Round 2 of the playoffs brings the Breathitt County Bobcats (6-5) to Ft Mitchell, home of the 17 time state champion Beechwood Tigers (10-1), game time 7:30 pm. The Bobcats made an impressive showing in round 1 as they defeated a hot Walton-Verona team is easy fashion, 56-7. Beechwood sailed past the Danville Admirals 66-0 in their first round game. Beechwood has hosted the Bobcats twice in recent years, winning 42-12 last year and 52-7 in 2020.

Breathitt County has posted four very lopsided wins in a row and is playing at their peak level for the season. On the year, the Bobcats have a very balanced offensive attack that varies based on what is working in that game. They look to prefer running the ball but can attack with their passing game as well. It makes sense that the Bobcats have improved throughout the year as they feature a freshman QB Miles Hollon and a freshman RB Eli Thomas. Thomas is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing, averaging 9 yards per carry. QB Hollon has 1,788 yards passing, 61.8% completion rate, 18 TD's and 7 INT's. Those are excellent stats for those two young men in their freshman seasons. Jr. RB Jayden Gibson adds 627 yards rushing to the Bobcats ground attack. Sr. WR Austin Sperry is ranked as the #4 receiver in 2A with almost 100 yards per game and 7 TD catches in just 7 games. Breathitt County has a potent offense averaging 34 points a game, ranked #7 in 2A in scoring. Breathitt County has faced two high level opponents - Johnson Central and Belfry - and was able to score 35 and 26 points in those two losses. This offense will be a test for Beechwood's defense.

That Beechwood defense has dominated teams since district play started. The Tigers have allowed only one TD in the last 6 games against 2A teams and posted 5 shutouts. In non 2A games, the Tigers defense allowed 28 points per game. Can the Tigers defense continue that 2A defensive streak against a powerful, balanced Breathitt County offense? 

Speaking of balanced offensive attacks, Beechwood has made it a point this year to grow their rushing attack. The passing attack led by record breaking QB Sr. Clay Hayden and his senior receiving weapons James Cusick and Luke Erdman is one of the best in the entire state. The speed of Beechwood's receivers is eye popping. Sophomore Nathan Pabst has made the most of the playing time created by injury to fellow sophomore WR Tyler Fryman. Pabst is another speedy weapon, a member of the relays on Beechwood's state champion track team, and is averaging 22.6 yards per catch. In Friday's round 1 win over Danville, Pabst showed that speed on defense when he returned two interceptions for TD's. Beechwood's focus on growing the rushing attack has paid off with Sr. RB Chase Flaherty over 1,000 yards rushing and averaging 101 yards per game, with 14 TD's.

Breathitt County is playing very well. Three weeks ago Bracken County came out and challenged the Tigers, taking an early lead and making Beechwood work for everything they got. Breathitt County is capable of doing the same. Can the Bobcats challenge the Tigers? How do you see this game going?

5 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

Round 2 of the playoffs brings the Breathitt County Bobcats (6-5) to Ft Mitchell, home of the 17 time state champion Beechwood Tigers (10-1), game time 7:30 pm. The Bobcats made an impressive showing in round 1 as they defeated a hot Walton-Verona team is easy fashion, 56-7. Beechwood sailed past the Danville Admirals 66-0 in their first round game. Beechwood has hosted the Bobcats twice in recent years, winning 42-12 last year and 52-7 in 2020.

Breathitt County has posted four very lopsided wins in a row and is playing at their peak level for the season. On the year, the Bobcats have a very balanced offensive attack that varies based on what is working in that game. They look to prefer running the ball but can attack with their passing game as well. It makes sense that the Bobcats have improved throughout the year as they feature a freshman QB Miles Hollon and a freshman RB Eli Thomas. Thomas is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing, averaging 9 yards per carry. QB Hollon has 1,788 yards passing, 61.8% completion rate, 18 TD's and 7 INT's. Those are excellent stats for those two young men in their freshman seasons. Jr. RB Jayden Gibson adds 627 yards rushing to the Bobcats ground attack. Sr. WR Austin Sperry is ranked as the #4 receiver in 2A with almost 100 yards per game and 7 TD catches in just 7 games. Breathitt County has a potent offense averaging 34 points a game, ranked #7 in 2A in scoring. Breathitt County has faced two high level opponents - Johnson Central and Belfry - and was able to score 35 and 26 points in those two losses. This offense will be a test for Beechwood's defense.

That Beechwood defense has dominated teams since district play started. The Tigers have allowed only one TD in the last 6 games against 2A teams and posted 5 shutouts. In non 2A games, the Tigers defense allowed 28 points per game. Can the Tigers defense continue that 2A defensive streak against a powerful, balanced Breathitt County offense? 

Speaking of balanced offensive attacks, Beechwood has made it a point this year to grow their rushing attack. The passing attack led by record breaking QB Sr. Clay Hayden and his senior receiving weapons James Cusick and Luke Erdman is one of the best in the entire state. The speed of Beechwood's receivers is eye popping. Sophomore Nathan Pabst has made the most of the playing time created by injury to fellow sophomore WR Tyler Fryman. Pabst is another speedy weapon, a member of the relays on Beechwood's state champion track team, and is averaging 22.6 yards per catch. In Friday's round 1 win over Danville, Pabst showed that speed on defense when he returned two interceptions for TD's. Beechwood's focus on growing the rushing attack has paid off with Sr. RB Chase Flaherty over 1,000 yards rushing and averaging 101 yards per game, with 14 TD's.

Breathitt County is playing very well. Three weeks ago Bracken County came out and challenged the Tigers, taking an early lead and making Beechwood work for everything they got. Breathitt County is capable of doing the same. Can the Bobcats challenge the Tigers? How do you see this game going?

Having seen both Breathitt County and Bracken County. I think Breathitt County is a better version of Bracken County because of the passing game Breathitt County can mix in there too. Especially with Sperry as a big play threat at receiver. 
 

With that said I think Beechwood will have a big night as usual on offense. My early prediction is:

Beechwood 42

Breathitt County 14

No doubt Tigers are heavy favorites.  BW has traditionally marched onward one game at a time.  But, we are talking about high school young men, social media, high school polls, and teenage distractions.  Any chance that Breathitt Co. and even possible Round 3 opponent could be overlooked?  Round 4 bus ride be dominating thoughts?  Is this team capable of 100% focus on the Bobcats?

Go Tigers!

BC has played a very weak end of season schedule, Beechwood wins by four scores at least.

Calpreps.com projection:

Beechwood 40 Breathitt County 22

That probably surprises some people.

8 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Calpreps.com projection:

Beechwood 40 Breathitt County 22

That probably surprises some people.

It does me.

Here are the TP94 Power Ratings:

Beechwood         72.69
Breathitt County         42.44

I’ve seen both teams play and I think Beechwood is too much.. I’m going to say Beechwood rolls 49-7.

Beechwood will roll easy in this one. 

On 11/9/2024 at 3:58 PM, futurecoach said:

Especially with Sperry as a big play threat at receiver. 

I think Breathitt needs to at least establish the threat of Sperry's ability early. Even if it's just a deep ball that misses the mark, it might draw some additional eyes his way. It's hard to envision the Bobcats making a game of this without him playing a central role.

1 hour ago, DevilMayCare said:

I think Breathitt needs to at least establish the threat of Sperry's ability early. Even if it's just a deep ball that misses the mark, it might draw some additional eyes his way. It's hard to envision the Bobcats making a game of this without him playing a central role.

Exactly. This will be Beechwood’s 2nd time seeing Sperry. They last saw him in 2020.

53 minutes ago, Bac2369 said:

Exactly. This will be Beechwood’s 2nd time seeing Sperry. They last saw him in 2020.

Did you mean 2022? Sperry would have been an 8th grader in 2020. 

13 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Did you mean 2022? Sperry would have been an 8th grader in 2020. 

No. Sperry is one of the Covid holdbacks. He would have been a freshmen in 2020. He played but wasn’t the primary target back in 2020. 
 

 

Beechwood by 21+. BC is too young. Might be close early..

Current poll is 50-0.  Don’t know that I have ever seen a polling shutout with this many voters.