Last season, the Boyd County Lions Finished the regular season with a 7-3 record and a district championship. Coming into this season, the Lions have a lot to be excited about.
“You hate to end any year on a loss, but it happens to every team except for one in each class,” said Boyd County head coach Evan Ferguson. “I am really proud of winning a district championshp. To lose to the eventual state champion in Boyle County was a great opportunity for our team to see the level we’re striving to be at and working toward going forward.”
With many returning players, the Lions are in prime position to flex their muscle this upcoming season.
KEY LOSSES: Trey Holbrook, Josh Thornton, Malachi Wheeler, Tyler Baier, Griffen Green, Jacob Meade and Cole Thompson.
KEY RETURNERS: Rhett Holbrook, Taryn Tackett, Cameron Collins, Dakota Thompson and Jack Hogston.
OFFENSE
Rhett Holbrook comes into the year as the starting quarterback. Last season, he passed for 1,577 yards 17 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also had 515 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. Holbrook is expected to become the school’s all-time passing leader early in the season.
At running back, Boyd County will use a committee approach. Dakota Thompson, Brody Castle and Hunter Hedrick should split most of the load. Cameron Collins will also get some carries as well as playing in the slot.
The wide receivers will feature Garrett Crum, Marcus Brumfield, Collins, Cayden Butler, Jason Ellis, Cole Hicks and Kaleb Kelley. All will see playing time and will be capable of making plays.
On the offensive line, Taryn Tackett, Marcus Lewis, Leland Huff, Gavin Miller, Brett Higginbotham, Erik Germann, Landon Felix, Nate Manning and Josh Holbrook will all battle and push each other during the season.
DEFENSE
The defensive line is anchored by one of the top pass rushers in the state in Jack Hogston. Manning also returns to help hold down the defensive line. Adrian Bertram, Matt Reedy, Lewis, Tackett, Huff, Miller, Higginbotham, Germann, Felix, Josh Holbrook will all battle for playing time.
At linebacker, Thompson will be back to lead the unit. He was described as the anchor of Boyd County’s defense. John Jackson, Germann and Felix will also see time at linebacker.
On the edge, the Lions will have Hedrick and Castle hold down the spot.
In the defensive backfield, Collins, Crum, Butler, Ellis, Hicks, Kelley, Rhett Holbrook and Jaden Harris will all be competing for spots.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Maverick Boyd comes from the Lion soccer program and should handle the place kicking duties. He’ll have big shoes to fill as he takes over for the departed Thompson who set many school records.
SCHEDULE
The Tigers have a very challenging schedule, featuring a lot of strong programs. But Ferguson hopes that his team will be battle tested by season’s end.
“Our schedule is tough,” said Ferguson. “We keep working to become one of the elite programs in the state. We want to play the best teams around and see where we are at and want to challenge ourselves to compete in the playoffs when it matters.”
8/18 – @South Point, OH
8/25 – Bell County
9/01 – East Carter
9/22 – @Johnson Central (District)
9/29 – Greenup County (District)
10/06 – Ashland (District)
10/13 – @Rowan County (District)
10/20 – @Lawrence County
10/27 – Pikeville
OUTLOOK
Boyd County brings a lot of returners back from last year’s strong team. The Lions play a difficult schedule that should prepare them for the playoffs. Look for a very tough and battle tested Boyd County team to improve and be difficult for anyone to beat in the playoffs.
