Pulaski County vs. Beechwood Predictions/Updates

[Voice of Reason]

Beechwood and Pulaski County travel to Campbell Field in Corbin to play the opening game in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic, kickoff scheduled for 5:45.

Beechwood finished 2023 with a record of 12-2 and made it to the 2A state semifinals. The Tigers return one of the top offenses in the entire state led by QB Clay Hayden; WR's Luke Erdman, James Cusick and Tyler Fryman; and RB Chase Flaherty.

Pulaski County finished an uncharacteristic 4-8 in 2023, losing in round 2 of the 5A playoffs. New head coach Travis Burns has experienced and productive offensive weapons. RB Kasen Brock rushed for more than 1,400 yards last year as a freshman. JR Zak Anderson is the returning starter at QB and his top target at WR Harris Denmyer had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2023.

This looks like a potentially high scoring battle. How do you see this season opener going?

[Oldercoach]

Beechwood big.  Still feeling bruised by last year’s scheduling fax paus opening with an out of state RPI killer that dictated the 6 hour drive to War Memorial.  Not to take anything away from State Champ Mayfield, but reverse the drive and you probably reverse the outcome.  Great effort and show by both teams.  With BW’s district having 5 teams, perfection against a big boy schedule is going to be needed to generate an RPI and avoid War Memorial again.  Go Tigers.  Stay healthy.

[Warhawk00]

I look for PC to run a very methodical offense to keep the ball away from beechwood. If they can keep it within 10 points, I'd call it a good day for the maroons.

[Voice of Reason]

1 hour ago, Warhawk00 said:

I look for PC to run a very methodical offense to keep the ball away from beechwood. If they can keep it within 10 points, I'd call it a good day for the maroons.

That is the game plan everyone will likely use against Beechwood. Beechwood has more size than usual this year. We'll see if that size leads to better run stuffing on defense. Pulaski County and their young, stud RB will be a good test.

[Carl Spackler]

10 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

Beechwood big.  Still feeling bruised by last year’s scheduling fax paus opening with an out of state RPI killer that dictated the 6 hour drive to War Memorial.  Not to take anything away from State Champ Mayfield, but reverse the drive and you probably reverse the outcome.  Great effort and show by both teams.  With BW’s district having 5 teams, perfection against a big boy schedule is going to be needed to generate an RPI and avoid War Memorial again.  Go Tigers.  Stay healthy.

Did Beechwood take a horse drawn carriage to Mayfield last year?  Drive time from Beechwood to Mayfield is 3'20".   Even in a bus, it shouldn't be more than 4 hours.  

[mcpapa]

40 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

Did Beechwood take a horse drawn carriage to Mayfield last year?  Drive time from Beechwood to Mayfield is 3'20".   Even in a bus, it shouldn't be more than 4 hours.  

320 miles from Fort Mitchell to Mayfield.  Are you driving a black Trans-Am?

[Cousin Chris]

Pulaski is big up front and will probably try to run the ball on beechwood.  They will have to try to control the clock and keep that Beechwood offense off the field because they are very very fast and score with explosive plays early and often.  Pulaski is improved but I’m taking the Tigers by 2-3 TDs in this one.

[Cheese]

Beechwood

[Purple88]

I look for Beechwood to handle this game.  Maybe not the scoreboard, but it should not be in doubt IMO.

I think Pulaski will improve with every game and be a confident team come playoff time.  

[RememberTheTigers24]

On 8/17/2024 at 6:21 PM, Carl Spackler said:

Did Beechwood take a horse drawn carriage to Mayfield last year?  Drive time from Beechwood to Mayfield is 3'20".   Even in a bus, it shouldn't be more than 4 hours.  

Google is available to everyone!

[Unrivaled97]

20 minutes ago, RememberTheTigers24 said:

Google is available to everyone!

So when @Oldercoachsaid 6 hours, he must have taken the Indy, Terre Haute, Carbondale route, which of course, only makes sense.  Who wins here?  Are we playing Price Is Right Rules, because if so, @Carl Spackler wins with his prediction of 3:20.

[BWTigers]

So excited for another year to get started up!!! Beechwood returns so much talent but I can’t wait to see how their O line looks and their Defense looks. Scrimmage games can only tell you so much. With Beechwood’s schedule being big school dominant, like it should be, they will need to hold up against lines with a lot of depth. 
As far as this game goes I am believe Beechwood should win but by how much depends how much the D has grown since last year. At times last year the Tigers struggled to stop teams so that needs to be better this year because if they can with this offense it could be very scary. 

[DevilMayCare]

I'm taking the Tigers with zero hesitation, but I'm more interested in seeing how Pulaski County looks in a full tilt game environment against a championship caliber opponent. I'm super high on the Maroons' potential this year. It's just too soon to expect a win over Beechwood, aka 'the excellence of execution' in Week 1.

[SLINK]

Beechwood 35-14.

[gchs_uk9]

5 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

I'm taking the Tigers with zero hesitation, but I'm more interested in seeing how Pulaski County looks in a full tilt game environment against a championship caliber opponent. I'm super high on the Maroons' potential this year. It's just too soon to expect a win over Beechwood, aka 'the excellence of execution' in Week 1.

I'm 100% in the same boat as you. I think Pulaski will be fine - they always have players, but the new coach makes it a little bit of "wait and see." Burns will do well there, probably sooner than later, but this is a tough opener.