A bit of the luster has come off this one as Simon Kenton suffered their first loss in their previous game versus 5A #5 Southwestern, 34-19. In addition the Pioneers lost their 4 year starting QB Chase Crone to injury. It remains to be seen whether he will play in this week's game. Nevertheless, this shapes up as one of the state's top games this week with 2A #1 Beechwood hosting Simon Kenton at 7:30 pm Friday evening.

Simon Kenton started the year 2-0 behind QB Crone and worked their way into the 6A top ten. Southwestern took both of those away from Simon Kenton. The difference in Simon Kenton without Crone was big. Crone is not only Simon Kenton's starting QB, he also is their leading rusher. Let's pray for a speedy recovery. Last year Simon Kenton lost to the Tigers 49-21 and Crone accounted for all three Pioneer TD's. If Crone cannot play, Simon Kenton will turn to their freshman QB Tucker Ober. The defense features one of the top LB's in N. Ky in Josh Bowling.

Beechwood has played all season with their own freshman QB Cash Harney following the injury to starting QB Clay Hayden. Harney has done a very good job going 28/37, 423 yards with 6 TD's against only 1 INT. That is an excellent start to his high school football career. Harney has been aided by the ever present offensive threat of RB Mitchell Berger. Berger has carried the offense early in games. He has rushed for 531 yards on 52 carries, averaging just over 10 yards per carry with 9 TD's. The biggest force in Beechwood's 3-0 start has once again been their defense. The Tigers first team has not allowed a point and I believe has allowed a total of fewer than 10 first downs in their first three games combined. Berger is also a top LB and leads the defense along with standout junior defensive end Xavier Campbell, who already has 5.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in the first three games.

How do you see this game playing out? 

SK has options at qb if Crone can't play Friday.

Beechwood, with or without Crone.  With, 42-14, without 42-7.   Simon Kenton will still have the same leaky defense no matter who plays quarterback. 

I think Beechwood wins. SK defense will struggle to stop Beechwood offensively and if Crone remains out, that will be another big factor. Hopefully it’s a good game, good luck to both teams.

Gimme the Tigers by 14+. Defense is the real deal, and with or without Crone, I don’t see them being the team that breaks them down. Last years defense allowed I think 1 touchdown on the first team in this game last year. I expect the same thing to happen in this game. 

Feeling like a running clock game, but I think SK will find a way to keep it respectable. 37-3 Tigers.

Shocking to me that a 6A school with a roster as massive as SK’s doesn’t have a sophomore, junior or senior prepped to be the backup QB in the event of a Crone injury.

I know from what I’ve heard Ober is talented and the staff has clearly identified him as the heir apparent…but if Crone is indeed out, that’s an awful big ask for a freshman to make his starting debut against a defense like Beechwood. 

With Crone - Beechwood 42, SK 14

Without Crone - Beechwood 49, SK 0 

Running clock with or without Crone. Beechwood has the horses and the defense to slow down SK, what was it under 8 PPG average last year and only have added to that? Now without Crone good luck, SW having over 300 rushing yards does not bode well at all for the Pioneers. You have potential Mr.Football and arguably the best back in the state, then they sprinkle in the athleticism of Robinson, it’s truly thunder and lightning.

Beechwood is a very deep program with lots of key players who never make the news!!

You can listen to this game on Beechwood radio as always.  Beechwood is gracious enough to also allow (859) Sports Radio to broadcast with audio and video stream and we are very grateful to be able to do that.

1 minute ago, 859Radio said:

You can listen to this game on Beechwood radio as always.  Beechwood is gracious enough to also allow (859) Sports Radio to broadcast with audio and video stream and we are very grateful to be able to do that.

Fantastic!

I’ll take Beechwood. Something around 49-7. 

Beechwood has better defense so Beechwood wins.

This is going to be close than people think. SK will step up to the challenge. Tigers 30-14.

4 minutes ago, Glider said:

This is going to be close than people think. SK will step up to the challenge. Tigers 30-14.

I would say most people think you have a pretty good score prediction. Maybe 35-7 with the 7 coming against Beechwood's second team.