Written by: Lucas Gebhart
This summer feels much different at Borah High.
With a veteran-focused group and a second-year head coach in JQ Kenyon, Borah is a school that’s hoping to elevate itself from the .500 ball it’s recently been playing.
Some in the conference are starting to take notice as other coaches around the SIC have pointed to the Lions as a team to watch this year.
"I think JQ has done a great job building on what Borah has prided themselves on in recent years,” said Timberline coach Ian Smart. “They are confident and aggressive. They will be a fun team to watch."
“We have a core nucleus of players that have taken ownership of the team and are leading by example,” Kenyon said. “They have been working all offseason with a chip on their shoulders like they have something to prove.”
It begins and end with consistency for Kenyon. Too often last year, the Lions lost the turnover battle, and it cost them just about every time.
Borah lost five games and six turnovers battles last year. But when they took care of the ball, the Lions went 4-0. When they didn’t, the record was 1-5.
“We must value the football,” Kenyon explained.
It will only help that Borah returns one of the conference’s best running backs.
Parker Rushton is back for his senior year, and Borah returns two of its best on the offensive linemen in Jovari Beasley and Trevor McKenna.
Quarterback Korbin McCarney also returns for his senior year but won’t have as many weapons to throw the ball to. His head coach isn’t worried.
“Korbin McCarney has showed enormous growth from last season and will be able to manage the game,” Kenyon said.
Bradley Toth, one of the SIC’s best receivers is now gone, but Borah is returning seniors Jacob Haley and Trace Freeman to the receiving core.
Kenyon also expects an explosive Jevon Nelson to be a critical part of the offense. The junior has played most of his career as a running back but could see time at receiver this year.
“If teams stack the box, we will have viable weapons,” Kenyon said.
One area that needs improvement is the defense. The Lions defense gave up 30 or more points five times last year. The Lions lost four of those games. But this year, the defense will have a new look.
“We have an abundance of linebackers and are switching to an odd front this year,” Kenyon explained. “Henry Hill will lead the charge.”
The back half of the secondary will have lots of new faces, but one familiar name is Trace Freeman, who returns to his hybrid linebacker and defensive back roll.
“He will lead the back 6 with a lot of new faces playing in the secondary,” Kenyon said.