Dixie Heights at Beechwood Predictions/Updates

[Voice of Reason]

Beechwood's closest Dixie Highway rival, the Dixie Heights Colonels, makes the less than 2 mile trip north to visit the Tigers, kickoff as always at Beechwood at 7:30 pm. It will be very difficult for this game to match last year's 49-48 win by Beechwood in overtime. The Colonels went for the win in their overtime possession and were stopped just short of the goal line. The Colonels racked up almost 400 yards rushing in last year's game and they wll almost certainly bring that game plan with them to Ft. Mitchell this Friday night.

The Tigers enter this game at 2-0 with wins over 5A Pulaski County and 6A Campbell County. Both of those games were hard fought close battles into the 4th quarter. It took a last minute touchdown pass for Beechwood to get the win in Corbin against Pulaski County. Acknowledging the Tigers are playing much larger  schools and it is early in the season, the heralded Beechwood offense has struggled a little to find consistency. The strongest part of the Beechwood offense to date has not been the outstanding and experienced skill players, it has been the stout play of the Tigers offensive line. Be it in the Tigers running game opening holes for RB Chase Flaherty or protecting QB Clay Hayden, this Tigers offensive line is looking very good. 

The Dixie Heights Colonels got their first win of the year last Friday against Cincinnati Hughes after losing in game one to the Simon Kenton Pioneers. The Colonels have scored 35 and 66 points in their first two games so the Tigers defense has a big challenge in front of them, especially considering the 48 points the Colonels scored on Beechwood last year. Last year's QB Armani Gregg has moved to RB this year and he is a load carrying the ball. 

This game shapes up as another high scoring battle. Can the Colonels break the Tigers 3 game winning streak and get the win at Beechwood?

[Oldercoach]

Very early so I expect a little shaky defense to solidify with a few games under their belt.  At least it better quickly with a 3 game “big boy” stretch up next….Dixie..Simon Kenton…CovCath.  Anybody know Fryman’s injury status?  In-game announcers thought it might be a collar bone injury.

[New Colonel]

I expect Beechwood to win.  They have too many offensive weapons and better coaching. 

I expect another high scoring affair like last year, which was one of the most entertaining football games I've seen in years.  For Dixie to have a chance at a win, they have to make Beechwood 1 dimensional and make the Tigers run the ball.  Don't let the Tigers Receivers run wild.

But I think Beechwood's passing attack opens up on Friday night.

[Hard Work]

Tigers will have to beat themselves this year to lose! I don’t see it happening this week! Give me Beechwood! 

[Cousin Chris]

I told you earlier VOR that this Beechwood offensive line is bigger, more athletic and more experienced than any line they have had in years.  I expect Hayden and his receivers to start clicking very soon and when they do they are going to be very difficult to defend.  

[Voice of Reason]

3 hours ago, Cousin Chris said:

I told you earlier VOR that this Beechwood offensive line is bigger, more athletic and more experienced than any line they have had in years.  I expect Hayden and his receivers to start clicking very soon and when they do they are going to be very difficult to defend.  

I don't think I doubted you on that, did I?

[Cousin Chris]

No VOR I think you and I were singing from the same hymnal but there was some doubters out there.  I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself because these next 3 games will really show us how good that O line is and I expect that Hayden and the receivers will start to click more efficiently as the season goes on.  I also think Flaherty is underrated as a RB.  Because Hayden and those receivers get a lot of the attention justifiably so, Flaherty has been a little over looked but that kid can run the football.

[nees1212]

On 9/1/2024 at 7:44 AM, Oldercoach said:

Very early so I expect a little shaky defense to solidify with a few games under their belt.  At least it better quickly with a 3 game “big boy” stretch up next….Dixie..Simon Kenton…CovCath.  Anybody know Fryman’s injury status?  In-game announcers thought it might be a collar bone injury.

Out 6 to 8 weeks with broken collar bone.

[Cousin Chris]

At least they will have him back for the playoffs.

[MaddenCurse44]

32 minutes ago, nees1212 said:

Out 6 to 8 weeks with broken collar bone.

That is terrible prayers to him hope for a full recovery. 

[Oldercoach]

9 hours ago, Cousin Chris said:

At least they will have him back for the playoffs.

That is a big loss on both sides.  Perhaps the next man-up opportunity will turn out positively building more depth.  But, the next three games will be tougher than some might be thinking.

[Cousin Chris]

Yes the next 3 games are going to be really tough games.  All 3 are big teams who like to run the ball and Beechwood has struggled against the run in both games so far.  The Pabst kid came in and played really well on defense so hopefully he can continue to play well but let’s face it’s going to be really difficult to replace Fryman on offense and defense.  The silver lining is Fryman should be back in 6-8 weeks and with the district games they have it should give them plenty of time to get him back in football shape by the playoffs.

[Voice of Reason]

Dixie is averaging about 370 yards a game rushing. Can Beechwood keep Dixie's rushing offense under control?

[theguru]

2 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Dixie is averaging about 370 yards a game rushing. Can Beechwood keep Dixie's rushing offense under control?

I am thinking not and Beechwood will have to out score Dixie. 

[Cousin Chris]

Beechwood should get out of that 3 man front and go with 4 down linemen.  They did it against Pulaski after the first TD drive and they were much more successful the rest of the game. Gregg is a big kid so they need to get bigger up front.  You can even walk Flaherty up from safety into the box if they are getting hurt by the run.