Here we go again. This has been the regional final matchup 7 of the 8 years in the 6 class era. It should be a good one. Both of these teams return most of their teams from last year when Frankfort finally got their first win against Beechwood. Both teams appear to be playing very well and have won their first two playoff games easily, with both beating a solid second round opponent handily. These two teams have been ranked in the top of 1A all season. Here are the team's records and their recent playoff history:

 

Frankfort (10-2)

 

Aug 22, 14 at Lincoln County ..........34-14 (W)

Sep 5, 14 at Shelby County ..........42-19 (W)

Sep 12, 14 at Franklin County .........13-22 (L)

Sep 19, 14 Western Hills ................46-22 (W)

Sep 26, 14 Lexington Christian ........47-27 (W)

Oct 3, 14 at First Baptist Academy Naples, FL ...12-41 (L)

Oct 10, 14 at Paris .......................28-6 (W)

Oct 17, 14 at Bracken County ........64-6 (W)

Oct 24, 14 Eminence ....................73-0 (W)

Oct 31, 14 Danville ......................36-21 (W)

Nov 7, 14 Dayton .......................48-0 (W)

Nov 14, 14 Bellevue ......................50-12 (W)

 

 

Beechwood (10-2)

 

Aug 30, 14 Mt. Healthy, OH at Sheakley Field, UC .....34-40 (L)

Sep 5, 14 at Dixie Heights .........21-48 (L)

Sep 12, 14 at Holy Cross (Covington) ....58-0 (W)

Sep 19, 14 Franklin County ...........42-13 (W)

Sep 26, 14 Holmes ......................49-7 (W)

Oct 4, 14 at Covington Catholic ...28-13 (W)

Oct 10, 14 Bellevue .....................41-18 (W)

Oct 17, 14 at Dayton ...................62-0 (W)

Oct 24, 14 at Ludlow....................41-7 (W)

Oct 31, 14 at Newport Central Catholic ...30-13 (W)

Nov 7, 14 Bracken County ............62-0 (W)

Nov 14, 14 Paris .......................... 51-0 (W)

 

Recent Playoff History

 

2007 Beechwood 49 Frankfort 17

2008 Beechwood 42 Frankfort 14

2010 Beechwood 56 Frankfort 13

2011 Beechwood 51 Frankfort 19

2012 Beechwood 35 Frankfort 13

2013 Frankfort 35 Beechwood 21

 

It should be a good one. Who are you picking?

BHS by 24

Coach Buckett please add in your preview thoughts. You always do a good job on the Frankfort threads.

The thing about this game is the matchup. Last year, Frankfort had the right type of team to beat Beechwood. The Tigers had trouble stopping powerful running teams all year last year and that is what Frankfort did to Beechwood - ran right over them. I don't think that will work this year but you never know for sure till you get on the field and go toe to toe. Regardless of what past scores show, this is always a very tough, hard fought game. In the years that Beechwood has won, the games are usually close at halftime and the the Tigers pull away as the game goes on. I see it being that type of game this year.

Before injuries I liked Frankfort. Now I like Beechwood because they are playing good football right now and peaked at the right time. It wouldn't surprise me if Frankfort wins but I do know its going to be a battle..

Before injuries I liked Frankfort. Now I like Beechwood because they are playing good football right now and peaked at the right time. It wouldn't surprise me if Frankfort wins but I do know its going to be a battle..

 

Yes, it sounds like Frankfort has had a couple more key injuries than Beechwood. But let's not forget the Tigers lost a team captain and leader to a season ending injury also - Jack Talley. I don't know how important the players Frankfort lost are. I know one of them was a key player like Talley. Ironically, both those key players had an ACL earlier in their careers then suffered a second ACL injury to their other knee that cost them their senior seasons.

Yes, it sounds like Frankfort has had a couple more key injuries than Beechwood. But let's not forget the Tigers lost a team captain and leader to a season ending injury also - Jack Talley. I don't know how important the players Frankfort lost are. I know one of them was a key player like Talley. Ironically, both those key players had an ACL earlier in their careers then suffered a second ACL injury to their other knee that cost them their senior seasons.

 

No offense to Jack, but I think The Tigers have overcome that loss. Finke was a beast last night.

 

I think this game will be like the 2012 and before games. Tight first half and then Tigers pull away. Last year was not just defensive issue. Injuries lead to stupid predictable play calling. This year, I see no answer for Slusher, Stokes or Stringer on offense.

Frankfort has had a difficult season this year dealing with many different injuries. But the Panthers have over come each week. The Panthers over the last 3 weeks have been as healthy as they will ever be. Enough about injuries because there are no excuses this week. Either the Panthers are good enough to compete or not.

 

Frankfort has started to play some of their best football at the right time because if the want to win at Beechwood they will need to play their best.

 

Last year is over and these two teams are not the same teams from last year. Beechwood is a more physical team. Frankfort on the other hand doesn’t have the depth they had last season.

What I expect from the Tigers is power football. They will line up in their 2 and 3 back sets and work to wear the Panthers down. Frankfort can’t fall asleep and allow Stokes to catch the ball out of the backfield that turn into big plays. (BTW someone check Stokes birth certificate seems like he has been around for a decade) The Tigers are good at playing field position game. Frankfort has to make Beechwood have long drives. I have seen the Tigers put the ball on the ground or have some costly penalties during long drives.

 

This Panther team will not line up and run at the Tigers like last season. The Panthers will try to use different ways to get the ball into the hands of their speedy guys. But it is no secret Panthers want the ball in Jalen Washington’s hands. As he goes the Panthers will go. The Panthers QB has played well last two weeks in throwing the football with better accuracy.

 

What I like about the Panthers they no longer think they can beat the Tigers. They know they can and that is half the battle. It all comes down to if the Panthers can handle the ground and pound of the Tigers.

 

Like everyone says this is always a battle and some of the scores in the past don’t give the true game justice of how the game was played. I would advise everyone not to use Franklin County as a measurement for this game. Yes the Panthers and Flyers are a rival game. But the Panthers put far more into playing the Tigers. Rivals games are fun but Regional Titles are what motivate the Panthers.

 

The Tigers should know that the Panthers are coming and will get after them from the National Anthem to the Benediction.

 

The Panthers may not knock of the 28 point favorite, but they sure will make the Tigers earn it.

Y

No offense to Jack, but I think The Tigers have overcome that loss. Finke was a beast last night.

 

I think this game will be like the 2012 and before games. Tight first half and then Tigers pull away. Last year was not just defensive issue. Injuries lead to stupid predictable play calling. This year, I see no answer for Slusher, Stokes or Stringer on offense.

 

Tigers line is big. 6'5, 6'4, 5'10, 6'3, and 6'5 left to right. They are very physical. Missed last night, but stats confirm my thoughts that Stringer is playing as he was expected to play. No longer looking to hit the home run, playing how a 6'2 190 lb RB should run in HS. Also adds that speed element. he seems to be 4 yards down field before first contact. Add the Fact that Fieger can hurt you bad with his arm, they are clicking. Stokes looks like a college football player to me, what a weapon. All the praise on Slusher in deserved, another burner.

Frankfort has had a difficult season this year dealing with many different injuries. But the Panthers have over come each week. The Panthers over the last 3 weeks have been as healthy as they will ever be. Enough about injuries because there are no excuses this week. Either the Panthers are good enough to compete or not.

 

Frankfort has started to play some of their best football at the right time because if the want to win at Beechwood they will need to play their best.

 

Last year is over and these two teams are not the same teams from last year. Beechwood is a more physical team. Frankfort on the other hand doesn’t have the depth they had last season.

What I expect from the Tigers is power football. They will line up in their 2 and 3 back sets and work to wear the Panthers down. Frankfort can’t fall asleep and allow Stokes to catch the ball out of the backfield that turn into big plays. (BTW someone check Stokes birth certificate seems like he has been around for a decade) The Tigers are good at playing field position game. Frankfort has to make Beechwood have long drives. I have seen the Tigers put the ball on the ground or have some costly penalties during long drives.

 

This Panther team will not line up and run at the Tigers like last season. The Panthers will try to use different ways to get the ball into the hands of their speedy guys. But it is no secret Panthers want the ball in Jalen Washington’s hands. As he goes the Panthers will go. The Panthers QB has played well last two weeks in throwing the football with better accuracy.

 

What I like about the Panthers they no longer think they can beat the Tigers. They know they can and that is half the battle. It all comes down to if the Panthers can handle the ground and pound of the Tigers.

 

Like everyone says this is always a battle and some of the scores in the past don’t give the true game justice of how the game was played. I would advise everyone not to use Franklin County as a measurement for this game. Yes the Panthers and Flyers are a rival game. But the Panthers put far more into playing the Tigers. Rivals games are fun but Regional Titles are what motivate the Panthers.

 

The Tigers should know that the Panthers are coming and will get after them from the National Anthem to the Benediction.

 

The Panthers may not knock of the 28 point favorite, but they sure will make the Tigers earn it.

 

Stokes is 24. After being let go go from the Bengals practice squad he returned to BW to finish out his HS eligibility. Just kidding. He does seem like he has been around for awhile. I had the same feeling when Jonathan Jackson played for Mayfield.

I think BW takes this one with a similiar score of the 2012 game.

Stokes is 24. After being let go go from the Bengals practice squad he returned to BW to finish out his HS eligibility. Just kidding. He does seem like he has been around for awhile. I had the same feeling when Jonathan Jackson played for Mayfield.

 

Yes the type of players you hate to face but enjoy to watch!

Beechwood looks very good and wins.

Frankfort 35 - Beechwood 28

Beechwood by 21. I think Beechwood is for real.