The NKyTribune is featuring each of the 21 high school football teams in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties leading up to the first games of the 2017 season on Aug. 18. We will then provide focused coverage of our local teams throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.
By Christopher Decker
NKyTribune contributor
Even though the Boone County Rebels finished with a 1-10 record last football season, head coach Marty Steele saw a team that was able to compete for victories.
Boone County linebacker John Mark Shutt, No. 36, closes in on a Ryle ball carrier last season. Shutt finished with a team-high 91 tackles in 11 games. (Photo from Ryle Raiders Football website)
“Last year’s team was still an upbeat group,” Steele said. “Except for maybe (losses to) Cooper and Simon Kenton, we were competitive in every game we played. It just seemed like we couldn’t get it done. The kids probably did feel at some point they were not going to get over the hump”
While not too many positives can be seen on the football field from a one-win season, Steele said the Rebels began playing the “Boone County way.”
“I think we started getting back into the Boone County mode of being a physical football team,” Steele said. “Previously, we got away from that.”
This season, Steele has tried to bring more competitiveness into the Rebel practices to build confidence and kindle a winning spirit.
“We’ve tried to win the moments — be better this rep than you were the last rep — and instill that (idea) of trying to win everything you do,” Steele said. “We are just trying to instill confidence and expectation to win. Many kids in the past have been content with just playing. We want them to desire and try to get to the point where they aren’t just good enough to play, but to be the best and be better than the guy that’s across from them on Friday nights.”
The Rebels will have junior linebacker John Mark Shutt anchoring the defense again this season. He recorded 91 tackles as a first-year starter during his sophomore season.
“John Mark is a throwback kid,” Steele said. “I’ve coached here off and on since 1986, he could have played for any of those teams. He loves to practice and he’s enthusiastic every day.”
Shutt believes his biggest strength is anticipating where a play is going and being in the right spot at the right time. It’s a concept Steele has watched Shutt get better at in his varsity career.
“The biggest thing is he is trying to become a student of the game,” Steele said. “He wants to know why he is going where he is going. He is trying to understand what the offense is trying to accomplish when he is on defense.”
While his coach expects him to be one of the best linebackers in Northern Kentucky, Shutt has set a goal of exceeding the number of tackles he made last year. “This season, I want to break the 100 tackle mark,” he said.
Steele will also be looking for contributions from junior safety Trevor Miller on the defensive side of the ball.
“Trevor Miller is a kid I would never dream would play for us, but all summer he’s been awesome,” Steele said. “He looks like he should play for a middle school team, but he is one tough kid.”
The Rebels will look to junior running back Janjte Wingo to ignite the Rebel offense while junior Tevin Merritt will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines.
“Tevin is a special boy,” Steele said. “He’ll play (college football) on Saturdays.”
BOONE COUNTY REBELS
2016 SEASON: 1-10 record, lost in first round of Class 6A playoffs.
DISTRICT: Class 6A, District 6 with Campbell County and Simon Kenton.
HEAD COACH: Marty Steele (1-21 in two seasons at Boone County).
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 – at Conner, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 – at Ryle, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 – at Holmes, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 – SOUTH OLDHAM, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 – at Dixie Heights, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 – at Clark County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6 – SIMON KENTON, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 – COOPER, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 – at Campbell County, 7 p.m..
Oct. 27 – HIGHLANDS, 7 p.m.
Other NKyTribune prep football previews:
DAYTON GREENDEVILS
COVINGTON CATHOLIC COLONELS
BISHOP BROSSART MUSTANGS
WALTON-VERONA BEARCATS
COOPER JAGUARS
SCOTT EAGLES
LUDLOW PANTHERS
HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS
LLOYD JUGGERNAUTS
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC THOROUGHBREDS
NEWPORT WILDCATS
