Former Souhegan standout Will Boyle goes full tilt at a recent CHaD Team West practice in Amherst. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

AMHERST – Former Souhegan High School lineman Will Boyle feels he and the CHaD East-West All-Star Football Game are a perfect fit.

“It means a lot,” Boyle said. “I actually personally know some people who have had experiences with CHaD. It’s a great cause, I would not have it any other way.”

And playing for Team West, he’ll get his way. He’s heard the name Childrens Hospital at Dartmouth all around the Amherst area from friends who have or know those who have had to rely on the facility’s great services.

Boyle was an offensive lineman and defensive end for the Sabers during their state championship season, saying he “had a blast”. And he’s going to try to keep playing.

Or at least give it the old college try – at Kent State.

“I’m going to try – and see where it takes me,” Boyle said. “I’m thinking D-I or no. I’m that kind of person, I’m going to give it may all or nothing. See where it takes me; if it doesn’t end up working out, then it doesn’t.”

Boyle made the move this past fall to defensive end from linebacker his junior year after talking to one of the Saber assistants.

“I got in the weight room, and hustled,” he said. “And I just fell in love with it. And last year, because of COVID, I kind of played every game like it was my last. That’s the mentality I had to have. I just balled out.”

“He was an animal,” Team West and Souhegan coach Robin Bowkett said. “He led our team in sacks. A fierce offensive lineman, just relentless, a high motor kid.”

He’ll likely have to do that again to make Kent State. He’s been in touch with the coaches and will walk on, knowing he’ll likely have to revert back to linebacker.

“I’ll pretty much live in the weight room, and live on the field, and see where it takes me,” he said. “I don’t have the build for D-line but I have the speed, in my opinion.”

Don’t sell Boyle short, Bowkett said.

“We got more out of him than maybe we expected,” the coach said. “We thought he was going to be a good player, but not to the level that he was this year. He was awesome.”

And, of course, winning a state title was the icing on the cake in a year where the unknown was the norm.

“It was fantastic, unreal,” Boyle said. “I didn’t know what to expect. We formed as a team, played team ball, and got it done.”

Thus the CHaD Game takes on an even bigger personal meaning for him, because he can get some game film out of it to show the Kent State staff.

“It’s definitely something that’s gone through my head,” he said. “Just kind of do my job and then see what happens.”

But he will also keep his mind on the cause.

“Friends have told me ‘Oh, my family member was there, had to stay there a few months after they were born,'” Boyle said. “There are a lot of kids out there, I’m playing for a reason. It’s going to be amazing.”

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