Boyd County High School’s head football coach Evan Ferguson said his Lions have been moving in the right direction.
“We won a district championship two years ago. We've had two straight second-round playoff effects,” Ferguson said. “That's definitely a step in the right direction from where we've been. We want to kind of get past that hump.”
Ferguson told Eyewitness Sports while six impactful players have graduated, 16 veterans are returning to the Lions’ roster.
"We have a lot of guys returning. Wave some senior experience that we've been lacking the last few years,” Ferguson explained. I think these guys are hungry. They know they have a chance to keep going and we'll have to take it one game at a time.”
Boyd County finished 6-6 last season, and the goals are lofty. The Lions believe there are enough upperclassmen who are expected to contribute to make a difference.
“Our chemistry has been good. We all like each other and we all want to win and compete," senior wide receiver and defensive back Cole Hicks said. “Everybody has bought in. Every practice matters and every rep matters. We just get better every day."
With the O-line potentially being a strength, the offense is going to look a little different this year.
“I really like the offensive line,” Hicks added. “They've really worked hard this off-season, gotten bigger, gotten stronger and then the skill guys, they've gotten quicker.”
No one has more meaningful snaps than quarterback Rhett Holbrook.
"We have a four-year returning starting quarterback. He has every record in Boyd County history already,” Ferguson said. “You have a guy like that, a signal caller, it definitely helps.”
Holbrook said his teammates have contributed to his success in Boyd County over the past three seasons.
"The game becomes slower for me. It comes easier, but then just watching everybody else grow, that is really surprising,” Holbrook said. “It's really cool to watch everybody else grow too."
Holbrook will be protected by five returning lineman, a welcome change for the quarterback.
“We have depth now,” Holbrook said. That's always it's been a struggle here at Boyd County, but this year they've just done so much better. I think we have the best [offensive line] in the region this year.”
The roster’s depth will have a positive impact on the Lions’ offensive playbook.
"We've been pass heavy, spread the last several years,” coach Ferguson said. “Whenever we're getting back to being more balanced, it definitely seems like some of those guys are wanting to make sure they get their opportunities. It's my turn to catch that ball. If their favorite plays get called, they always want to jump in there and get it."
Boyd County begins the 2024 campaign by hosting South Point on Friday, Aug. 23.