So close, and yet so far. Following back to back state championships in 2007 and 2008, the Tigers have met an obstacle they have not been able to hurdle in the past 4 playoff seasons in the Mayfield Cardinals. Each of the past four seasons the Tigers have marched to their state semifinals meeting with the Cardinals, only to return to Ft. Mitchell each of those years one game short of another chance at state championship number 12. But this year, for the first time since those titles, the Cardinals are without their 4 year starting linebacker, running back and team leader – Jonathon Jackson. Could this finally be the year Beechwood gets back to a state championship game?

 

There is guarded optimism for the 2013 version of the Tigers. There are significant player losses but a large number of young, talented players are anxious to prove they can do the job. Max Nussbaum led the Tigers on both sides of the ball but he is moving on to Eastern Kentucky to continue his football career. Inspirational linebacker Colin Justice is headed to Thomas More. Starting linemen and N. Ky. All Stars Chad Evans, Corey Biddle, Taylor Overstreet and Dan Middendorf as well as talented two way player Chris Lightner all need to be replaced. However, the Beechwood program is one that reloads each year and the underclassmen are confident and ready.

 

A preview of the young talent came prematurely for Beechwood in last year’s playoffs when Coach Rash made the gutsy move of immediately starting a couple players from the Beechwood undefeated freshman team. The most significant of those was QB Kyle Fieger. Fieger started in his first varsity game in round one of the playoffs and made Coach Rash look very smart by throwing 5 TD passes. Fieger is a poised 3 sport star whose biggest asset in football may be his ability to read defenses and find their weakness. Fieger was joined in the starting playoff lineup by freshman end Brayden Combs. Combs is moving to tackle on the offensive side this year. At 6’5” 220 pounds he has the size and ability to be a standout and looks to build on the growing tradition of D1 linemen who have played for the Tigers. WR/LB Brett Slusher, RB/DB Ethan Stringer and FB/LB Ryan Bankemper are other freshmen who saw action in last year’s playoffs and have the Tiger faithful excited about the future.

 

It isn’t all about those super sophs. There are 12 returning players who have started games for the Tigers. Senior RB Mitch Thomas has patiently waited behind Nussbaum. Thomas has proven he can do the job, rushing for 760 yards and 9 TD’s in 2012 with a 7.5 yard per carry average. Fieger should have some fast and proven targets in returning starting senior receiver Max Shover and junior Joe Studer. Senior Jalen Hayden is another receiver who is poised for a breakout season. Another WR who could jump into the picture is Jr. Jeremy Burns, an outstanding lacrosse player who has excellent speed. Senior returning starter Luke Maricle leads the way on an offensive line that should average out at about 235 lb. Perhaps the biggest challenge, and even the key to this Tigers season, will be putting together a new offensive line with its only returning season long starter changing positions. OL coach and former Bengals lineman Darrick Brilz has a teaching challenge this season with all the new starters but he has proven he has an eye for talent and how to put a line together.

 

Defensively, the Tigers biggest challenge will be inserting new starters at inside linebacker. Sophomores Ryan Bankemper and Brett Slusher are talented possibilities with a nose for the ball. Newcomer Bret Finck has potential to find the starting lineup and Colton Kinman will also get considered. Outside backers Jack Talley and Devon Everett return as starters. The defensive line is led by Riley McKown who returns after an outstanding sophomore season. There are a number of strong candidates to help McKown on the d-line led by Trey Hicks, Jonathan Stokes and Combs. The defensive backfield includes returning starters at CB Shover and Thomas. New faces to keep an eye on here are Stringer, Jeremy Burns and Casey Erdman.

 

The schedule is tough as always. Five 4A or bigger schools and the two most recent 2A champions form the non district schedule. The annual rivalry games with Newport Central Catholic and Covington Catholic are the featured battles, with the Covington Catholic game being televised locally by Fox Sports. The Tigers added Franklin County to this year’s schedule.

 

It is a difficult season to predict. There is talent and the Beechwood coaching staff knows how to win. It will be interesting to see how they put the pieces in place and how quickly it all comes together. Will the Tiger offense take the air more this year with Fieger at the helm? There are a lot of good football players and the coaches have tough decisions in finding the best lineups, positions and playing time. It will be a work in progress. The Tigers should capture another district title and have to be favored to make it back to the state semifinals. That will likely lead to another road trip to Mayfield. Can the Tigers figure out a way to finally beat the Cardinals?

 

 

Leading players to watch:

 

QB Kyle Fieger (5’10”, 160 Soph.) – Fieger made quite an impression with his playoff performance last year. In those games he showed the potential to be a QB with passing talent not seen in quite some time in Ft. Mitchell. He has been very impressive in the 7 on 7’s showing the arm to throw the deep pass and the vision to find the open receiver. Fieger can also do damage running the ball if that is what the defense gives him.

 

RB Mitch Thomas (5’9” 185 Sr.) – Thomas has been a high performing breakaway threat at each level of his career at Beechwood. He has impressed when given the chance in varsity carries. With the injuries to backs in 2012, Thomas got a lot of carries and experience. The Tigers offense always has a strong feature back and Thomas is the heir apparent in 2013.

 

RB/DB Joe Studer (5’8” 160 Jr.) – Studer made a number of big plays receiving the ball in 2012 late in the season and in the playoffs. He may be the toughest Tiger pound for pound and has big play potential.

 

WR/LB Brett Slusher (6’1” 175 Soph.) – Slusher is impressive on both sides of the ball. He is a playmaker at WR and at LB he is one of those players who always seems to be right where the ball is.

 

LB/RB Jack Talley (5’10” 180 Jr.) - Talley showed flashes of his talent in his sophomore season as he learned while starting at outside backer. In 2013, the Tigers are looking for him to take another step up and become a key factor.

 

LB Bret Finck (5’10” 230 Jr.) – This is a new player to the Tigers roster in 2013. Good size along with speed to play LB, he looks like he could be tough for opponents to handle at his inside linebacker slot.

 

FB/LB Ryan Bankemper (5’11” 190 Soph.) – Bankemper is one of those throw back players who just loves to hit you. He could win a starting position at LB and will be a bruising FB when he gets reps on that side of the ball.

 

RB/DB Ethan Stringer (6’1” 185 Soph.) – Stringer is a physically gifted player who led the freshman team to an undefeated championship. He is a threat to score any time he carries the ball and will likely fill the key free safety position on defense.

 

DL/OL Riley McKown (6’2” 235 Jr.) – McKown made quite a splash winning a starting position on the DL as a sophomore. He is a quick and tough competitor and will be the leader on the DL for the Tigers.

 

OG Luke Maricle (6’1” 240 Sr.) – Last year Maricle started at tackle but will be moving over to guard in 2013. He has good pulling speed to lead the charge for the Beechwood running offense.

 

OL/DE Brayden Combs (6’5” 220 Soph.) – Combs stepped right into the starting lineup in the playoffs last year and will be counted on heavily on both sides of the ball in 2013. He is definitely a player to keep your eye on over the next few years.

 

OL/DE Trey Hicks (6’1” 200 Sr. ) – Hicks appeared set to start at DE last year before a knee injury sidelined him for the season. He has worked hard to get back and has the size, strength and speed to be a key addition on defense.

 

K Miles Sletto – Sletto showed an accurate and strong leg in 2012. He should be a valuable player putting kickoffs into the end zone and a consistent field goal threat.

 

Other names to watch for: Sr. DB/WR Devon Everett 6’1” 175; Sr. WR/DB Jalen Hayden 5’9” 150; Jr. DE/TE Jonathan Stokes 6’2” 205; Sr. WR/DB Carter Burns 6’ 165; Jr. WR/DB Jeremy Burns 5’10” 150

Here is the Beechwood 2013 varsity schedule:

 

Aug. 16 .......Conner ......... Scrimmage .......7:30

Aug. 23 .......Goshen, Ohio...Scrimmage .......7:00

Aug. 30 .......vs Lima Sr. ...............8:00 (Skyline Chili Crosstown @ U.C. Sheakley Center)

Sept. 6 .......Dixie Heights ..............7:30

Sept. 13 .....Holy Cross .................7:30

Sept. 20 .....at Franklin County .......7:00

Sept. 27 .....at Holmes ..................7:00

Oct. 3 ........Covington Catholic ......7:00 (Thursday night, FOX Sports TV)

Oct. 11 ......at Bellevue .................7:00

Oct. 18 ......Dayton ......................7:30

Oct. 25 ......Ludlow ......................7:30

Nov. 2 ....... Newport Catholic .......12:00 (Beechwood accommodating NCC due to Holy Friday)

Edited August 11, 201313 yr by EyeOfTheTiger

Nicely done, sir.

 

I'm excited to watch the QB develop.

One important addition to add to the article. The Tigers will be entering this season with heavy hearts. Chad Everett, father of recent Tiger graduate Dane and current Tigers Devon and Dalton, passed away last week after a long hard fought battle against a rare form of cancer. Chad's determination and great support of his family in the toughest of times were an inspiration and example to all those who knew him.

 

The memory that comes to mind for me of Chad was when the Tigers were playing at Mayfield two years ago. It was a cold night and Chad was in the middle of treatments and weakened. I don't think anyone expected him to be at this game, with the long drive and cold weather. Yet, as the game started, Chad came walking slowly to the stands and took his seat. Wow, was all I could think. It epitomized who he was when I saw him sitting there toughing it out in the cold. Then in the first half, Dane caught a pass and took it all the way for a long TD reception. There were high fives all around and we all were so happy for Chad and the family that he was able to be there. A beautiful moment for Chad and his family in the middle of a very tough time.

 

My thoughts and prayers to the Everett family. Tiger nation has lost one of its best.

Looks like Beechwood will be good again. Hope to see them in November in Mayfield.

Looks like the Tigers offense should be locked and loaded.

 

Fieger is going to have a big year and Stringer is a stud period. Scary for Mayfield to have to deal with these sophs another 3 yrs.

AWESOME JOB

 

B-Wood should be very stout again this season.

Looks like the Tigers offense should be locked and loaded.

 

Fieger is going to have a big year and Stringer is a stud period. Scary for Mayfield to have to deal with these sophs another 3 yrs.

 

Mayfield should be scared.

I think the Franklin County game could be huge! If Beechwood can knock them off I donth think anything can stand in their way to a state title.

I think the Franklin County game could be huge! If Beechwood can knock them off I donth think anything can stand in their way to a state title.

Why would you use the Franklin County game as a measuring stick, they lost 85% of their offense from last year and obviously didn't have a great defense.

I think the Franklin County game could be huge! If Beechwood can knock them off I donth think anything can stand in their way to a state title.

 

Drink the Kool-Aid....Drink Drink Drink

Here is the Beechwood 2013 varsity schedule:

 

Aug. 16 .......Conner ......... Scrimmage .......7:30

Aug. 23 .......Goshen, Ohio...Scrimmage .......7:00

Aug. 30 .......vs Lima Sr. ...............8:00 (Skyline Chili Crosstown @ U.C. Sheakley Center)

Sept. 6 .......Dixie Heights ..............7:30

Sept. 13 .....Holy Cross .................7:30

Sept. 20 .....at Franklin County .......7:00

Sept. 27 .....at Holmes ..................7:00

Oct. 3 ........Covington Catholic ......7:00 (Thursday night, FOX Sports TV)

Oct. 11 ......at Bellevue .................7:00

Oct. 18 ......Dayton ......................7:30

Oct. 25 ......Ludlow ......................7:30

Nov. 2 ....... Newport Catholic .......12:00 (Beechwood accommodating NCC due to Holy Friday)

 

All Saints Day.

 

Nonetheless, excellent write-up, the Tigers should be hard to handle this year.

Looks like the Tigers offense should be locked and loaded.

 

Fieger is going to have a big year and Stringer is a stud period. Scary for Mayfield to have to deal with these sophs another 3 yrs.

 

While I certainly hope BW finally turns the tables on Mayfield, given their success on the field I can't see Mayfield ever finding anything scary about the Tigers.

While I certainly hope BW finally turns the tables on Mayfield, given their success on the field I can't see Mayfield ever finding anything scary about the Tigers.

 

I totally agree. Concerned, yes. Scared, no way. Mayfield rolls in new talent just like BW on an annual basis. Mayfield will have a very talented group that could very well neutralize the likes of Stringer, Fieger, Combs, etc. for the next 3 years. Because of the mutual talent there is mutual respect and mutual concern to develop a successful game plan. Teams like BW and Mayfield do not get to Thanksgiving weekend and beyond on an annual basis by being scared..........of anyone.

Looks as though the Tigers are loading up for another run at Mayfield, is this their year, I guess time will tell. I believe they scrimmage Conner this Friday so all the inexperienced Tigers will get an opportunity to grow while facing one of the best QB's in the country. I look for BW to be more balanced on offense and do everything they can to protect their LB's on defense, which IMO will be their weakness on the defensive side of the ball during the early part of the season. Good luck Tigers, hope to see you at WKU this year.