Looks like it was a great game. Anyone know the total yardage for both teams?

 

Per the scoreboard from Russellville stats, Russellville had 299 yards rushing and 57 yards passing for 356 total; and Beechwood had 224 rushing and 125 passing for 349 total. That is a little deceiving on how the game flowed because 121 of Russellville's rushing yards came on 2 runs.

Game report.

 

Beechwood took the opening kickoff and quickly marched to a score. Brett Slusher ran in the game's first TD from about 15 yards out, Mario German added the XP and it was 7-0 Beechwood 4 minutes into the game. Russellville answered even more quickly. Joshua Bigbee showed his quickness as he made a couple cuts and went 58 yards on Russellville's 5th play, XP good and it was 7-7 six minutes in. Beechwood then came right back on a 70 yard drive capped by QB Kyle Fieger running it in from 10 yards out, German XP, 14-7 with 1:13 to go in the 1st quarter.

 

The second quarter continued the trend as Russellville finished a 60 yard drive with their QB Jaylyn McMurry scoring on a 1 yard sneak. Perhaps the biggest play in the game happened on the extra point as Russellville was not able to get off the kick and it was 14-13 with 7:38 to go in the half. Russellville chased that missed extra point the rest of the night. It was looking like a shoot out as neither team's defense was having any success. Beechwood went on a 71 yard drive and Slusher showed he had some speed of his own as he ran around left end to the pylon and no Russellville player could catch him. It was about 20 yards to the left but only 4 yards forward on the TD run for Slusher, German's XP good making it 21-13 with 4:55 to go. On Russellville's next possession though Beechwood's defense showed they were catching on to the wing T and finally a team punted. Beechwood moved the ball quickly across mid field but then a sack and a penalty pushed Beechwood into a 3rd and long so they decided to let the half run out and took their 21-13 lead to the lockerroom.

 

Russellville received the second half kickoff and it didn't take long for lightning to strike again. Bigbee again found a seem on the sweep and turned on the jets. Slusher showed he was the fastest player on the field as he caught Bigbee from 10 yards behind him but as Slusher tackled Bigbee he fell into the end zone with a 63 yard TD run. Russellville went for 2 to try and tie it but Beechwood's defense stopped the try and held onto a 21-19 lead at the 10:42 mark. Russellville's defense then finally made an appearance as they stuffed a Beechwood run that led to Beechwood's first punt of the night. It looked like Russellville had the momentum. However, Beechwood's defense was up to the task and forced a 3 and out punt by Russellville. Beechwood moved the ball from their own 21 picking up 3 first downs but Russellville held again. Another chance for Russellville to get the lead but Beechwood's defense had Russellville figured out and it was another 3 and out. Beechwood started their next drive at their own 35. They again moved the ball using the run with Slusher at tailback. Then Slusher developed a cramp and had to leave the game. The Tigers coaches inserted Aiden Justice for his first run of the night and what a great move. Justice gave Russellville a dose of their own medicine as he showed his cutting ability and speed, and just like Bigbee, he outran everyone for a 38 yard TD run, German XP, 28-19 with just 18 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. It was now a 2 score lead and the Tigers finally looked to have control of the game.

 

Russellville was going nowhere on offense. It was feast or famine as they relied on finding a crease for a long run. Without the long run, they were not having any success. This possession they faced a 4th and 4 at their own 31. They started in punt formation, shifted into their offensive set quickly and tried to draw the Tigers offsides. The disciplined Tigers were having none of that so Russellville called a time out. They then tried for the first and were stuffed by Beechwood. Perhaps it was a little too soon for that from their own 31. Beechwood did not waste the opportunity. A couple minutes later, Slusher ran it in from 6 yards. The XP was just wide left and the score was 34-19 with 9:09 left in the game. It was still a two score game so there was hope for Russellville. They only had 1 first down in their previous 5 possessions going back to the first half with their only offensive success being the long TD run at the start of the half. Now Russellville had to dig deep and find something on offense. They did. Taking possession at their own 37, the Panthers were able to make plays and move the ball for the first time since their late 1st quarter drive that went into the 2nd quarter and got them their second score. With 4:04 to go in the game, Bryson Thomas scored on a 4th and one from the 5 making the score 34-25. An XP kick would make the game a one possession game. However, Russellville's coach tried to go for 2 and it was no good on a bobbled hand off. That sealed the game for Beechwood as they had a two score lead. All they needed to do was recover the onsides kick and run clock - which is what they did. Beechwood ran it every play as Russellville stacked the box. The Tigers picked up one first down as they forced Russellville to use their timeouts, and then punted. The Tigers did a great job covering the punt and dropping the Russellville return man where he received the ball at the 9. There was less than 2 minutes left, no timeouts and Russellville could not get the big play they needed. The clock ran out with Russellville near midfield.

 

Final score - Beechwood 34 Russellville 25

Welcome back to the Finals Beechwood. I don't think Beechwood has played in a title game at WKU yet.

One weird play in this one - the umpire (official in the middle of the field near the line) called pass interference on a play that happened 20 yards behind him. I don't believe I have ever seen an umpire call pass interference.

Congrats Red Cats!!! Will be pulling for you guys in BG or as we call it here, MF East This will be your first visit to BG and you guys will love it.

 

Also am a Russ fan so I hate to see you guys lose

Edited November 28, 201510 yr by Toothpick

I have talked a lot about Beechwood's powerful offense, but in these last two playoff games it looks like the defense has come up very big in getting the victories. They have really come a long way since the start of the season.

Great recap Eye, thanks for providing it.

What a game. Both teams played hard to the finish. Fieger played great having time to throw most of the night. Slusher was awesome on both sides of the ball. Many contributions made by all Tigers. A true team win. The Line on both sides of the ball refused to let down. Overstreet was huge as well as Hermes and Rowe. Sherron and Benson made plays. Benson makes another clutch catch. The blocking on offense was good all night aginst mostly bigger kids. Will determination and "want to" came up big for thw Tigers.

I have talked a lot about Beechwood's powerful offense, but in these last two playoff games it looks like the defense has come up very big in getting the victories. They have really come a long way since the start of the season.

 

They will be tested by Pikeville both on the ground and through the air.