With the increased expectations surrounding the Demopolis High football program as it heads into its second year under head coach Tom Causey, perhaps no one player has received as much scrutiny as senior quarterback Rick Boone. As is the case with many teams, the triggerman of the offense is continually called upon to provide an answer when the unit under performs.

Boone has consistently done just that with a grace that surpasses his youth. However, during Friday night’s Jamboree event, Boone’s on-field performance and mastery of the offensive system reached a level it has scarcely seen.

The senior signal-caller appeared sharp throughout most of the evening, displaying good decision-making ability and delivering passes with a crisp accuracy.

Boone also displayed a keen sense for knowing when to pull the ball down and make plays with his feet.

In the Tigers’ opener against Wilcox Central, he went 4-for-7 through the air for 84 yards and a touchdown while also amassing 42 yards on the ground. The Demopolis QB then provided an encore performance against Linden, connecting on six of his seven pass attempts for 79 yards and a score. He also chewed up 31 yards on the ground.

That made the Tiger passer a combined 10-for-14 passing for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he totaled 73 rushing yards.

Causey credits the performance to Boone’s enhanced understanding of opposing coverages and an improved sense of where to throw the ball. Boone, on the other hand, credits his play to what he considers the best receiving corps in the state.

Boone also did an apt job of spreading the ball around, completing passes to five different Tiger players on the evening.

If Friday’s performance is indeed a sign of things to come, Demopolis fans can look forward to a balanced Tiger offense that will prove capable of keeping defenses honest as it burns its way through 5A and into the state playoffs.

— Jeremy D. Smith