Malik Johnson wants to truck people in 2026.
The Boone County senior running back put up 1,188 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, becoming the program's first 1,000-yard rusher since Jordan Oppenheimer ran for 1,360 yards and 16 scores in 2010. Now he's adding power to his game.
"Definitely use my size and be more physical," Johnson told LINK nky. "Last year I was trying to make people miss, but I want to add more power this year. Stiff-arm people. Truck people."
Johnson is one of several returning starters who give the Rebels reason to believe 2026 can be more than a repeat of last season's 4-7 finish. Boone County ended a six-year playoff drought in 2025 but lost 54-7 to Woodford County in the first round. The program hasn't won a playoff game since 2011, when it reached the Class 6A state semifinals.
As we reported July 31, head coach Dan Court's goal for 2026 is earning a home postseason game. "We want to host playoff games," Court said in a July 31 NKyTribune preview. "That's the motivation amongst the players."
Court, who is 6-15 through two seasons, returns five starters on each side of the ball. The offense will flow through Johnson, whom Court plans to deploy in multiple ways beyond traditional handoffs.
On defense, senior linebacker Javier Diaz anchors the unit after recording 117 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in 2025. Diaz said he wants to fly around on defense, pursuing every tackle and boosting his teammates' energy. He will also see time at running back, giving the Rebels a two-way weapon.
Behind Diaz, safeties Jeremiah Sanchez and Liam Kolks combined for 122 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a forced fumble last season. Both were thrust into starting roles as underclassmen. Kolks started as a freshman. Court called that decision "kind of crazy" but said Kolks has been the guy since day one, praising both safeties for strong offseasons that he believes will make the defense much better. Senior defensive end Hunter Rose is the only returning starter on the defensive front.
The quarterback job remains unsettled. Seniors Micheal Chiasson, who threw for 1,389 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, and Asa LeGrand, who missed most of last season with a broken collarbone, are competing through preseason scrimmages. Junior wide receiver Amare Newberry (23 catches, 417 yards, four touchdowns) returns as the top pass-catcher.
Boone County opens the season August 21 at Holmes at 7 p.m. The first home game is September 4 against Newport Central Catholic. The Rebels play in Class 5A, District 6 alongside Conner, Cooper, Dixie Heights, and Scott, where the top two teams earn home playoff games.
