Carson Boyd ready to take on the mantle of Cardinal Ritter’s offense: no. 11

Boyd, now a senior for the Lions, shared offensive possessions with Antwon McKay and waited his turn while cheering McKay on from the sidelines.

“There wasn’t a time where I said I wanted to just be me, because he’s a great quarterback,” Boyd said. “I learned a lot, especially when I first got here my sophomore year. (McKay) was real and he was coachable. He wasn’t a jerk. Some guys are crazy when another guy comes in, but I really he accepted and helped teach me how to offend.”

The two-quarter system Cardinal Ritter has run the past two years has resulted in back-to-back undefeated state championship seasons.

But now McKay is on the roster at Western Illinois University, and this season will be the Boyd show at Cardinal Ritter.

“He’s built for it,” Cardinal Ritter coach Brennan Spain said. “You’re talking about a young man who’s been perfecting his craft since he was 5 or 6 years old and living for the moment.”

Boyd, recruit no. 11 in the Post-Dispatch’s Super 30 countdown of the area’s top college football prospects, has committed to the University of Illinois. He also held offers from Ball State, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Louisville, Missouri, Missouri State, Purdue, Texas A&M, UCF, UNLV and West Virginia.

Before leaving for Champaign, Boyd is ready to help guide Cardinal Ritter’s one-and-only attack.

Sharing photos with McKay over the past two years has reduced his numbers, but Boyd has no complaints.

“He understood the mission and the purpose,” Spain said. “He’s an ultimate team guy, but most importantly, he’s a competitor. I expect that from all my guys. Don’t count your reps; make your reps count.”

Over the past two years, Boyd has thrown for 3,734 yards on 207 completions with 57 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 1,138 yards with nine scores.

“I expect a lot this year, but at the same time I’m humble about it,” Boyd said. “Just take what the defense gives me.”

Having players like Dejerrian Miller and Jamarion Parker will undoubtedly help.

“It’s great to know that I can get the ball to the playmakers, and they can do what they do in space,” Boyd said.

Another thing that has helped sharpen Boyd’s skills is practicing against the likes of Vi’naz Cobb, Antonio Parker and Charles Brooks on the other side of the ball day in and day out.

And in turn, Boyd makes for a much better stellar defense in pursuit of an undefeated three-peat.

“Carson’s ball placement is good. He’ll stick it anywhere,” Parker said. “Yes, it’s annoying, but I feel comfortable knowing that we have the best. No one else can do what he does. If there is, well, I’ve seen it in action.”

Although Boyd is done splitting time as a starter, the teaching role that McKay has given Boyd is one that Boyd has learned well. This year, Boyd is helping backup Nigel Gooden prepare for his time in the sun.

“I coach (Gooden) daily,” Boyd said. “I see what he thinks about training. You see what he’s confused about. I just see everything he needs help with and being that leader and mentor he can lean on.”

As he mentors the next generation as he was a mentor, he looks to end the season the only way he knows how – with a state championship trophy.

“That’s the point,” Boyd said.