Final per the update thread.

I mean, I guess this is the best fight against Beechwood so far by their district opponents?

15 minutes ago, DanvilleFan said:

I mean, I guess this is the best fight against Beechwood so far by their district opponents?

Bracken County is running clock better than the other teams in their district and they did play Beechwood somewhat respectable. 

Just now, theguru said:

Bracken County is running clock better than the other teams in their district and they did play Beechwood somewhat respectable. 

Polar Bear program has come a long way in the last few years.  No longer a total district pushover.  Decent tune-up for the Tigers.

Bracken County had a great opening drive to go up 7-0 to start the game.  Beechwood returned the kickoff for a touchdown.  Their plan was to kick every ball out of bounds and take the penalty, but they missed on it.  It killed the momentum for them. 

Bracken gained some of it back after keeping Beechwood to a field goal, making it 10-7.  When Beechwood got the ball back, Bracken intercepted a pass.  Bracken had trouble on offense again, and Beechwood got the ball with 1:00 min left until halftime, and they scored in 45 seconds  

It was 17-7 at the half.  In the second half Bracken got worn down and was very undisciplined.  I figured it would be close at the half and they would fall off in the second half.  Pretty much all their starters played both sides all night.  

The low point was getting a 51 yard pass to make it first and goal late in the fourth down 31-7, then the very next play throwing an interception in the end zone at first and goal.  Daulton Tarter was grinding out every yard and got them two first downs that drive.  

Bracken was definitely overmatched on speed.  So they should have run the ball with Tarter who in my opinion the best running back on the field, eat the clock, and keep it out of Beechwood’s hands.  

Hope you enjoyed the trip to Brooksville @BWTigers.  Any stats for both teams?

It was a grind all night for Beechwood. Bracken County has a good team and will be a tough out in the playoffs. I could see them upsetting Somerset in round 2. If the Polar Bears make that happen, they could be in the final four. They have a good group of players and are well coached. If they could develop more of a passing game, they would be even tougher.

The Polar Bears came out and drove straight down the field for a score on their opening drive. The rust of not facing a fast physical team for several weeks showed on the Tigers. Once Beechwood got into the speed of the game, they slowly took over the game. It was 10-7 Tigers when they scored a TD with 25 seconds left in the first half. That made it 17-7 at halftime. Beechwood had the ball first in the second half and went right down the field to score. That made it 24-7 and the Tigers were in control from there. 

Nothing was easy for Beechwood. Good challenge and the challenge was met by the Tigers.

Polar Bears vs. Briar Jumpers would be a fun game in the second round. 

Just now, brooksville said:

Polar Bears vs. Briar Jumpers would be a fun game in the second round. 

It's going to happen. And it might be at the Igloo.

Congratulations to Clay Hayden. He's knocked some NKY giants down a spot on his way up the list.

 

3 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

Polar Bear program has come a long way in the last few years.  No longer a total district pushover.  Decent tune-up for the Tigers.

I agree, Bracken County football is far from what it was. 

When is the last time that Beechwood didn’t put a running clock on a district opponent?

Hand up here, I was wrong. No running clock this game. Good for Beechwood to get to keep their guys in for more than a half and great for Bracken to be the only team in the district to score a TD on BW.

Beechwood coaches, WHY HAS THE PLAY CALLING CHANGED FROM LAST YEAR?! You have one of the best QBs in the state and one of the best WR rooms with the most speed in the state and we just let Chase get beat up between the tackles all year. I even think Chase is at his best when we throw swing passes to him to get him into open field. Clay should have 300 passing yards every single game. This team is so talented and if they don’t win state, it’ll be because we aren't playing to our strengths.. 

Load the box on D, throw the ball on offense.. seems easy enough.

1 hour ago, RememberTheTigers24 said:

Beechwood coaches, WHY HAS THE PLAY CALLING CHANGED FROM LAST YEAR?! You have one of the best QBs in the state and one of the best WR rooms with the most speed in the state and we just let Chase get beat up between the tackles all year. I even think Chase is at his best when we throw swing passes to him to get him into open field. Clay should have 300 passing yards every single game. This team is so talented and if they don’t win state, it’ll be because we aren't playing to our strengths.. 

Load the box on D, throw the ball on offense.. seems easy enough.

Maybe they've known that each of the last five weeks were sure wins and they've not put all their plays on film? This team won't see a real challenge until maybe the third playoff game, but likely not until the semifinals against someone like Owensboro Catholic, Mayfield, or LCA. Perhaps they've kept a few arrows in the quiver for November?