Beechwood 21 Pikeville 20 (Class 1A State Championship)

Final.

Tremendous football game. Congratulations to Beechwood for title #14. And a big hand for Pikeville on a great showing versus the kings of 1A.

What a ball game!! Even as you can get!!’ Just a blocked extra point difference.

Congrats Tigers!

Congrats Coach Rash!

This is State Title number 14 for the Beechwood Tigers.

Instant Classic!

What a ball game!! Even as you can get!!’ Just a blocked extra point difference.

Special teams will get you beat every time against good football teams.

One heck of a ball game. Congratulations to Beechwood. Pikeville has nothing to hang their head about.

What a game! Two very evenly matched teams!

Here's a video shot of THE interception:

Beechwood picks off a Pikeville pass into the end zone and takes over at own 20 up 21-20 with 1:09 remaining.

Fantastic game.

Three big plays:

- Blocked XP on Pikeville's first score. the Panthers chased that point all day and never could find it.

- Jackson Hensley, Pikeville's #1 receiver and best "jump ball" receiver got hurt when Beechwood had a HUGE 4th and 1 conversion en route to their final score. Pikeville missed Hensley their last two drives.

- On the INT by Roberts the headlines will go to Odom who made a great Interception. The credit should also go to whoever the RE was on their Defense. Beechwood only sent three and the DE was still able to pressure Roberts and hit him as he threw the ball.

Pikeville with nothing to hang their heads about. A truly great 1A Title game.

Roberts v. Hergott was as advertised. Great opening game.

A battle royal, to say the least. These two teams fought tooth and nail. BW dominates 1st half and self inflicted penalties kept the game close at 14-6. 2nd half Pikeville's passing game was certainly something to see. Big interception by Odom was a game sealer as the Tigers were hanging on by their fingernails. Classy victory against a quality opponent.

Congratulations to both schools on an outstanding season.

Any word on Hensley?

Great game! Congrats to Beechwood!

Extra Points:

- That Beechwood drive was super impressive to take the lead. Pikeville had all the momentum and had just taken the lead. The Tigers went 45 yards in 12 plays with a pair of 4th Down conversions. You could see the Tiger backs digging a little deeper for extra yards all the way to the point Hergott snuck in on a 2nd effort.

- Beechwood defended Pikeville's run game very well. Panthers only averaged 3 yards per carry and they kept the dangerous Conner Roberts in check with his feet.

- Both teams recovered a kickoff, Beechwood dominated Field Position the entire game and that loomed large. Special Teams played a major role in more ways than the blocked XP.

- Pikeville made plays and never would go away. Beechwood had a big advantage up front but Pikeville forced Beechwood to earn everything all day.

-Pikeville will be a heavy favorite to win the 1A Title in 2019 with the new alignment and a very heavy Junior Class.