a toss up,but I think his size might be better suited for a receiver.

Don't expect the Ad's to lose four in a row. Danville in this one.

Don't worry speed kills. Big kids like that are usually dragging before half time and not a factor in the second half. The difference is that Boyle's big kids are quick and get to the ball in bunches. We have some real hitters on this team.

You can be sure that the Boyle coaching staff will not allow this team to overlook Collins or anyone else. Not only will they prepare for every opponent, but they also have the big picture of the post season in mind for everything they do. The players , regardless of their position on the depth chart all have individual goals they are working toward. Remember this is still a young team, with 10 seniors and only four of those start or share starting positions. This is why I think this team will show progress each and every game. I look for the Rebels to dominate in this game as a top 5 team in the state(all classes) should.

I heard that Trent Lanham may be out for the season. He was injured in the Danville game. Hope he has a quick recovery.

Boyle is just starting to reach their potential. They are getting people back that have been out or that haven't been 100%.Several young players are stepping up. The older players are leading this team as expected. The defense is now awesome and will get even better. The offense is beginning to jell with even more weapons than they started the season with. Fun to watch.

I agree with you guys on the running back. As far as the best athlete on the team you certainly can't leave out Reese Smith. Landon may be slightly faster, but Reese excels in other areas. I would call it a draw as to who is best. We are very lucky to have them both.

Wayne had a nice win over Warren East, so we have to come out aggressive early in this game. I thought we let Danville be the aggressor early in that game. The good part was that we were able to come back for a nice win. We have a lot to work on. The nice part is that we have five weeks before our first tough district game at Lex Cath. We have all the pieces for another great run. We found two more receivers that can catch the ball in tough situations. I thought Cameron Yates and Luke Sheperson both made huge catches in the game at critical times with 3 catches each. Hopefully Crawford will be back to 100% soon. I know Chuck will make the right decision on when he can return. I hope Hatter will be back to normal this week. He is so important to our defense being dominant.

It is really good to see some of the younger kids stepping up, making plays that you haven't heard that much about. Marquis Kinley, Luke Shepperson, Hayden Bottoms Will McDaniel, Drew Baker, Issac Hardwick, Caleb Holderman, Jake Hester, Jackson Lakes, Caleb Edminston, Zack Mason plus others I am sure deserve mention. Some of you fans help me out on others I have forgotten. Every year the Rebels lose some really good players, but these kids are taking right up where the others left off.

There are always corrections to be made after an opening game, especially against a very good opponent. I am sure the staff will work to correct those shortcomings. The main thing that bothered me was the total breakdown the last 3:48 of the 1st half where terrible play selection and clock mis-management nearly cost us the lead that we had worked so hard for. Clock management is just as important to keep the other teams offense off the field as it is to score yourself. With a good field goal kicker, like we have leaves me with even more of a question mark. Then the last play call before the half was totally foolish with their secondary playing 15 yds off the line of scrimmage. All I could think about was last years Danville fiasco. Thank goodness for our defense. Why is the OC coordinator only putting Reese Smith in on 3rd down at times we need every advantage we can muster to try and score? In the second half every time Reese came in on 3rd down he was double covered, even on that last tremendous catch and run. Just my obsevation and about eveyone else that was watching the game.

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.

The Boyle secondary is led by all-state safety Reese Smith. They are quick, fast and opportunistic.

I think this game will answer questions for both teams. The Rebel's defense is really good. Their offense is good right now, but will get better with each game. I think the real question here is about Ballard and how long it will take them to mold into a solid unit with their new players added that are supposed to be good.I understand their best running back was injured in the scrimmage and is out for three weeks. I feel Boyle will win and I am conservative at 35-7.

Boyle will have some of their linemen going both ways in certain situations in big games. I really don't see a problem at all with their line play. I know we lost some great seniors, but many of these younger kids have grown up since the end of last season. We have coaches on the staff that can have these young guys ready if anyone can.

Boyle and Ballard has to be one of the premier match ups of all the bowl games, if not the best. Both teams deserve a lot of credit for making this game a reality, as well as Mercer. Not many teams are willing to take on such a quality opponent this early in the season. Should be a full stadium to watch this one. Can't wait.

Not for all. I do know that some are between 6'1 to 6'3 range.

Who?

We haven't mentioned how good this team is going to be on defense. This can be one of the best defensive teams that the Rebels have had in a long time. The quickness, size , toughness , football smarts and the fact that Chuck is one of best defensive coaches in the game makes this group special. Too many really good defenders to try and name them all. I will leave this up to some of the rest of you supporters to single them out.

Speed kills, and Boyle has a ton of it. They have other very good receivers in addition to Reese. They have the best young kicker in the nation in Jackson Smith, just a freshman. I think they have six linemen over 280 with all state Wilson Kelly at 300 and super quick. There are many others in their supporting cast that most people haven't heard of, but will know their names before the season is over.

Travis is a very good coach. Boyle is very fortunate to get him and add to an already great staff.

Something to be very proud of. Tremendous help to all of your sports programs.

The last half of the Danville game and he knew the finger was broken, but refused to stay out of the game. He went on to score 10 more points in that game after the fingers were broken not counting the rebounds and defense that helped lead Boyle to the win against a tough, physical rival.

Tough loss. Sloan only plays 12 minutes with one basket. 15 turnovers, many unforced. These kids still played well enough to win in spite of foul trouble. Reese Smith unbelievable to go out with two broken fingers and still score 24. One was a complete break, I saw the x rays. The rest of the team has been tremendous also. Will, Baby J and Bryce have provided so many great moments. The other senior Matt Bodner has contributed at times and greatly in practice. You can't say enough about Grant Hotchkiss and his contribution to this team. Never giving up or giving in has been the thing that defines this team.

These kids from Boyle are just tough, hardnosed and more athletic than what you see at first glance. Outrebounded a bigger, very athletic Danville team and turned them over numerous times down the stretch. Once Boyle got out of their press and played some zone, Danville still tried to go inside with no success. Good luck in the Region to both teams.

Grant Hotchkiss only had 8 points but I feel he was the outstanding player of the game for the Rebels. He fought their bigs inside all night long, rebounded, had steals ,assists and played great defense. One of the best total efforts that I have seen in a long time.