Article Written by EyeOfTheTiger

 

In 2013, injuries and youth led the Tigers to a disappointing season. Three key starters including Sr. RB/DB Mitch Thomas and Jr. RB/LB Jack Talley were lost to season ending injuries before the season even started and three other seniors had injury or illness that caused them to play minimally during the season. The result was for the first time in the six class era, Beechwood did not make it to the state semi-finals. The season ended one game short of that mark for the Tigers as a strong Frankfort Panther team beat Beechwood for the first time ever. It also was the first time a Coach Rash football team won less than 9 games, finishing the year at 8-5. The last Beechwood team to win fewer than 9 games was Mike Yeagle’s 2005 Tiger squad which finished 8-4.

 

The good news for Beechwood is a lot of young players played and bring that experience back with them in 2014. By my count, 15 players who started games last season return in 2014. That returning group has Tiger fans whispering optimism that this team can end the 5 year Beechwood championship drought, the longest drought in Ft. Mitchell since the gap between Bernie Barre’s 1984 team won the first Tiger title and Mike Yeagle’s 1991 team brought home his first title.

 

There appears to be a depth of talent in the skill positions. Leading the way is Jr. QB Kyle Fieger. Fieger is statistically the #1 returning QB in N. Ky. In 2013 Fieger completed 59% of his passes for 2,285 yards and 28 TD passes. He loses #1 standout WR Max Shover to graduation, but there is a returning corps of fast, able receivers that should give Fieger plenty of targets. Leading those receivers is super athlete Jr. Brett Slusher and explosive speedster Sr. Jeremy Burns. Jr. Ethan Stringer is the leading returning rusher and receiver. He is another very talented player who will likely be used at both RB and WR. Sr. RB Joe Studer was the second leading rusher in 2013, a strong runner who plays with no fear. Jack Talley returns from the 2013 injury to add a power back that was missing last year. Sr. TE Jonathan Stokes is a talented player who will be used in a variety of roles. The offense should continue its more open style of 2013 behind Fieger and have the ability to put up a lot of points.

 

On the defensive side, the Tigers have some work to do from their 2013 performance. The comment above on offense about skilled talent is also true on defense. The defensive backfield has talent and depth. Burns, Studer, Stringer and Jr. Jacob Cottingham should lead the way for the DB’s. The linebacker corps also has talent and depth with returning starter Sr. Bret Finck filling the middle flanked by Talley, Slusher and Sr. Casey Erdman. The defensive line will be led by 3 year starter Sr. Riley McKown.

 

The key for success for this team though is at the line of scrimmage. In 2013, the Tigers trouble in their big games was stopping the run on defense and running the ball on offense. That is all about the work in the trenches. The Tigers were not very big in 2013 and that showed when they faced teams with size. Another year of maturity and an off season of working harder in the weight room than ever are the Tigers’ solutions to change the results in line play. On the offensive side, hard working Sr. Jackson Mahorney will lead the way at center. Sr. Jake Etler is expected to have a big year at guard. At tackle, gifted athlete and returning starter Jr. Brayden Combs looks to be bigger and better in 2014. Combs also starts at DE and may have been the Tigers’ best defender by the end of the year in 2013. Sr. Blake Hamilton is a returning starter on the DL. One name to keep an eye on is Justin Overstreet. Overstreet has grown significantly since last season in size and strength and may be a name people are talking about as the 2014 season moves forward.

 

The Tigers have worked harder than ever this off season. This team is focused with excellent work ethic and leadership. The taste of last season has lit an even bigger fire in Tiger country. There appears to be enough talent to get the Tigers back where they feel they belong - holding another state championship trophy.

 

Leading players to watch:

 

QB Kyle Fieger (5’11”, 165 Jr.) – As stated above, Fieger is statistically the #1 returning starting QB in N. Ky. He threw for 2,285 yards in his sophomore season and there is no reason why he can’t surpass that in 2014. He is smart with the ball, reading defenses well and can run throw the ball on the run as well as in the pocket.

 

DL/OL Riley McKown (6’2” 250 Sr.) – McKown is a 3year starter, a rarity in the Tiger program. He is a quick and tough competitor and will be the leader on the DL for the Tigers.

 

LB/RB Jack Talley (5’10” 185 Sr.) – Talley missed the entire 2013 season with a knee injury. He showed flashes of his talent in his sophomore season as he learned while starting at outside backer. The Tigers are counting on his senior leadership and a return to the field in 2014.

 

LB Bret Finck (5’10” 230 Sr.) – Finck is a strong, big presence at inside LB for the Tigers. They are expecting him to build on his experience as a starter in 2013 and help plug the middle.

 

RB/DB Joe Studer (5’8” 160 Sr.) – Studer may be the toughest Tiger pound for pound and has big play potential. He is a hard runner who isn’t afraid to hit despite his size. He is exciting to watch and will make plays from RB, WR and in the return game.

 

WR/LB Brett Slusher (6’1” 180 Sr.) – Slusher’s brother was a leader on the last Tigers team to win a title and Brett is hoping he can help lead this Tigers team to the same result. Brett is impressive on both sides of the ball. He is a playmaker at WR and at LB he is excellent at reading the play and finding the ball.

 

RB/DB Ethan Stringer (6’2” 195 Jr.) – Stringer is a physically gifted player as is shown by the baseball scholarship in hand from the University of Louisville. Stringer is an explosive runner. Like Studer, Stringer is a threat to score every time he touches the ball as RB, WR or return man.

 

OL/DE Brayden Combs (6’5” 235 Jr.) – Combs also is physically gifted and holds a baseball scholarship in hand as well, but his is from UK. Combs developed into an excellent DE over his sophomore season and will be a two way starter for the Tigers.

 

WR/DB Jeremy Burns (5’9” 170 Sr.) – Burns name is self descriptive as he is a burner. He is a very fun player to watch with the ball with his speed and cutting ability. The Tigers will be counting on him to use his speed on both sides of the ball.

 

OL Jake Etler (6’3” 255 Sr.) – Etler has worked hard in the weight room to add strength and size. He is a returning starter. The Tigers need him to put his weight room work on display and lead the way from his RG position.

 

DE/TE Jonathan Stokes (6’2” 215 Sr.) – Stokes is another gifted, versatile athlete. He is a playmaker at DE. On offense, in 2013 he scored TD’s as a TE and as tailback in goal line situations. Stokes has the ability to play football at the next level.

 

Other names to watch for: Sr. RB/DB Casey Erdman, Jr. OL/DL Justin Overstreet, Sr. OL/DL Blake Hamilton, Sr. OL/DL Jackson Mahorney, Jr. WR/DB Jacob Cottingham, Sr. WR/DB Grant Plageman, Sr. WR Clay McHugh, Sr. OL/DL Chase Bright, Sr. TE/DL Logan Bright, Jr. K Mario German

 

 

2014 Beechwood Tigers Schedule

 

Aug. 15 Scrimmage vs. Conner 7:30

Aug. 22 Scrimmage at Goshen, Ohio 7:30

Aug. 30 (Saturday) Mount Healthy (Skyline Bowl @ U.C.) 8:30

Sept. 5 at Dixie Heights 7:00

Sept. 12 vs. Holy Cross (at Holmes) 7:00

Sept. 19 Franklin County 7:30

Sept. 26 Holmes 7:30

Oct. 4 (Saturday) at Covington Catholic 1:00

Oct. 10 Bellevue 7:30

Oct. 17 at Dayton 7:00

Oct. 24 at Ludlow 7:30

Oct. 31 vs. Newport Catholic (at Newport Public) 7:00

Beechwood has a lot of talent returning. But it is talent from a team that wasn't that great by Beechwood standards. We will find out soon if the off season work takes the players up a notch on the field. Scrimmages will be here soon.

Great preview and pivotal season for the Tigers.

I saw multiple Beechwood games last season. I really felt they were a year away last year. I even saw some promise in the Covcath loss.

Mt. Healthy game should be a good one. Where is that being played at since it will not be at Nippert Stadium? Dixie and CovCath will be good tests too. Halloween with NCC. Tigers should be ready for post season even without much to get them ready in District play.

Thank you to Ram for posting the preview for me. I appreciate the help.

 

Good luck to the Tigers in 2014. I am looking forward to the season.

Mt. Healthy game should be a good one. Where is that being played at since it will not be at Nippert Stadium?

My guess is the same place they had it last year, the field that during the winter has the bubble.

My guess is the same place they had it last year, the field that during the winter has the bubble.

 

Correct. Sheakley Athletic Center......on campus.

Great preview. Look forward to hearing more about BW as through out the season.

"SOLID" preview Eye. :ylsuper:

Great preview and pivotal season for the Tigers.

 

I'm curious, why do you consider it pivotal?

I'm curious, why do you consider it pivotal?

 

That's a very good question. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe it's the last shot at Mayfield before they move up to 2A to make a statement that BW does belong in the same discussion as the Cards. Maybe the baseball standouts will consider not playing football their Senior year and this is the last shot with them. Maybe the drought of a state championship has taken its toll and the coaching staff is on the hot seat? Those were the low hanging fruit for me.

That's a very good question. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe it's the last shot at Mayfield before they move up to 2A to make a statement that BW does belong in the same discussion as the Cards. Maybe the baseball standouts will consider not playing football their Senior year and this is the last shot with them. Maybe the drought of a state championship has taken its toll and the coaching staff is on the hot seat? Those were the low hanging fruit for me.

 

All good points and I don't know if any of them are low hanging fruit. In short, these are not your big brother's Tigers and sooner or later something has to give.

All good points and I don't know if any of them are low hanging fruit. In short, these are not your big brother's Tigers and sooner or later something has to give.

 

We go through this debate every year. My point is always this - "your big brother's Tigers" ended in 1999, long before Coach Rash became the head coach. That era is over and not going to be repeated at a 1A school ever again by anyone.

 

From 2000-2005 under Yeagle, the Tigers won one title. From 2006-now, Rash has won 2. From 1999-2005, the Tigers lost in the playoffs in round 2 in 2000, round 3 in 2001 and round 2 in 2005. Last year was the first time Rash has not made it to the final four (I know, I know .... 4 classes vs. 6 but those are the facts). As you can see, I can make a very good argument that Rash's Tigers have actually been an improvement from the 2000-2005 Tigers.

 

Bottom line - the 1990's were an incredible, magical time. That era ended in 1999. Remember it with joy and pride because it isn't happening again. Let's not have selective memory and forget 2000-2005.

We go through this debate every year. My point is always this - "your big brother's Tigers" ended in 1999, long before Coach Rash became the head coach. That era is over and not going to be repeated at a 1A school ever again by anyone.

 

From 2000-2005 under Yeagle, the Tigers won one title. From 2006-now, Rash has won 2. From 1999-2005, the Tigers lost in the playoffs in round 2 in 2000, round 3 in 2001 and round 2 in 2005. Last year was the first time Rash has not made it to the final four (I know, I know .... 4 classes vs. 6 but those are the facts). As you can see, I can make a very good argument that Rash's Tigers have actually been an improvement from the 2000-2005 Tigers.

 

Bottom line - the 1990's were an incredible, magical time. That era ended in 1999. Remember it with joy and pride because it isn't happening again. Let's not have selective memory and forget 2000-2005.

 

I don't have selective memory, you are failing to put it in context.

 

Beechwood was great when Coach Yeagle was great. When Coach Yeagle started battling health issues the Tigers took a big step back.

 

Then Coach Rash came aboard and won a couple but it was largely still Coach Yeagle's program. After the dust settled from the coaching change the Tigers are MIA and this is including going from 4 classes to 6 and Newport Central Catholic being 2A. Both of those facts make it much easier for Coach Rash than it was for Coach Yeagle.