Boyle County took a step in the right direction with a win over Dixie Heights last week. Now coach Larry French wants the Rebels (2-3) to keep it going in this week’s Class AAAA, District 5 opener against unbeaten Taylor County.
“Any win is a good win, so our kids played with good effort and we came out on the positive end. That’s a step in the right direction. We had some kids step up and play well for us,” French said. ‘We still have problems we need to try and iron out, but we’re getting a little better.”
Taylor has opened the season 4-0, outscoring its opponents — McCreary Central, Casey County, Campbellsville and Breckinridge County — by an average score of 40-13. The Boyle defense is giving up 32 points and 413 yards per game.
The Cardinals’ offense operates out of the triple option, led by 150-pound sophomore quarterback Hunter Christie.
Dylan¿Bright, a 153-pound junior, is the team’s fullback, and seniors Dalton Turpin (5-9, 147) and Josh Gillmer (5-5, 140) are the team’s running backs.
“They run that triple option and like to run the power game. They use the pass for a big play-type gain for them,” French said. “We’ve got to be solid and disciplined on defense, and we’ve got to be able to tackle well, especially in the open field.
“They’ve got three good running backs and the quarterback runs the ball well, too. All four can run the ball back there. They make you be disciplined on defense. They like to run the dive and the option. They live and die with the option. And they have a big, strong line.”
Taylor will be the first option team the Rebels have faced this season, which makes it difficult to prepare for.
“We saw a little against Rowan County in the preseason, but that’s something we have to work on in practice and instill in the kids to be disciplined in their responsibilities,” French said. “If we do, we’ll be in good shape and not have problems.”
Boyle is putting up 30 points and 378 yards per game.
After his career-high 278 yards passing and four touchdowns last week against Dixie Heights, quarterback Casey Whittle is 39 of 81 passing for 633 yards and six touchdowns and four interceptions.
And after having turnover issues all season, Boyle lost just one fumble last Friday. That was an improvement, but not good enough for French.
“It’s good, but you really don’t want any turnovers,” French said. “But it was good to come over on the short end of turnovers.”
Seph Burke has rushed for 577 yards and six touchdowns, Lloyd Hall has 313 yards and four scores, and Aiden Hoskins has rushed for 131 yards and two more touchdowns as Boyle averages 237 yards rushing per game.
Not all the news was good for Boyle coming out of Friday’s game.
Clint Hellyer, who missed the first two games with a broken collarbone, broke it again last week and French said he is likely out for “a while.” Hellyer also had two interceptions. He has a team-high 14 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown.
In his place, Boyle will lean more on freshman Josiah Robbins, who has six receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns, Hall (12-137), Blake Mason (8-110, 1 TD) and Austin Muntz (5-56).
Also out this week for Boyle is senior lineman Trey Yeager with a high ankle sprain.
“We’re nursing some kids right now, and we’re trying to get healthy,” French said. “Again, we’ve got young kids that have to step up and play well.”
But with the so-called second season beginning, French knows there are no excuses.
“I think the bottom line is, we’ve got to win if we want to do anything in the district race. We’ve got to get that first win, and Taylor presents problems,” French said. “We’ve got to execute our offense and defense and we’ve got to play well. We’re not going to be able to just show up and play and win the game. We’ve got too many injuries, and this time of year we have to come together and play as a unit.”
“Any win is a good win, so our kids played with good effort and we came out on the positive end. That’s a step in the right direction. We had some kids step up and play well for us,” French said. ‘We still have problems we need to try and iron out, but we’re getting a little better.”
Taylor has opened the season 4-0, outscoring its opponents — McCreary Central, Casey County, Campbellsville and Breckinridge County — by an average score of 40-13. The Boyle defense is giving up 32 points and 413 yards per game.
The Cardinals’ offense operates out of the triple option, led by 150-pound sophomore quarterback Hunter Christie.
Dylan¿Bright, a 153-pound junior, is the team’s fullback, and seniors Dalton Turpin (5-9, 147) and Josh Gillmer (5-5, 140) are the team’s running backs.
“They run that triple option and like to run the power game. They use the pass for a big play-type gain for them,” French said. “We’ve got to be solid and disciplined on defense, and we’ve got to be able to tackle well, especially in the open field.
“They’ve got three good running backs and the quarterback runs the ball well, too. All four can run the ball back there. They make you be disciplined on defense. They like to run the dive and the option. They live and die with the option. And they have a big, strong line.”
Taylor will be the first option team the Rebels have faced this season, which makes it difficult to prepare for.
“We saw a little against Rowan County in the preseason, but that’s something we have to work on in practice and instill in the kids to be disciplined in their responsibilities,” French said. “If we do, we’ll be in good shape and not have problems.”
Boyle is putting up 30 points and 378 yards per game.
After his career-high 278 yards passing and four touchdowns last week against Dixie Heights, quarterback Casey Whittle is 39 of 81 passing for 633 yards and six touchdowns and four interceptions.
And after having turnover issues all season, Boyle lost just one fumble last Friday. That was an improvement, but not good enough for French.
“It’s good, but you really don’t want any turnovers,” French said. “But it was good to come over on the short end of turnovers.”
Seph Burke has rushed for 577 yards and six touchdowns, Lloyd Hall has 313 yards and four scores, and Aiden Hoskins has rushed for 131 yards and two more touchdowns as Boyle averages 237 yards rushing per game.
Not all the news was good for Boyle coming out of Friday’s game.
Clint Hellyer, who missed the first two games with a broken collarbone, broke it again last week and French said he is likely out for “a while.” Hellyer also had two interceptions. He has a team-high 14 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown.
In his place, Boyle will lean more on freshman Josiah Robbins, who has six receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns, Hall (12-137), Blake Mason (8-110, 1 TD) and Austin Muntz (5-56).
Also out this week for Boyle is senior lineman Trey Yeager with a high ankle sprain.
“We’re nursing some kids right now, and we’re trying to get healthy,” French said. “Again, we’ve got young kids that have to step up and play well.”
But with the so-called second season beginning, French knows there are no excuses.
“I think the bottom line is, we’ve got to win if we want to do anything in the district race. We’ve got to get that first win, and Taylor presents problems,” French said. “We’ve got to execute our offense and defense and we’ve got to play well. We’re not going to be able to just show up and play and win the game. We’ve got too many injuries, and this time of year we have to come together and play as a unit.”
