Latest / Porch Talk / The Uncle J-Mar Show - Episode #2

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The Uncle J-Mar Show - Episode #2 · Porch Talk

• Porch Talk: Hey, what's up everybody? This is Uncle J Mar. Welcome back to the Uncle J Mar show. The last guest was Cameron was our first official guest on on the new show. I guess this is actually the first official guest because Cameron was kinda with me with Ports Talk. But I'm gonna welcome Lucas Boyd to the Uncle J Mar show. What's up, Lucas? Lucas Boyd: How's it going, Jaymar? Thanks for having me. Porch Talk: No problem, buddy. No problem. We were just talking a little Colts football. We got that out of the way because I don't think people want to hear us whining about our NFL teams, but just to touch on it real quick, if you're a Colts fan, it's been a weird day. you can kinda go on what you were telling me, but what was your thoughts just real quick once I thought Lucas Boyd: the fire sale, I get it. you fire Chris Ballard, so and the season what two wins, four losses, no two and four. So I mean I I expected some big trades. DeForest Buckner to the Niners, I I'm fine I guess with, but Quentin Nelson I getting a third and a fifth out of a Hoffman guard who's still elite makes me scratch my head, but you know, I'm not I'm not the general manager so I can't speak, but it hurts. Porch Talk: Yeah. I think we're on the same page. It was a it's a little more of an emotional loss with Quentin Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Porch Talk: Nelson. I love Buck, but I mean he's not been there, you know, a few years now. And as good as he was, isn't you know, he didn't start Nindy, so it's not as not as tugging on the heartstrings as much as Quentin Nelson was. And now I got a jersey in the closet that I have nothing to I'm not gonna be able to do anything with. I actually put Taylor's jersey on Sunday because I told my wife that Maybe the last time I get to wear it while watching him as a cult, if I'd have known this was gonna happen I would have put Q's jersey on. Lucas Boyd: Yeah. It's unfortunate. Hopefully they both don't go, but it's it's not looking good. Porch Talk: Yeah. That's yeah, I feel like anybody's up up for it right now. Hopefully though, if they Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Yeah, I agree. Porch Talk: get rid of anybody else, they'll get a little more compensation for it than what they've gotten Lucas Boyd: Hopefully. Porch Talk: so far. But let's jump into a little bit of your past growing up. I guess you grew up right up the road for me. I g I'm assuming you've you know it was there when you were little, went to Twin Valley, I guess up until what year was it? Lucas Boyd: Up until freshman year. I transferred to Grandy freshman year, yeah. Porch Talk: Okay, yeah. So we'll just kind of jump go with both Twin Valley and Grundy, but what talk about what it was like growing up here, small town, playing, you know, sports coming up and then what that transition to Grundy was like. I mean, it's not really a big jump, it's you know, right down the road, but just from your personal experience, trains in schools, stuff like that, how it how it went for you. Lucas Boyd: Yeah, I grew up on Garden Creek. So went to Twin Valley through eighth grade and it was I really enjoyed it and playing football through little league. It was I I played my brother Isaiah, all through school. And then my dad was either the head coach or helping coach on basically all the teams I played for. So it's always really nice like having my dad the coach and playing alongside Isaiah. And I'm not I'm not the football player that Isaiah is or was, but I really enjoyed it and that inspired me to, love sports as much as I do, especially football. so yeah, that shaped my interest basically. And then moving to Grundy, it I was really fortunate. transferred freshman year and as soon as I I transferred it was like it just clicked. I had friends immediately and they welcomed me with open arms and it almost it was perfect. football team enjoyed it. coaches were amazing, so open. The players brought me in, friends with Porch Talk: And Lucas Boyd: all of So it's it was really a great time and I I ca I'm very blessed and fortunate to have the childhood I had. Porch Talk: Yeah, speaking of Isaiah, he's having a good year. Seems like you be a wise right Getting a lot of playing time and making an impact. But you shouldn't say yourself short. I remember watching you play. You were a very good lineman. And Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Porch Talk: as far you linemen don't get the credit y'all deserve, first of all. You know what I mean? Y'all don't Lucas Boyd: That's true. Porch Talk: get your name in the paper. But but as far as Isaiah goes, that that would be he's a good football good good player. very good Lucas Boyd: No good. This is senior year, so he's he I'm really proud of him. He's did a good job. Porch Talk: yeah. Yeah, for sure, man. I w I keep wanting to go watch and you just kinda forget throughout the week about UV wise playing. But I'm willing to try my best to get to get out there for a game. but I've talked about it for three years now. So hopefully this year I maybe I'll actually get out there. But Lucas Boyd: You have to get out, it's a good time, it's it's it's fun time, it really is. Porch Talk: Yeah. Yeah, I've been I don't know why I don't go. It's that close, it's not because it's a long drive, so but we'll I'll definitely try to do that. but talking about s playing sports coming up, we may talked about it a little bit before we got on here, through messages, but you had a real real scare medically. I'm not sure what age you were when that happened, but I remember it happening. what was that like? Not kinda Just that whole process and was there ever in a a doubt of not knowing whether you'd get to play anymore or not? 'Cause I can't remember exactly what it was, but I'll let I'll let you explain it and kinda talk about it. Lucas Boyd: yeah, absolutely. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma when I was fourteen and it got to the point where my legs had almost just gave out. and I c I was having trouble walking. I was in a wheelchair for a while and then I eventually got my strength back enough to walk without a walker or any assistance. And yeah, like like you said, it was it w I really didn't think I would ever play sports again. And freshman year I was very blessed. I'd Porch Talk: I Lucas Boyd: I've been so blessed throughout my life and the Lord gave me the strength to come back and I I played football my freshman year. very fortunate for that. But yeah, it w it was real it was a real scare and my doctors put the put it out there that I may not be able to play sports anymore and I've I've been very blessed and I've been fortunate so Porch Talk: remember. when all this is going on and I heard you were going to be able to play, how like I was so happy for you. 'Cause Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: just the from what you go over you hear things, you it's not like we talk every day or, I talk to your dad every day Lucas Boyd: In death. Porch Talk: or nothing, but you, you he you'll hear this and then you'll go a while without really talking to anybody or seeing anybody. And I remember it was, really, really scary and really bad. And then kinda the next thing I knew was like, That sucks. He he won't get to play on he a how do you after you were out of the woods Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Porch Talk: Health wise, you you you're gonna that's the most important thing, obviously. But then football, I was like, I know it means a lot to him. And then I heard, well, he's he's playing. And I was like, Well, is he gonna get to actually play though? You know what I mean? Like is it just one of Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: those things he's on you know, didn't know the exact thing, but when I found out you were actually good to go, I thought that's fantastic 'cause you know, it's it's one of those things you do something your whole life and that's what you look forward to doing when when you get older. as little as it means in long run as far as your health, it's still a big deal not getting to if you h wouldn't have gotten to play. Yeah, Lucas Boyd: No, absolutely. Porch Talk: and I just remember being being really typical to Deathman about that and how happy we w we were for you that you got to play. and then turns out you run end up being on a pretty daggone good team. I guess it was what you do with So yeah, I mean great Lucas Boyd: That was my sophomore year. Yeah. Porch Talk: team I remember we w went and watched y'all play that year and I th Y'all y'all were really good that year. Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: talk about that year, what that was like going on that you know, that little bit of a run y'all went on and it's kinda up and up and downs of the season. Lucas Boyd: that was really a great experience. especially for me personally, being that was Isaiah's senior year and getting to experience that season with him and play a season with him was was really special to me 'cause like you said, I d I didn't know if I was ever gonna be able to play again. And it it it always been like I wouldn't say a dream, but sort of a dream, a goal to play high school football with Isaiah. so being able to do that and not only play a season with him, but have that much success. It it was really special. And that team was special. Isaiah Ian, that Porch Talk: That came up. Lucas Boyd: offensive line, Logan, it it was a really, really special team and a highlighted my high school, for sure. It was it was awesome. Win in the region. It was it was so special. Porch Talk: Yeah, y you are a lot of fun to watch, that year for sure. just the offense in general, defense is good too, but offensively y'all were just y'all putting Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. yeah. Porch Talk: up a lot of points, a lot of numbers, running the ball. I I that might have been I don't know if it was Ports Talk's first year or second year, but I remember me and Cameron were went went to several games and covered y'all quite a bit on on Ports Talk that year. So I I guess after that, I guess, y you graduate a class like that and then you got the consolidation talk coming up around that time. I'm sure it's already started, I'm sure. When did you find I guess do you remember finding out that you're gonna I'm assuming you were the last class at Grundy? Lucas Boyd: I was the second to last. The class Porch Talk: Second last. Lucas Boyd: after me was the last, yeah. Porch Talk: Okay. from that hearing about that, w at that point were you like, Man, I wish this was earlier and I could have experienced that, or were you glad to finish at Grundy? Lucas Boyd: It's a double edged sword. I I'm I'm proud to have graduated from Grundy. But at the same time, the opportunity that is up on the gap. It would have been amazing to be able to enroll and go there. But I th I think it was needed and then I've had like all four years of my high school and even probably in middle school, there was always consolidation talk. and it just it kinda came a long time for it to actually come to fruition. But yeah, I mean it's I I'm gl I'm glad to have graduated from Grundy but it would have been pretty awesome to go up there. the school's beautiful. I haven't been up there yet, but my sister she teaches up there and she loves it. And from everybody I've talked to who's been, Porch Talk: Okay. Lucas Boyd: it's it's amazing and I I've heard everybody loves it for the most part, so Porch Talk: Yeah, I've not been inside yet, but obviously I've been to the football field. it'd be really cool to play there. just it'd be the that Lucas Boyd: yeah, absolutely. Fields beautiful. Porch Talk: just the way they did that and the atmosphere there for those games so far and w just the the way it set up and the views, it would be it'd be a lot of fun. I remember Lucas Boyd: Absolutely. Porch Talk: consolidated with Whitewood and Garden. I was in the eighth grade the first year of Twin Valley. I remember thinking how terrible it was that I wasn't gonna be able to graduate from garden. But Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: really it was just because your family, done that, so that's what you wanted to do. But it didn't take me very long to be like, Okay, this is this is cool, we can kinda start a new Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: thing. looking back now though, I c it it kinda sucks that now that Twin Valley's not even a a thing anymore, it would have been nice to have just probably been a little older and graduated from Garden. If Twin Valley was still around it I'd be I'd be fine with it. But now it's like we just kinda spent twenty years existing and now it's not even saying. I know it's not e yeah, you know, you can't you can't help Lucas Boyd: No, it's nothing, yeah. Yeah, I get what you mean. Porch Talk: Yeah, but but I always thought that consolidation stuff, people I mean, you're never gonna you're never gonna make anybody really happy all the way around. But like you said, it was kind of inevit inevitable. Like at some point you had to do it. You had Dickinson County already done it. Scott County'd already done not Scott County, but Wise County already done it. And I f I feel like the only reason McCann County maybe hadn't done it yet is because of logistics and the travel over the mountains probably is the only reason. But yeah, I think your thought I mean you don't know how much you keep up with 'cause you're at Blacksburg right now, obviously up tech, so I'm not sure how much you're keeping up with local around here high school sports but Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: what are your thoughts on the f first year for Southern Gap, what they've been able to accomplish in this first year? Have I guess they've have they exceeded your expectations or was did you really have any really going in? Lucas Boyd: I didn't I can't say I really had any expectations, but I've been impressed. haven't got to watch any games of course, but I've been following semi close on Facebook and by the everything I've seen, they've been Porch Talk: I call something about that. Lucas Boyd: lots out and looked really good. Carson Blunkenship, I think, the just rushed for a thousand yards last game. And he's he's I think he's a freshman too, and he he's a stud. So yeah, I think they've got some young guys and the seniors too. I I played with a few of them so Yeah, they're they've got Porch Talk: Okay. Lucas Boyd: they've got some really talented players and I've been surprised and I'm glad they're doing well. Porch Talk: Yeah. I am too. I w I I didn't really know what to expect either. 'Cause you know, you have growing pains when you anytime you bring schools together like that. I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't know how good some of the teams on their schedule were gonna be, so it's hard to predict and you really don't know a lot about those teams some teams. I I said I but I do remember thinking from the start if they could go five hundred, I think that'd be a success just because of Lucas Boyd: yeah. Porch Talk: you know, coming you it's not like you were bringing three teams together that had won seven and eight games respectively apiece. All three of those programs were struggling. So bringing them together and them going over five hundred I thought was a a success from the beginning. Lucas Boyd: Really impressive. Porch Talk: Yeah, in the first year. So I I am I'm I'm very happy with how they've and they've gotten better is what I love about it. They've gotten better every week, Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: it seems like anyway. They're you know, they're cleaning penalties up or not turning it over as much. they got a tough two week stretch here. If they can get get them, I think Yeah, since Lucas Boyd: It's East Side this week and who is it? Porch Talk: next week, yeah. Yeah. Tough Lucas Boyd: Yeah, that's a t that's a tough two week stretch, but Porch Talk: two weeks, especially on both on the road back to back. especially Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: Eastside. They're their defense is just so good. Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: I think Southern Gap matches up with them well, like physicality wise and stuff. I don't think East Side's just gonna manhandle and, over f be more physical than them necessarily. I just I I gotta East I'd defense is just they're just tough. They d they don't give up a lot of big plays. that'll be a tough one. Central will be a good one too. It depends on which central team you get, I think, 'cause they've looked really, really good and then they've been in games where you probably thought they should be a little better. Lucas Boyd: Hot and cold. Porch Talk: yeah. So it'd be an interesting two weeks. Keeping up and watching, Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: I guess as far as rental region goes, I mean it's kind of the same old thing with Graham really right now, in two A. Yeah. We have a dark Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Powerhouses, they're just they're just dominant. It's impr it's an impressive run. Porch Talk: force pick coming out of two A out of the ri two A. Lucas Boyd: I I'll say it. I Ridgeview I think it I think Ridgeview has a chance to shock some people, but you know, you've got Union too, so it's there's it's tough when Graham's in the in the region, but I'd like to see some upsets here and there. Porch Talk: It'd be a little f it'd be fun for the the the people that don't aren't aren't really connected and it'd be fun for just casual viewers to see a lot of chaos. Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Porch Talk: Kinda like the college football season this year. It's just chaotic. Lucas Boyd: it's been crazy. Porch Talk: Yeah. I th I think Gate City has a really good chance to Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: make it to the region championship kind of come under radar. I don't I I don't think anybody can beat Graham if Graham's healthy and playing well. I think they're just too well rounded and too Lucas Boyd: I agree. Yeah. Porch Talk: good, but That's why you played a game, the union played right with them, but they're injury ridden right now. if I had to pick one, I like reads of you, I like that pick. I I think I I think Gate City might be a little a little better, but you just never know. But I guess in one a you got Chill Howley's kinda like the Graham of one A this season. I they're they're juggernaut right now. that that Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Basically. yeah. Porch Talk: win over Ry Cove at Ry Cove by that margin was very impressive. That Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: I I'm not surprised they won, but it did surprise me how how bad they won. Lucas Boyd: Yeah, I agree with you. They're they've been impressive this year, definitely. Porch Talk: Yeah. But Eastside too, man, I'm I'm telling you that that Eastside defense is yeah, Lucas Boyd: It's a good football team too, yeah. Porch Talk: they're they don't yeah. They're they're kinda under radar too with the start they got off off to, but so so you graduate in twenty twenty five. Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: were you all you start off at tech year one? Did you go to Southwest? Lucas Boyd: I did. I I had did quite a bit of college classes while in high school through Southwest. So I came here with quite a bit of credits. But yeah, Porch Talk: That's hard to do. Lucas Boyd: this is my second year Virginia Tech. Porch Talk: this kinda always what you wanted to do? was go to tech, or was that kind of something that just happened? Lucas Boyd: Basically, you know, I'd always thought UVA wise a little bit just because Isaiah goes there. I mean it's a good school. But kinda like my senior year it was like Virginia Tech, the opportunity here is unreal so and it was hard to pass up on, so Porch Talk: Yeah. Now were you a tech fan? That helps Lucas Boyd: I was. Always been a tech fan, yes. Porch Talk: a lot too, yeah. so going into that, you know, your freshman year, did you already know? Well, first let me ask you this, what are your majoring in? I I have you down it says student journalists is what you're doing, kinda I know, you know, you post stuff and your dad'll post stuff. Is that technically your major also, or is that just something that you're doing? Lucas Boyd: So my major is sports media and analytics, Porch Talk: I like a stuff maybe. Okay. Lucas Boyd: which is essentially all things sports media, which is is an umbrella of things. It consists of play by play commentary, sports writing, which is what I'm doing, and behind the camera work, in front of the camera work. So basically all sports media and I'm just going towards the journalism Porch Talk: Which one Lucas Boyd: aspect. Porch Talk: Okay. Is this something you knew you wanna do growing up? Was this was it kinda d developed later in once you got Lucas Boyd: Not really. It's it's actually funny because basically all through middle school and probably the first two or three years of high school I wanted to be an attorney. Porch Talk: Okay. Lucas Boyd: so it it flip flopped big time. And I think my junior and senior year I think I helped Chad Cooper at the Mountaineer, the newspaper, a little bit, just taking pictures and and I really enjoyed reading his work, the his sports work in the paper. And Porch Talk: On some. Lucas Boyd: and I started to realize that's maybe something I would like to do, write a write a story on the game or just interview the players or the coaches afterwards. That seemed really interesting to me. So then I f then I found a sports media program at Virginia Tech and it was almost perfect. Porch Talk: Yeah. Yeah, that's that's great that you found that something like that. I I I always w like my kinda once I got older and I realized a little bit more of the how I wanted to wanted the coach part, I was like I guess I'll teach. So that's kinda what the plan was. But I never really w was crazy about being a teacher. I just wanted to coach. But when I was younger, growing up and always in the back of my head, I w when reading Lloyd in the paper with Thomas, that's what I wanted to do. I wanted I kinda wanted to do what you're doing. in a I just never really looked at it as like a career. internet and all this social media stuff I th wasn't like it is now. I think if it would have been, maybe I would have been more maybe after try. but I just never really seen it as something that I would, you know, pursue after. I just kinda liked the idea of it. And I think that's why I've enjoyed doing porch talk so much over the last couple of years, is that's what I you know, that's kind of what I was wanting to do. and the writing part of it, like you said, I I was always interested in that. 'Cause I grew up watching ESPN with like around the around the horn and was it PTI and all these guys and I love that. I wanna I want to do stuff like that. But so I think it's really cool, man, that you're you kn you found that and now you're in in in it. what are kind of some some goals I guess that were not goals but plans if you have any yet that kinda once you graduate, what's anything you know of yet that you're gonna try to pursue or just kinda just take it as it comes and opportunities? Lucas Boyd: Kinda both. but my dream is riding for a professional baseball team, ideally, or just a professional sports team. That's that's the dream. But I'm just kind of taking it how it comes and I'm trying to get every opportunity I can while I'm still in school and hopefully those opportunities will lead me where I want to be. But the the ideal goal, I'm a Baltimore Orioles fan, so I'd love to be a a rider for them. That's the dream. Porch Talk: Okay. Gotcha. so let's talk some of your experiences I've you you know you've had so far. you've had some done some really cool stuff. any sports fan would be j would be jealous of. Lucas Boyd: yeah. Porch Talk: you told me you you've done softball, baseball, football, men and women's basketball, you've covered kind of covered all of What are some what are just some cool experiences that, you know, people would wanna hear about that you've got to do or got to experience or people you've met. I'm sure it's I'm sure it's a long list, but does something Lucas Boyd: yeah. Porch Talk: stick out to you is Lucas Boyd: Well, this Saturday, this past Saturday, I was Porch Talk: more time for some. Lucas Boyd: I went to Clemson and covered the game there in the press box. And it was a funny story 'cause we were in the we were just s sitting in the press box. I was talking to one of my friends and Brock Oswaller, he played at Bama and he was an NFL quarterback for the Broncos. He wa he was calling the game on ESPN I'm pretty sure. Porch Talk: Yeah. Lucas Boyd: And I saw him and I talked to him for a few minutes and I was it was it how don't expect me starstruck. I was talking to a a former NFL quarterback and and Porch Talk: Yeah. Super Bowl chapter. Lucas Boyd: yeah. Porch Talk: Yeah. Lucas Boyd: And then the I mean the game was incredible. the atmosphere at Death Valley is unmatchable. I mean, Porch Talk: Yeah. Lucas Boyd: if anything's close to Lane Stadium, especially in the ACC, it was electric, it was a really good time. And then the week before that I was in Lane, the Porch Talk: Yeah, yeah. Lucas Boyd: press box cover in the Georgia Tech game. So I mean I've had really good experiences. I've interviewed James Franklin, Ethan Gronkemeyer, Luke Reynolds, got to talk to a few basketball players. The ba the baseball team, I got to know them pretty well. I covered about every game during the season last season and I'm gonna do that again this year. So I've really enjoyed it. I've got to meet some very cool people and it's been very awesome and I've been very blessed. Porch Talk: Yeah, man. That just all that sounds like if you're if you love sports and that's you would that all sounds fantastic like that it'd be like a dream. Like you said, it kinda is. I mean what you're Lucas Boyd: Basically. Porch Talk: Yeah, it's let's talk the Clemson game a little bit, tech. I feel like I feel like they kinda I don't think they needed it necessarily 'cause I think the the first year with Franklin, I think they're already obviously going in the right direction. But I think that's Lucas Boyd: I agree. Porch Talk: kinda like a I think that's like a boost in the you know direct like you know, you hit the almost Lucas Boyd: yeah. Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: like you hit the NOS button. They needed a win like that. I know it's not clampsing from four or five, six years ago, but it's still clampsing in Death Valley. That's still a good win. Like that's a very, Lucas Boyd: a hundred percent, yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: very good win. just what what do you th I mean, as far as just did you expect them kind of I guess your expectations going into that game, what were you thinking there realistically the chances were for them to pull that one off? Lucas Boyd: I went in about fifty fifty because Clemson's offense have struggled this year. I mean they have a freshman at quarterback. I think he's thrown two touchdowns this season, which I think's the lowest from a quarterback in FBS football right now. So I I expected it to mostly be a defensive game, which Porch Talk: And so it's like then. Lucas Boyd: it was, and Tech got the job done when they needed to. but yeah, getting a win in Death Valley, like you said, it's not the same Clemson. But Virginia Tech had not beaten Dabo Sweeney in his entire touching career and that's the Porch Talk: Yeah. Lucas Boyd: first win in Death Valley since two thousand seven. That's the year I was born. So it it's it's crazy and Porch Talk: Yeah, that's it's crazy, but Lucas Boyd: year one James Franklin, I think it's going definitely in the right direction, and I think that win, like you said, just kind of boost the team even further. Porch Talk: Yeah. I was like you, I I thought I I wouldn't be surprised a bit if they if they won. But Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: it seems like everything that could go wrong in some of these close games for them has went wrong. So I was like, Lucas Boyd: Yeah. yeah. Porch Talk: how hard is this gonna be to get get that one? And then once once it was, you know, I f realised they were once I realized that was gonna happen, I was just like, I can't believe it's finally everything come together here and they actually were able to 'cause it's you know, as a tech fan, they've they've they've had some hard Some tough losses, just over Lucas Boyd: yeah. Porch Talk: a little bit and from them to actually go get that one. I that's just a big deal, I think, for for them Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: moving forward. the tight end he's Lucas Boyd: Luke Reynolds. Porch Talk: yeah, he he's a real he reminds me of the Colts tied in they got now, the from Penn State. Lucas Boyd: I warn you. Porch Talk: He reminds me a lot of him. maybe even l slightly, maybe a little more athletic and than Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: Warren was in college. but he's he's fantastic. I mean they have playmakers everywhere. Lucas Boyd: yeah. Porch Talk: what we what did you make any prediction that's beginning of the year wins, losses over what Lucas Boyd: I had eight and four on my final prediction and that looks like it's six and two right now and you have SMU, Miami, Stanford, and UVA left on the schedule. I think there's two wins there. so my prediction may I was higher on the team coming into the year than most were. A lot were around seven and five, but I thought they could steal a win and they just stole the win there at Clemson. So and and I Porch Talk: No. And every last two they sh for sure should have won already. Lucas Boyd: I I agree with you and I think you flip a two or three plays here and there against Pitt and Cal, and I think I think the team's eight and no. just missed field goals, penalties and have really hurt in Porch Talk: Yeah, for sure. Lucas Boyd: their losses. But you know, that's the that's the thing. It's growing pains, Jeremy Franklin, year one. I think the team will build on that and get better. They've already gotten their penalties down. So the team's moving in the right direction, definitely. Porch Talk: Yeah. well th Franklin, just the instant impact of players that signed from like within the first month or whatever two to it was Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. yeah. Porch Talk: that once he got there, you could already tell things were headed in a good direction 'cause from the play the people that signed. you obviously got to talk to him, interview him as he is nice of a guy as what he comes across says in his interviews. Lucas Boyd: yeah, great guy. he's he's a stand-up guy. He's he's very nice. He he cares a lot about his players and the coaching staff. He he is he has an emphas emphasis on his players and they all love him. He loves them. He has a very good relationship with the team. He's very nice to media. I have nothing to r but respect for him. and he's just been a great addition. I mean he's a a great person, an even better coach is the best way I would describe Porch Talk: Yeah, he's he Lucas Boyd: it. Porch Talk: he seems like such a cool dude, he seems really genuine too that you know what I Like Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: it's all that. It feel it feels real genuine when you see it on T V, you know, but Have you got to meet Bud Foster? Lucas Boyd: I have not, unfortunately not. That's on the top of the list. Porch Talk: That that would be my one of my buckest ones that I'd like to do that. That'd be cool. if you ever do Lucas Boyd: That's on the top of the list. Porch Talk: message me and let me know how it goes. Lucas Boyd: I will. I will. Porch Talk: are you gonna get to go to Miami? Lucas Boyd: I am not a guy I work with in the publication. I I write for Virginia Tech on SI, which is a company side company of Sports Illustrated, and my editor, he's actually traveling, so unfortunately not. That'd be pretty awesome. It'd Porch Talk: Yeah. Lucas Boyd: be a cool trip. Porch Talk: That especially if they were able to pull that off. That man, Lucas Boyd: Yeah. That'd be awesome, yeah. Porch Talk: that'd be a ma yeah, I mean, especially they're number one now. It makes it even better. Lucas Boyd: That would be awesome. Porch Talk: I hate Miami. so that'd be one of my like we were joking at work the other day if I had to pick for for tech to only win one more game for the rest of the year, would I pick pick Miami or Virginia? And because Miami is number one, I almost would go with Miami. I just can't Lucas Boyd: It's close. Porch Talk: I just can't look I can't pick not beating Virginia even though the number one win beating them would be more important I feel like. But hopefully both of That'd be great. Lucas Boyd: That's the hope. That's the goal. Porch Talk: yeah. So I guess this spring or no winter I guess, but what's the outlook for basketball and men and women? Is it kinda are they gonna be Is it a rebuild? I'm not really keeping up a lot with the basketball side of things. The tech are they expected to be pretty good in the ACC? Lucas Boyd: The men's, I think can I think they're right on the bubble. I think they could definitely make the tournament, especially with the expanded tournament. they returned their two best players from last year, Ben Hammond and Marnie Hansbury. And I mean, I think I think they could really make some noise in the ACC, not on the level of Duke, Virginia, Miami, those teams, but I I think I would put around maybe UNC and just for you. Porch Talk: I was gonna say you left them out. You left the team out on that first initial thing, but I'm I'm gonna forgive you for it, but that's Lucas Boyd: Yeah. I added I added that for ya. Yeah, but I I think they could make some noise and I I think they could make the tournament in a like a nine, ten, eleven C p potentially, so I think they'll be pretty good. Porch Talk: Yeah. Tech seems to have a bad history of getting left out when they shouldn't be the tournament. back to Yeah. Lucas Boyd: Yeah, it's unfortunately. Unfortunately. Porch Talk: So they almost have to be like a lot better than Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: you know, I mean like they they don't get the benefit of doubt a lot of times for some reason. For whatever reason. Yeah. Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Yeah, half yeah. Have to get a few more wins than they should have to, but I think they should be in. Porch Talk: the w women's team I know losing that the coach a few years ago to Kentucky was Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Porch Talk: Big hit, but how are they looking going into the season? Lucas Boyd: I think they'll be about the same as last year. Porch Talk: Coming back to town. Lucas Boyd: they lost a few girls to transfer. but I mean they're Megan Duffy, their head coach, she's brought in several pre f big name recruits. I think she's three or four four stars in this upcoming class. So they're on the rise and they st Carly Winslow's still and she was their best player last year. She's very talented player. So I I think they made the tournament last year. I Porch Talk: I think when I had a current life here. Lucas Boyd: don't think there's any way they're Not gonna make it again. But I think they're on the rise. I think it's a upcoming program. Porch Talk: And I'm moving on, I guess I'm asked about baseball. what's the I I know I don't know the guy. I know I have friends of mine that Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: know know him. I think he's back this year. I think it's from Abingdon Ethan something. Lucas Boyd: Ethan Gibson? Porch Talk: Yeah. Is he he's is he back this year? Or see, did he get okay. Lucas Boyd: Yeah, he's back. Yeah, he's back. Porch Talk: that's the only thing I know about tech baseball is that he he Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: plays and he's pretty good. But the baseball team, what what are they looking like? Is are they contenders in A C C or are they kinda where are they at? Lucas Boyd: they're an above average ACC team. I don't think they're quite near the top, but I mean last year was a was I think a success. They they were second seed in the UCLA regional and they had UCLA on the ropes. They were up I think two in the or maybe three in the ninth inning. and got walked off. But they returned. I think basically everybody they lost Brent Ref Brent Ranfro. And a few other pitchers in the draft. but you know, all the position players, like you mentioned, Ethan Gibson, Porch Talk: Yeah, all the direct recommends. Lucas Boyd: great, great guy. very talented baseball player as well. He's back. Ethan Ball at second base, he was a freshman last year. He was he was phenomenal. he's back. and Pete Daniel at short. They they have several great players returning, and I think they could make some noise. They they added a few transfer guys, they added Nate Bennett. He's a pitcher. He's he's pretty solid. so yeah, I think that looks pretty good. I think they'll make the Porch Talk: Yeah, I think that was so. Lucas Boyd: make a regional again. but yeah, I think the program's trending in the right direction. John Schiff, he just got extended. he's did he's did a great job with program. Porch Talk: Good deal, man. did you play baseball in high school? Lucas Boyd: I did junior and senior year. Maybe sophomore year too, but I I wasn't I wasn't that good. I w I wasn't good at all. But I had a fun time. It it was fun. Porch Talk: I just I remember you said that about the dream thing with the writing for baseball. I thought maybe Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Porch Talk: maybe baseball's his sport and I just didn't realize it, but Yeah, Lucas Boyd: Not so much playing, but I love watching it. I've always I've always loved watching it, so Porch Talk: I it it was probably I don't wanna say it was my favorite sport in high school Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: because, you know, I mean just loved them all and a dedicated majority of my my ancient spare time I had went into working on basketball. Baseball was like my I don't wanna say we didn't put a lot put work in, but the off season stuff at Twin Valley at the time was non existent. We didn't do anything. we threw on our own or we kinda hit tried to hit on our own but we didn't even really have a a hitting cage up or anything. So like my first ep my first time really getting into any kind of baseball stuff was the day the season started. after basketball was over. Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: so it I I took it serious but I I didn't put the all the extra time in. So baseball for me was almost like my relaxing, no pressure, just have fun thing in high school. You know what I mean? That's I Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Porch Talk: know I think I think that's why I loved it so much was 'cause it was just there's no expectation really on on you to go out, which I didn't mind the expectations in in basketball. I loved it actually, but It's just kinda at the end of the year, once you got through football getting beat up on, and then you got through the basketball season and then it's kinda like a a fun, relaxing reset for me in high school is what baseball Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: was. And I really, really enjoy playing it. can't watch it as much as I Lucas Boyd: It's a really fun sport, yeah. Porch Talk: used to. I used to be able to watch games on T V, like Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: professional games. I can't I'm not as into it as I used to be anymore. If it's not the Braves, I can't sit and watch a a game. do Lucas Boyd: Yeah, that's that's pretty common. A lot of people just aren't big fans of it and that I understand that. Porch Talk: But in in person's completely different. I go to love in person. Lucas Boyd: Wow. Great, great experience, yeah. Porch Talk: Yeah. Do you cover any other any other sports like besides I guess you do softball, but anything that maybe I'm not at soccer or any stuff like that that I'm Lucas Boyd: No in you know, I could have the opportunity to cover like soccer, but I just I don't know a ton about it. I I enjoyed watching the World Cup, but I d I just I'm not I'm not very keen on all the all the rules and what's exact what's exactly going on, so Porch Talk: Yeah. What about wrestling at Virginia Tech? It's a big wrestling's really good at tech. Lucas Boyd: I I've never covered it. I've been to a few duels and it's a great experience. Hopefully this upcoming season I get to cover a duel or two because, you know, I I love wrestling Porch Talk: Yeah. Lucas Boyd: as it is, so yeah, that'd be that'd be really cool. Porch Talk: I feel like anytime you spend a grundy, something had to you have to be at least some knowledge of that. Lucas Boyd: Yeah, somet something clicked. Yeah. Yeah. Porch Talk: well man, I'm gonna ask you just a few random questions. not really Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: anything involving stuff like serious stuff. This is kind of the fun part, I guess, if you want to call it that, of the interview. But being in Blacksburg, have a few questions about Blacksburg. favorite place to eat in Blacksburg. Lucas Boyd: Good. El Rodeo, it's a Mexican restaurant. It's delicious. Porch Talk: Heard of Lucas Boyd: Trilli good. Porch Talk: If you had to pick Well, i it's baseball I guess, but if you had to pick I gu I was gonna say if you had to pick one sport that you think would be the most fun to watch tech play for a national championship in, which sport would it be? Lucas Boyd: it has to be football. Yeah. It has to be football. That would be Porch Talk: Yeah, that's what I I mean, that's what I said. Yeah. Lucas Boyd: what an experience. Porch Talk: That'd crazy. That'd be Lucas Boyd: It would be. Porch Talk: yeah. Be a long yeah. I yeah, I don't want to jinx anything, but I I think the next few years would be our best chance we've had in a very long time just with the way we're Lucas Boyd: Yeah, agree. Porch Talk: gonna way things going. any hobbies of yours that just when you're not doing anything school related or work related or anything like that, that what what what would you be doing? Lucas Boyd: Yeah, I love watching movies. I'm a big movie guy. I do read some history books. I enjoy reading. Big music fan too. Porch Talk: That was my next that was one of my next questions was favorite band or not be band, but in artist band, wh who's your favorite? Lucas Boyd: my favorite artist is Kanye West, but I don't know if you know who that is. Porch Talk: Kanye? Lucas Boyd: yeah. Porch Talk: I'm not that old. Yeah. I know Lucas Boyd: Well well, it's just he's kinda hit or miss and I'll give you Porch Talk: I know he's been a little hot water last few years of some things, but I mean Yeah. Lucas Boyd: Yeah, it's it's it's been hit or miss with him. It's been rough. But but I've been listening to a lot of a lot of older country, Hank Junior, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash. listen to a lot of that stuff. So Porch Talk: Can't go wrong there. Yeah. Lucas Boyd: it I just listen to about everything. It doesn't really make a difference to me. Porch Talk: Now my my next question is, is your dad a con different? Lucas Boyd: No, I don't think so. I I don't think I've ever played it for him. Porch Talk: let's see. so no as far as hobbies go, no golf, nothing like that, no fishing, do you hunt? Lucas Boyd: I fish a little bit, not too big. I hunt every now and then, but golf, you know, I I go about once or twice a year. Dad and my brother, they love it. I mean they they Porch Talk: yeah? Lucas Boyd: golf they golf it out. They go about every week during the summer and spring. But me, you know, I I'll go probably once or twice a year, but Porch Talk: Yeah. Lucas Boyd: I'm not patient enough. I it makes me mad, so I just I try to stay away from it, try to keep the keep my happiness still there. Porch Talk: Yeah. I understand. I I ha I walk a fine line with that battle of having fun and breaking club type of stuff, Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Porch Talk: I don't always win that battle, so it's not good. Lucas Boyd: It's tough. Porch Talk: And I'm not in the good either, that's the thing. I'm terrible, but for some reason I get I get I'm upset about playing bad, but I don't I'm I'm not in the good. That's why I expect it, you know. Lucas Boyd: Yeah. That's that's how I am. 'Cause 'cause I'm terrible but every time I hit the ball into the woods or something it just it makes me mad for some reason. It makes me want to not play but Porch Talk: favorite well we got your favorite baseball teams and the Orioles. Colts fan, right? I'm assuming that's Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Porch Talk: favorite. Let's see, who what else we got? Favorite hockey, like hockey? Lucas Boyd: not really, but I like the I like the Boston Bruins logo, so I think you could say that. Porch Talk: So that's a very bad. Lucas Boyd: I don't think I can name a single hockey player, but you know. I Porch Talk: Yeah. Lucas Boyd: follow the Boston Bruins on Instagram, so we'll say that. Porch Talk: Got okay. Well we'll go with the have you have you been to an Orioles game at in Lucas Boyd: I have. we went it was last summer I think. We went to Camden Yards in Baltimore. It w it was beautiful, it was a really good experience. Porch Talk: Are there any other bucket list stadiums, whether it be baseball, football, that you've kinda put up up there you'd like to get to? Lucas Boyd: That's a question. I'd love to go to Yankee Stadium for baseball. And and I'll say Finway. Finway's just the iconic green monster. And for football I'd The the Raiders New Stadium in Las Vegas would be pretty cool. Porch Talk: That's the that's the black and looks like the thing off Star Wars with the what's it called? The Lucas Boyd: Yeah. Yeah. Porch Talk: something star, I don't know. I'm not sure what it's called, but yeah. Lucas Boyd: Yeah, it's yeah, it's really cool. Porch Talk: yeah, I I n I would love to go to watch a game at Notre Dame. I think that'd be really good. Lucas Boyd: that would be cool. Porch Talk: Green Bay just because it's just I mean, just the history there. Lucas Boyd: Legendary, yeah. Porch Talk: see what I'm trying to think of another N NFL. I don't I think that's kind of it NFL wise. Like I'm not Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: nothing else is really drawing me. Draw me there those is c college I as bad as I hate to. I gotta go watch a game at Tennessee at some point just to say I did. Lucas Boyd: yeah, I w I wanna see Rocky Top. Porch Talk: Yeah. and then I hate USC, but I think it'd be cool to watch a game at the what what's whatever that stadium's called. yeah, Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Rolls Bell Stadium, yeah. Porch Talk: the Rose Bowl Stadium. a little th a few things like that. But baseball, funny story about Yankee Stadium. the old Yankee Stadium I went to we went on a school trip my junior year I think it was or sophomore Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: year and one of the things on the trip we got to do was go to Yankee Stadium watch a game. yeah Lucas Boyd: That's really cool. Porch Talk: and then they end up we actually end up watching them play the White Sox and the White Sox won the World Series that year. And I I hate the Yankees so I was ha more than happy to pull against them. But it was Lucas Boyd: Yeah, I do too, but I I I just want to go just Porch Talk: Yeah. I say but it was as a baseball fan it was a really cool And especially Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: being the old one, now that they've, you know, got the new one, they get was really cool getting to say I went into the old dingy stadium and it was Lucas Boyd: Yeah, that's a that's an awesome experience, yeah. Porch Talk: turned out to be pretty cool. Finway for sure, I would love to do that. And then I'd like to go to Wrigley. Just see this. That'd be cool. Lucas Boyd: yeah. Ray was up there too. Porch Talk: Yeah. so favorite ice cream. Lucas Boyd: Moose tracks. they're good. Porch Talk: Yeah, you can't go wrong with yeah. It's yeah. Lucas Boyd: You just got me hungry. Yeah, you can't. Porch Talk: And probably the most important question that I've I'll ask and I we used to ask this on porch talk to some guys and it's probably it's probably not most people's most important question. And in reality it's probably not the most important question I've asked, but for my personal preference and just curiosity, it's my most important question. Steak. I'm assuming you like steak. Lucas Boyd: I do. Porch Talk: How do you like it cooked? Lucas Boyd: Medium. Porch Talk: That's a good answer, Luke's. Good answer. I knew I knew I knew I you wouldn't Lucas Boyd: Mm-hmm. Porch Talk: let me down on that one. man, Lucas Boyd: Perfect. Porch Talk: I appreciate you coming on here. I've had a blast talking to you. Lucas Boyd: I've had a good time. Thank you for having me, Jay Moore. Porch Talk: I think it's I think just the whole thing covering all that, I think it's it sounds like an amazing experience. I'd imagine it's a lot of work. Lucas Boyd: It is, but it it's it's like a thing that you get as much as you put in and so I try to put in as much as I can, write as much as I can, do as much as I can. And it's it's great experience and like you said, it's it's fun and I love it, so Porch Talk: Yeah. Man, I appreciate it. I'll probably I'll try to have you back on again later on, maybe do it before the football season's over with. Talk some tech football and maybe even into the basketball and baseball seasons. We'll just talk some Lucas Boyd: Sounds good. Porch Talk: talk some tech sports. But I appreciate your time, man, and thanks for being here. And till till I want to say next week, but until next time everybody, thanks for watching. This is Uncle J Moore and y'all have a good one. Lucas Boyd: Thank you.