In Florence, waiting for the rest of the Cardinal army to invade the Fort tomorrow night. Not long now. Cardinals win in OT 31-28.

Team is in Louisville. Arrived a few hours ago...ate....chilling in the ville.....Ready to get this done.

Yeah....I don't think Mayfield will have a foe quite like this. It's not just this game but most of the time it's during the season...both groups taking little jabs here and there and then a hotly contested matchup.

 

We will be here to converse with

Game Preview

 

It is game day. The curtain opens for the final time on this long distance playoff rivalry tonight in Ft. Mitchell. Mayfield looks to add another win to their perfect 6-0 record against Beechwood. The Tigers have been working for 5 years to put together the team and game plan that can finally defeat their nemesis, a team that neither Coach Yeagle nor Coach Rash have been able to defeat in their combined 20+ year 10 state championship era of success (footnote - Beechwood's first championship team was coached by Bernie Barre). Both teams come into this contest with 11 game winning streaks against tough schedules, featuring wins over ranked teams in higher level classes. Both teams have opponents on their schedule still playing in the final four in their ranked classes. Regardless of enrollment, this game will be football at its high school best between two of the top football programs in the state displaying great talent, skill and coaching on both sidelines.

 

Mayfield once again has their formula cooking up a state title brew. Anyone who has seen Mayfield over the past few years knows what to expect. All that has changed is the players inside the uniform. The Cardinals have a well coached offensive line led by a D1 talent in senior #65 Kel Carman, 6'3" 300. Carman is not only big but he has good feet. He leads the way from his right guard position on the line. The rest of the line has good size and has matured into the very good Mayfield line that you know you will face when you play the Cardinals. Sophomore QB #3 Landon Arnett has picked up the system and had an excellent season in his first year as starter. He has 1,659 yards passing, 21 TD's and just four interceptions. He executes the Mayfield spread offense well, hitting the key quick bubble pass, slant and curl patterns that make it difficult to get pressure on the Mayfield QB. Then he will throw it long and go for the big play down the sideline. Arnett is not big and his arm is not powerful but he is accurate and makes good decisions. He does not run the ball very often. Arnett's top target is #19 Jr. Lane Kennemore who is a threat with the run after catch every time he gets it. However, the key to the Mayfield offense is sophomore RB #22 Trajon Bright, 5' 8" 155. Bright has superior speed and is a dangerous breakaway threat on every play. Bright has run for over 1,800 yards and scored 29 TD's. The Beechwood fans will need to hold their breath every time Bright touches the ball until the Tiger defense can corral him and bring him down. Bright is not a power runner, although he has the strength to break tackles if you don't wrap him up. He has quick feet, makes the quick decision and cut and then he is gone.

 

Despite all the offensive fire power, the most impressive part of this Mayfield team is their defense. Mayfield always has great defensive teams. Coach Morris runs a gap defense and every player knows his job and executes. The Mayfield defense has very good speed and pursues the ball well. Against a very tough schedule, this defense has allowed only 10 points per game. They shut out 5A Graves County, who beat 5A powerhouse Bowling Green last week. They held one of the top 5 teams in 2A Caldwell County to 12 points. This is a Caldwell County team that averaged over 50 points a game with perhaps the #1 QB in the state. Mayfield's defense is great even by Mayfield standards. Kel Carman goes both ways and leads the defensive line from right DT. The linebackers are active tackling machines with good size and better speed. DE #7 Tim McCampbell, 6' 3" 235, is a playmaker. This defense is the biggest obstacle in this game for Beechwood.

 

Beechwood comes into the game confident and eager to make this last opportunity count against Mayfield (Mayfield moves to 2A next year). The Tigers have added a potent passing attack to their always strong running game to become more balanced and make it more difficult for the stingy Mayfield defense. The biggest improvement for Beechwood this year is up front. This offensive line is bigger, stronger and more experienced. They have powered their way through 11 straight opponents, often lining up in obvious running formations and just saying stop us if you can. Last week versus a very talented Frankfort team, the Tigers ran the ball through them even when the Panthers put 9 players in the box. The line includes Jr. LT #59 Brayden Combs 6' 5" 230; Jr. LG #50 Justin Overstreet, 6' 4" 260; Sr. C #79 Jackson Mahorney 5' 10" 230; Sr. RG #74 Jake Etler 6' 3" 250; and Sr. RT #57 Chase Bright 6' 4" 225. Behind that big, powerful line leading the Tiger offense is Jr. QB #12 Kyle Fieger. Fieger took over the Tiger offense in the playoffs of his freshman season, throwing 5 TD passes in his first start as a varsity starter. He has not slowed down since that game. He has thrown for more than 1,600 yards with 21 TD's and only 2 interceptions all year. Fieger is experienced, smart and has a strong arm that can make any throw on the field. Fieger has several key targets at WR. The top targets are Jr. WR #14 Brett Slusher and Sr. #6 Jeremy Burns. Slusher has over 500 yards receiving, has excellent hands and is a clutch receiver that makes tough catches. Burns is a speedster who is super quick and also perhaps the fastest player on the team. Both these receivers will make tacklers miss and then have the speed to take it the distance. The Tiger backfield is a three headed monster that is a nightmare for defenses. Jr. #20 Ethan Stringer is a 6'2" 190 pounder who has speed to burn. Stringer has over 1,000 yards rushing and has become a very hard running back. Sr. #7 Jonathon Stokes is a flex back who will line up at full back or move out to the slot as a receiver. Stokes is tough to bring down, may have the best hands on the team and has nice speed. The toughest runner on this team though is #37 Joe Studer, a 5'8" 160 tough as nails player. He will not shy away from contact and is surprisingly powerful. Studer's best attribute though is he knows how to read his blockers and make the perfect cut at the perfect time.

 

Like Mayfield, as good as the offense has been, the defense has been even better. Since their two opening losses versus powerful big school opponents, the Beechwood defense has racked up four shutouts. The first team defense has allowed only 7 TD's in the last 11 games. Leading the way up front is 3 year starter Sr. #55 Riley McKown, 6' 2" 250. McKown is one of the strongest players on the team but his speed at DT is even more impressive. He often makes plays far outside the tackles as he pursues plays. MLB Sr. #31 Bret Finck is a 237 pound run stuffer in the middle. Sr. #24 Casey Erdman is a fast OLB. A player to watch on defense is Slusher from his LB position. He has a knack of making big plays at key moments in the game. Stokes and Combs are tough at DE and Sr. #84 Logan Bright has come on strong in his senior year at DE.

 

Her are some key matchups and things to watch:

 

Mayfield's Carman RG versus BW's McKown - If you like line play, watch this battle. It will be worth the price of admission by itself.

 

Carman at DT vs. BW's LG Justin Overstreet - Same as above. Two big strong, tough linemen going toe to toe.

 

BW WR's Slusher, Burns and Grant Plageman versus the Mayfield DB's - Beechwood has developed a very good passing game in an effort to balance the offense and make it difficult for Mayfield's defense. This will likely be one of the key matchups in the game.

 

Mayfield's Arnett versus the BW defense - This is the first time Arnett has played in this game. When his predecessor Guhy faced BW for the first time as a sophomore, the Tigers picked off 3 passes. If that happens to Arnett, the Cardinals will have a tough time overcoming it against this BW team.

 

BW defense versus Mayfield's Bright - BW cannot allow Bright to make the big play. Easier said than done. If Bright breaks off a couple long TD runs, BW will be in trouble versus a very strong Mayfield defense.

 

This game shapes up as a fitting end to a great series between these two programs. Game time is 7:30 at Beechwood. The temperature is expected to stay above freezing. Come out and watch a classic football playoff game.

Safe travels to all the Mayfield fans. Looking forward to another great game tonight, but hopefully a new result.

 

It is always fun seeing how these teams actually match up when they get on the field. You can look at stats and highlight clips all you want but sometimes the result is different than expected when the players go at it on the field. When it is all said and done, it comes down to the players on the field making it happen. Good luck Tigers!!

Honestly, after reading that write up on the game, these 2 appear to be mirror images of each other.. Even the QBs #s are almost even..

Beechwood by 7. Should be a dandy.

I've been waiting and thinking about my prediction. I'm going with Mayfield 20-17

Go Tigers! Get that monkey off your back tonight and go win a state championship next week.

The pressures squarely on the Tigers shoulders as they attempt to get that monkey off there backs. That could play into there favor or it could play into Mayfield's favor should that pressure be a little too much and they start to press.. One thing I know about this Mayfield team is they aren't going to get too high if they start out strong or get too low if they start out slow.. They'll continue to go about there business and do what they've done to get them to this point..

Sitting in our room at comfort inn in Florence. Just got done eating at Famous Daves BBQ. Good food. Hope to see some of the Beechwood posters. I hope for a well played and great sportsmanship type of game.

I will go with the seniors of BW. This is a very veteran team, all juniors and seniors that are in their second year of starting together, some in year 3. I'm going 35-28 Tigers. Here's to the safety of all these kids, no matter who comes out on top.

I'm making a move, I have not picked Beechwood in the previous. 4 meetings, until now, Beechwood in a close one. 7-9 points or less.

I think Mayfield escapes 17-14.

 

My concern is BW running backs putting the ball on the ground. I also have a concern with the BW secondary. My concern with Mayfield is on the offensives side of the ball.

There's a few no no's everyone needs to know.

 

1) You don't tug on Superman's Cape

2) You don't spit into the wind?

3) You don't pull the mask off that Ole Lone Ranger and you

4) Don't bet against the Cardinals on Black Friday.