Even in high school, though we’re minors (unless you’re an 18+ senior), I found the phrasing odd. I say man as an adult. I said “guy” instead in high school. Maybe it’s because I’m neurodivergent and it sounded better to my autistic brain. I dunno.
My fiancé isn’t a boy, I would never say I liked a boy or was engaged to a boy. I usually say a guy or a man, especially once he finally hits age 18.
Edit: Worse in a story I read. 25M, gay, says he wants to “prey on boys”. I can assure you this was not their intention and they meant he wanted to look for men around his age, but you know how it sounds,
At any age here in the South, especially by each other. Come to think of it, it’s much the same for “boys”.