Beechwood really hasn't played any Ohio schools in the past several years for them to not be fans of the staff. Not sure how long ago, but I know Alter was one of the last Ohio teams Beechwood played, it's been several years since they played CHCA too, not sure if they played any since.

 

Don't have to play teams for coaches to get to know one another.

I and the rest of B. R. Nation fully know what Jackson meant and we cant replace him. Mills is a very sturdy back though in tough yardage situations but he is not going to break many if any. If our backs hold up this year as I feel they will we will be a tough out for anyone in class A and if they don't and we find ourselves passing 75% of the time the trophy will likely not be back in Mayfield.

 

Similar question will be how Beechwood does without Nussbaum? There is no one I can think of that can replace him for the Tigers but I know you guys are high on a couple of the returning kids though their name escapes me at this time

 

Agreed. No one is going to replace Nussbaum. However, if we look at the skill players on offense as a whole, I think Beechwood is better this coming year than last. There is a senior back with breakaway speed who gained over 700 yards and averaged 7 yards per carry, the same average as Nussbaum. There is a QB who showed in the playoffs last year that he has great potential passing the ball. There is a very good and deep group of ends and receivers.

 

Nussbaum will likely be missed more on defense than offense. With Nussbaum and Justice, Beechwood had a great pair of linebackers that will be hard to replace. There is young talent that is going to be exciting to see develop but they aren't going to be the same as those two graduating LB.

Agreed. No one is going to replace Nussbaum. However, if we look at the skill players on offense as a whole, I think Beechwood is better this coming year than last. There is a senior back with breakaway speed who gained over 700 yards and averaged 7 yards per carry, the same average as Nussbaum. There is a QB who showed in the playoffs last year that he has great potential passing the ball. There is a very good and deep group of ends and receivers.

 

Nussbaum will likely be missed more on defense than offense. With Nussbaum and Justice, Beechwood had a great pair of linebackers that will be hard to replace. There is young talent that is going to be exciting to see develop but they aren't going to be the same as those two graduating LB.

Couldn't agree more VOR, BW will not be able to replace Nussbaum and Justice, they will be young and inexperienced, but in looking at the kids who are potential replacements, they are talented and athletic, just don't have the snaps.....hopefully they can gain experience quickly. IMO BW will be much better on the DLine which will give those inexperienced LBs some protection and time to grow.

I got the seats 900 from a UC website.

 

Not sure on who if any turned BW down, but didn't Beechwood drill CHCA a few years a go in a bowl game at Beechwood? I am thinking maybe 8 years ago? But as was said before, teams give up control on finding an opponent when they play in these events and they are more worried about the bigger games, I am sure Rash or the AD could have found at least a few teams.

Was there for the Friday night lights camp, definitely doesn't hold 2500, but from my estimation is well above 900. They do have that terrace area near the south end zone where probably 300-400 people could stand, but not sure how many people want to stand for a whole game during the month of August!

Was there for the Friday night lights camp, definitely doesn't hold 2500, but from my estimation is well above 900. They do have that terrace area near the south end zone where probably 300-400 people could stand, but not sure how many people want to stand for a whole game during the month of August!

 

I believe it is now listed as 1200 with the Terrace area to the left of the main stands. I think they call it "Flexible Seating." I'm sure Gamble will clear the stadium out between games. It will still be tight if Lima brings any sort of crowd.

 

The way I see it, the schedule is set. So the Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda's really don't matter. The boys need to make the best of it and enjoy the unique experience. I know most of them are excited about playing there.

Was there for the Friday night lights camp, definitely doesn't hold 2500, but from my estimation is well above 900. They do have that terrace area near the south end zone where probably 300-400 people could stand, but not sure how many people want to stand for a whole game during the month of August!

 

You will find no bigger fan of these two kids than me, but let's get put some reality in here. I think Justice played a total of 4 games last year. As such, he did not get a chance to have that big of an impact overall. If they had been healthy and eligible all year, along with Nate Kinman, they would have been one of the best (if not the best) linebacker crews in NKY. You do not replace Max Nussbaum, you simply try to cope without him. Especially when you figure he started every varsity game he was available since his Freshman season ended in 2009. Definitely hard to replace, but this is the least of my worries on the defensive side. If coaches make some movements on defense, I think we have some guys that can do a great job there. Talley was great at linebacker last year. Add Slusher to the mix and I think its a solid start. With all the focus on Stringer and Feiger, I think Slusher is actually the next Beechwood standout in the mold of Nussbaum. There are also guys like Everett who love to hit and can step up and play linebacker. Of course, it all depends on what the coaches do with him. Also, with some better play from D-End with Combs and others, there will not be so much pressure on the Linebackers. Nussbaum had to be a stud so that BW could reliably keep good backs from gaining significant yardage on the outside. He was amazing at it, but how many linebackers can handle their assignments up the middle, but also have the instincts, talent and speed to get to the outside stop the run there. I just don't expect that the new defense will require a Max Nussbaum type. In my opinion, the Def-End spot is where the cracks appeared last year. If you can't contain the backfield, it makes for a long Friday night for DBs and Linebackers. I expect Combs to be a game changer in that position this year.

 

All that to say that I believe we will "cope" with the loss of Nussbaum by spreading out the talent. Yes, we don't yet have a Max Nussbaum, but by improving in other areas of defense, it will be much easier to cope with the loss of the last year's senior Linebacking crew.

 

On a side note...

Since his name came up, I wanted to take the opportunity to say that Beechwood was lucky to have Justice last year. Even when hurt or ineligible, he had an impact. I loved watching him play, but he was a great leader and supported his teammates when hey were struggling. Not often do you see a transfer come in and be a leader like that. A lot of BW kids could take a lesson from him. Good Luck Colin.

^ Good comments OSD.

 

I agree 100% on Slusher. He is not getting the hype of some of the other freshmen, now sophomores but he may be the best of the bunch when it is all said and done. And he will be excellent at LB. Great instincts. He will be an impact player as a sophomore at LB and WR.

 

I will disagree on Tally (sp?). There is no doubt he has talent. But I think he struggled at times last year on his assignments. If he can get that fixed, he could be really good. He will be a key player, especially on defense. Hopefully that year of experience and more hard work and attention to the details will make him the player this year that he can be. The Tigers need his leadership and playmaking.

 

I also agree on Justice. Great kid and it was awesome he got to spend his senior year with his long time friends at Beechwood. It was unfortunate he had to fight through the injuries but when he played, you could see how big a difference he made. He was terrific in the season opener versus Simon Kenton in the first half before the injury issues set in. If Beechwood had that player on the field all season, big difference. He played on sheer guts in the playoffs last year. Very few kids would have even been on the field. Yet he played and made a difference when he was out there even playing at 70% health at best. Everyone is really rooting for him to stay healthy and enjoy success at Thomas More.

Have heard rumors of Combs moving to Tackle on offense. Can someone closer to the team confirm that? If true, can someone then try to tell me why this would be? This kid is a game changer on both sides of the ball. While I realize Beechwood needs to replace the interior line, but there has to be better options. I can think of no one that can be the Tight-End he was. I'm certainly not an expert, but with his Speed, Size and hands, I thought he was on his way to D1 ball at the Tight-End position. I saw him play 4 games and he dominated at all of them. Not only did he destroy Defenses with his blocking, he could catch the ball (never saw him drop one) and then turn and deliver a blow to a corner or linebacker. He delivered a blow early in the Ryle game and the Linebacker and DB that he pounded after the catch wanted nothing to do with him the rest of the game. Great Blocking and great hands are tough to replace. If true, I'll assume the coaches know what they are doing, but definitely put me in the Skeptical column. I don't want to be mean, but what I saw in the TE spot last year was very disappointing and don't see anyone that can do it. I believe we need a Great Tight End to compliment Feiger and the deep WR crew we have.

I have heard the Combs to tackle story also. I believe there are several reasons:

 

1. I am not sure how fast Combs is so I question your comments about speed. Perhaps someone else will confirm. I am not saying he is slow. I am saying he does not have receiver type speed.

 

2. The offensive line is the biggest challenge facing this year's team. Combs will be a big help at tackle and have more impact there than he would at end.

 

3. You are overlooking Stokes at tight end. He is a real difference maker if he is healthy and on the field. Stokes has big potential at end.

I believe it is now listed as 1200 with the Terrace area to the left of the main stands. I think they call it "Flexible Seating." I'm sure Gamble will clear the stadium out between games. It will still be tight if Lima brings any sort of crowd.

 

The way I see it, the schedule is set. So the Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda's really don't matter. The boys need to make the best of it and enjoy the unique experience. I know most of them are excited about playing there.

 

Aren't the Skyline Showdown tickets based on the doubleheader session and not one individual game? If that is the case they cannot clear out the stadium between games. The past two years my Showdown ticket was good for both games played.

^ Good comments OSD.

...

I will disagree on Tally (sp?). There is no doubt he has talent. But I think he struggled at times last year on his assignments. If he can get that fixed, he could be really good. He will be a key player, especially on defense. Hopefully that year of experience and more hard work and attention to the details will make him the player this year that he can be. The Tigers need his leadership and playmaking.

 

...

 

 

I do agree with you, but I also think he's a talent. I don't believe that he started playing football until the 8th grade. That likely accounts for missing some assignments. There's a lot to learn in the game nowadays. Almost everyone can learn what they are supposed to do, but "Instincts and Talent" is the difference between making the play or truly making a difference. So, we'll have to see what he and the staff have done in the off season to improve.

I do agree with you, but I also think he's a talent. I don't believe that he started playing football until the 8th grade. That likely accounts for missing some assignments. There's a lot to learn in the game nowadays. Almost everyone can learn what they are supposed to do, but "Instincts and Talent" is the difference between making the play or truly making a difference. So, we'll have to see what he and the staff have done in the off season to improve.

 

I am with you. I am excited about his potential. He could be really fun to watch. I expect big things out of him this season. He and the coaches will do what Beechwood does best -work their tails off every day to be the best they can be.

I have heard the Combs to tackle story also. I believe there are several reasons:

 

1. I am not sure how fast Combs is so I question your comments about speed. Perhaps someone else will confirm. I am not saying he is slow. I am saying he does not have receiver type speed.

 

2. The offensive line is the biggest challenge facing this year's team. Combs will be a big help at tackle and have more impact there than he would at end.

 

3. You are overlooking Stokes at tight end. He is a real difference maker if he is healthy and on the field. Stokes has big potential at end.

 

I would have to see a replay to see if anyone was close to him but didn't Combs scoop up a fumble in last year's state playoffs and return it for a TD? With his hands he could be a possession type receiver. If he does go to tackle then it would be interesting to see a few tackle eligible wrinkles in the play book.

I have heard the Combs to tackle story also. I believe there are several reasons:

 

1. I am not sure how fast Combs is so I question your comments about speed. Perhaps someone else will confirm. I am not saying he is slow. I am saying he does not have receiver type speed.

 

2. The offensive line is the biggest challenge facing this year's team. Combs will be a big help at tackle and have more impact there than he would at end.

 

3. You are overlooking Stokes at tight end. He is a real difference maker if he is healthy and on the field. Stokes has big potential at end.

 

 

I'm not overlooking Stokes at all. Again, I don't want to be mean to a kid, but a player has to be reliable. That starts with being eligible to play and extends to simply coming to practice and having a work ethic. Most of his missed games last year had nothing to do with injuries. If you want to be a talent and make an impact for your team, you MUST be on the field. That means staying academically eligible and not breaking team rules. The work ethic piece is huge for me. Two weeks ago, I ran into a player and was told that Stokes has not been to practice yet. Hopefully that has changed. While I don't think he's a "difference maker" I do think he can be a contributor if he wants to be. He also has a temper. I can remember a number of "Personality-based" penalties last year. If he can get past this stuff, then I think the coaches can help him be the player we need.

 

I also don't think he has the hands. He had a lot of opportunities last year and I remember more than a few dropped balls. Especially in key third-down situations. For the first time in a long-time, we are going to have a QB with the ability check down the receivers. We need a very reliable Tight-End to be the outlet. If we have that outlet, I think this Beechwood team will look like no other in recent history.

 

I'm good with your explanation about fixing the line, but I'm concerned about the missed opportunity here. Does Combs have WR speed, NO, but that's not what is needed at Tight End. He has very solid speed. Better than any Tight End I can remember in recent years. Its the whole package that I think is a loss. Hopefully, I'm completely wrong on my assessments and other kids will step-up. Fortunately, I'm not in-the-know and don't pretend to be the expert. Just a fat old alumnus that was lucky to play in the days when you didn't have to have size or talent.

 

If Combs doesn't play tight-end then maybe some Tackle-eligible plays will make their way into the BW playbook

For those of you in the know, can we agree this looks like the best Beechwood team in a long time on paper?