One year can make quite a difference.
Batavia coach Dennis Piron and offensive coordinator Sean Anderson thought they might have something special last August when sophomore Ryan Boe won the starter’s role at quarterback.
This year?
They say they know it.
Even so, “it is surprising he may still be under the radar a bit,” Piron said. “Boe is special and looks to explode this fall.”
Credit Boe’s strong first year.
Add a “mornings with Sean” offseason throwing regimen under Anderson’s tutelage that has helped improve his mechanics, and Boe’s continued devotion to his other sport, baseball, where he pitches and plays multiple positions.
“He was still a little unknown but kind of took over last year and exceeded all expectations,” Anderson said. “The thing is, he’s head and shoulders above that this year.
“A lot of people, I would say, are not going to be surprised but definitely impressed.”
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Boe completed 66% of his passes for 1,481 yards and 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions in 2021, leading the Bulldogs (10-1) to the DuKane Conference title and a top seed in the Class 7A playoffs.
“I would definitely say my arm strength has gone up,” Boe said. “And last season I didn’t throw as good a spiral. Over the offseason, I fixed that.”
A couple tweaks to the way he grips the ball have improved its flight.
“It cuts through the air better,” Boe said. “Can go farther and faster and doesn’t wobble as much.”
Anderson likes the strides his quarterback has made.
“I feel very, very confident he can make every throw on the field,” Anderson said.
Boe also has a better grasp of he offense.
“It’s advanced stuff,” said Anderson, who is giving Boe more leeway to adjust or change calls when he gets to the line of scrimmage.
Across the board, according to Anderson, Batavia’s coaches are in agreement that athletes are served well by participating in multiple sports.
There are 210 boys involved in the football program at all levels and 80 last spring were involved with track, which won the program’s first Class 3A state title.
Going back and forth between baseball and football can be a challenge, Anderson pointed out, because Boe’s pitching motion is more of a long throw compared to the more compact delivery that’s ideal for a quarterback.
“We have plenty of time to get you in football mode for the high school season, though,” Anderson said.
Boe competed in baseball tournaments every weekend through the end of July this summer and also attended football camps in the spring and summer at North Central College, Wisconsin and Iowa State.
He has no scholarship offers at this point, but Piron believes they’re on the way.
Senior linebackers Tyler Jansey and Jack Sadowsky have committed to offers from Power Five schools Wisconsin and Iowa State, respectively.
“Those two bringing coaches into the school to see them has helped the rest of us, too,” said Boe, who hopes to play both sports as long as he can.
His attention now, however, is on football.
The Bulldogs dropped a controversial 16-14 decision in the second round of the playoffs last season at Mount Carmel that came down to an untimed play following a disputed defensive penalty.
It became motivation for the whole team.
“The work ethic was amazing, everybody putting in the work,” Boe said. “We hold each other accountable and just want to go out and win. We’re competing every day in practice.”
Jansey and Sadowsky, meanwhile, also set a strong example.
And there’s more.
“We get such great support from the community,” Boe said. “I remember going to games and dreaming about playing on that field and always looked up to the players who went on to college.
“I’d like to hope I’m inspiring younger kids. That’s a goal.”
It’s his time.
Team: Batavia.
2021 record: 10-1.
Offensive leaders: Drew Gerke, senior, wide receiver; Ryan Whitwell, senior, running back; Jimmy Zitkus, senior, offensive line.
Defensive leaders: Tyler Jansey, senior, linebacker; Brody Osborne, senior, linebacker; Jack Sadowsky, senior, linebacker.
X-factor: Brady Ninowski, senior, wide receiver/tight end.