This week on The Board Drill Podcast, we dive into the heart of the Flexbone offense with special guest Coach Jose Licon, OC at Hugeton High School in Kansas. Coach Licon brings an authentic, no-nonsense look at midline concepts out of the Flexbone, and how they’re applying it to attack defenses.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intros & How This Episode Came Together

01:20 – The Triple Option Cult & Kansas Football Culture

02:15 – Coach Licon’s Background: From Flexbone QB to OC

03:00 – Overview of Hugeton HS & Their Offensive Identity

04:10 – Why Midline? Simplifying Reads for the QB

06:30 – Split-Back Veer Influence vs. Modern Defenses

09:15 – Midline Variants: Midline Lead, Midline Read, Trap Option

12:50 – Handling 4i Techniques, Slants, and Squeeze Reads

17:10 – Film Breakdown: Key Midline Plays from 2023

22:40 – How They Use Motion to Window Dress the Same Concept

26:05 – Answering “Is Midline Dead?” in Spread Offenses

29:40 – Coaching Points: QB Footwork, Mesh Timing, and RB Path

35:00 – Installing Midline: Drills, Progressions & Scout Prep

40:20 – Q&A: Listener Questions from Twitter

📚 Related Read: Dive deeper with our companion article — Kansas State's Midline Twist on Outside Zone — where we break down how KSU married Midline with Spread principles to punish static defensive fronts.

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Coach Preston Troyer joins Kyle on this episode of the Board Drill Podcast to unpack what it really means to build a system on offense. The Tonganoxie HS head coach and author of Coaching Football Insight shares lessons from 17 years in the profession, including how to refine your scheme, evolve your identity, and stay grounded in player development.

Whether you're a new OC or a vet reworking your playbook, this one’s packed with wisdom.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Coach Troyer’s Journey
04:15 – Building a System: What It Really Means
15:30 – Self-Scouting & Adjusting Over Time
28:45 – Developing Your Coaching Voice
40:00 – Advice for Young Coaches

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In this episode of the Board Drill Podcast, we catch up with Cody Gardner, the Defensive Coordinator at Corner Canyon High School (UT), to dive deep into what it really takes to build and sustain a defensive identity at the high school level.

We talk foundational philosophy, how to reset your structure when needed, and how Cody blends system, player personality, and coaching staff dynamics into a cohesive, flexible defense. Whether you're starting from scratch or evolving your current approach, this episode is a blueprint for aligning scheme, culture, and staff into one united vision.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

01:42 – Gardner’s program vision and year-round player development

08:30 – The role of aggression in defensive identity

14:05 – Building from a 3-4 base with 4-2-5 variation

21:12 – Handling RPO-heavy offenses and adjusting structure

29:45 – Evaluating staff: empowering young coaches and accountability

36:20 – Non-negotiables in team culture

41:58 – Offseason planning and “install backwards” philosophy

48:35 – Advice for young head coaches

55:00 – Final thoughts and closing

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