We are two games into the season now. Things are starting to take shape. Beechwood travels to Somerset for a 7:30 pm start. The Tigers and Briar Jumpers have played annually since 2015 (except for the COVID year cancellation in 2020). Somerset's only win in the series came in their 2019 state championship season when they put it on the Tigers pretty well, 46-14. The Tigers lead this series 6-1. Both teams enter this year's battle with 2-0 records. It was all Beechwood last year when a second half kickoff return by the Tigers got the running clock started on the way to a 49-0 Beechwood win. 

Last year was an uncharacteristic season for the Briar Jumpers as they struggled through a 2 win season. They have already matched those two wins this year as they look to rebound to form. Somerset is still being led by a young group. Junior Guy Bailey is their bell cow back. He rushed for 1,140 yards last year and is off to a strong start in 2022. Sophomore Josh Bruner gained some starting experience as a freshman QB last year and is the starting QB. In last night's 41-24 win over Russell County, Somerset unleashed another young weapon as Sophomore Kam Hughes rushed for over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns. That diversity of weapons will be important against Beechwood's defense. 

Beechwood has barely skipped a beat from their 2021 undefeated state title season, despite some early season injury obstacles. It is the defense that makes Beechwood the truly formidable team they are. In their first two games Beechwood's starting defense is not measuring itself by points allowed but by the number of first downs allowed. In game one the Tigers only allowed Fairdale one first half first down. In Paintsville's first four possessions last night, they too only gained one first down. That defense has been even more important this year as Beechwood lost their starting QB to injury in their final pre-season scrimmage. That led to the Tigers bringing up their talented freshman QB Cash Harney to start varsity. They have worked Harney into the passing game slowly in their first two games and relied heavily on senior Mr. Everything Mitchell Berger. Berger rushed for 196 yards and 3 TD's in game one and topped that last night. Berger also is one of the Tigers top defenders at LB, their punter and last week kicked a 24 yard field goal. Beechwood also showed off another offensive weapon last night as versatile Antonio Robinson Jr. took offensive snaps at WR and QB. Robinson showed his moves on several shake and bake style runs making tacklers miss across the field as he scored two TD's. WR Liam McCormack has TD catches in both games and is playing outstanding at the safety position.

Can Somerset penetrate the Beechwood defense? That is the key question in this game as it is in most Beechwood games. How do you see this game playing out?

 

Beechwood running clock. This defense seems impenetrable right now. Paintsville’s one touchdown was against the TIgers second team D. Gimme the tigers 42-0

Somerset still has a ways to go.  Their defense has looked pretty solid outside of one quarter against Garrard Country when they had trouble with the Wing T.  Last night against Russell County they played very well considering that they were dealing with 5 turnovers and a lost onside kick.  

I don't expect the offense to be able to do a lot against the Tiger defense, who have the personnel to negate the Jumpers passing game and make them one-dimensional.  I think a repeat of the Paintsville game seems right, 42-7.  

Somerset has a chance to finish 2nd in their district and win 7 games in the regular season if their young players continue to improve.  But Beechwood is just at another level right now. 

All Beechwood.

Beechwood is still Beechwood, but Somerset is not the Somerset of 2019.  They've got some talented players, but not near the level they were at a couple of years ago.  Beechwood with a running clock in this game.

Can someone confirm this is the 14th season Coach Lucas has been at the helm of the Briar Jumpers? KHSAA site has Charles Lucas and Robbie Lucas listed over the last 14 years.

2 hours ago, BrosefStalin said:

Can someone confirm this is the 14th season Coach Lucas has been at the helm of the Briar Jumpers? KHSAA site has Charles Lucas and Robbie Lucas listed over the last 14 years.

Coach Lucas first year was 2009 when he took Somerset to the State Finals after taking over when Jay Cobb resigned shortly before the season.   So this is indeed Coach Lucas 14th season at Somerset. 

First time I saw the Tigers since State title game. So much talent. Berger was Berger, Campbell exploded off the ball on D, Austin Waddell added even more muscle, was very impressed overall. Above all that, I Can’t wait to see freshman Cash Harney continue to grow in the QB role. He looked very, very comfortable Friday night and took great care of the ball running the offense. Will be fun to watch him week over week. 

This will be a chance for Somerset to show some improvement. Beechwood is rolling and hopefully the Bunnies can compete and keep it somewhat interesting. Lace them up tight! 

Beechwood with a running clock.

Beechwood should roll in this one but they have big games against SK and Cov Cath looming. I hope they travel to Somerset ready to play and once again like the previous 2 weeks still interested to see the evolution of the passing game. Hard to beat good teams being one dimensional. Last week Cash played well and I hope he continues to get more comfortable and leads this team to another victory. Mitchell Berger is on another level but I am not sure he can hold up physically taking the beating he takes when he is the main focus. He needs help from others and as the passing game improves so will the help from others around Mitchell. 
Beechwood 42

Somerset 7

Does Somerset Live Stream their home games? 

11 minutes ago, BWTigers said:

Does Somerset Live Stream their home games? 

Somerset Athletics on Youtube should stream it.

To all of our NKY friends, it's game day and Welcome to the Briar Patch!!!

15 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

To all of our NKY friends, it's game day and Welcome to the Briar Patch!!!

Beautiful field!