Friday, August 25, 2000
Boone Co. full of experience
No. 3 Rebels have 17 starters back
By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor
The presence of a roster laden with seniors and a lineup featuring 17 returning starters has raised expectations for Boone County to a level not seen in at least three years.
But for third-year coach Rick Thompson, it's simply a case of getting back to what used to be business as usual.
“What we haven't had — and what we used to have all the time — is a lot of seniors,” Thompson said. “For the past couple of years, we've not had but one or two kids. We haven't had to go through something like that at Boone County in a long time.
“We've placed a lot of pressure on ourselves anyway. We're used to winning, and what we have this year is a little relief for some of them that got through the last two years.”
The Rebels, who finished 5-6 last season and lost to Louisville Fern Creek 12-0 in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs, are ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer's preseason coaches poll.
Much of that respect is based on Boone County's deep core of experienced players, led by senior quarterback/cornerback Robbie Flick and his classmate, tailback Timmy King. Flick is a third-year starter at QB, and King gained 1,697 yards and scored 21 touchdowns in just 7 1/2 games last season.
Also back are senior inside linebacker Josh McFarland, who compiled 108 tackles last season, and junior outside linebacker David Gilliland, who had 110. They are two of 10 returning starters on defense.
Thompson figures Flick's experience will help Boone be more effective in the passing game. He may have to wait a bit to see the attack at full strength, since senior wide receiver Andy McGill is still getting over a dislocated shoulder and is unlikely to be ready for tonight's opener against Covington Catholic. McGill also might miss next Friday's game against Hamilton (Ohio) Badin.
“He'll definitely be ready for La Salle (September 8),” Thompson said.
The rest of the Rebels are ready to prove themselves now, Thompson said. They gave a hint of their potential with a spirited performance in a 41-28 loss to Class AAAA state finalist Lexington Bryan Station last season.
“We played right with them for 3 1/2 quarters,” Thompson recalled. “We put up 28 points on them, but then we let things get away in the fourth quarter. That game made the kids realize where we want to be. I think they're ready to get back to being Boone County.”
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