The district championship is on the line as the Bracken County Polar Bears travel to Ft. Mitchell to take on the Beechwood Tigers, game time 7:30 pm. Bracken County and Beechwood both stand at 4-0 in district play and both teams have won each of their district games by lopsided scores.

Much credit to the Polar Bears on what they have accomplished this season. In game 2 they lost to injury their QB Greg Benedict and their outstanding RB Daulton Tarter. Despite losing those outstanding players the Polar Bears have won 5 of their last 6 games. Jr Ryland Tucker has stepped in at QB to lead the team and Sr Lucas McKinney took over the starting running back duties. McKinney is averaging just under 10 yards a carry and 92 yards a game. The Polar Bears are a run heavy offense, averaging 237 yards a game on the ground, which ranks 8th in 2A. 

Beechwood's offense is the opposite, led by the top passing QB in 2A Jr. Emmett Queen and the top WR in 2A Jr Tyler Fryman. Jr. WR Nathan Pabst adds more explosive firepower averaging 24.3 yards per catch. The leading rusher for the Tigers is Sr Brody Aylor. On defense, Sr Chase McDaniel has 16 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. 

Last year Bracken County scored first and trailed only 17-7 at the half before Beechwood pulled away in the second half. What does Bracken County need to do to pull off the upset?

I am sure Bracken County will utilize their strategy from last year. Keep Beechwood’s offense on the sideline by being very deliberate with running the play clock down and churn out first downs on the ground which in turn will own the time of possession. Eventually the Tigers will pull away but will that be early or in 3rd or 4th quarter like last year.
Is Dalton Tarter back from injury? I believe people said he was available for St. Henry last week but not sure how much he played. I believe playing in Ft. Mitchell will also help Beechwood as playing on turf makes them so much faster. 

Bracken County has been building toward this year under Coach Tarter, and most surely hope he stays on after his son Dalton graduates.  A truly solid year with the loss of their two best offensive and defensive players for the majority of the year.  With both back they are ready to ratchet it up, unfortunately they run into Beechwood and Pikeville to close out the season.  Ugh!  Hope two losses doesn’t ruin their potential for a nice playoff run.

12 minutes ago, Oldercoach said:

Bracken County has been building toward this year under Coach Tarter, and most surely hope he stays on after his son Dalton graduates.  A truly solid year with the loss of their two best offensive and defensive players for the majority of the year.  With both back they are ready to ratchet it up, unfortunately they run into Beechwood and Pikeville to close out the season.  Ugh!  Hope two losses doesn’t ruin their potential for a nice playoff run.

If Bracken loses these next two, they will host a first round game against the loser of Morgan County and West Carter. If Bracken wins that round 1 game, they will most likely travel to Breathitt County.

That is their path unless they beat Beechwood. I don't think Bracken County can gain enough in RPI to host round 2 even if they beat Pikeville. Perhaps if they beat Pikeville and Breathitt County loses to Russell they could pass Breathitt in RPI? Doubtful but possible.

Hard for me seeing the Polar Bears beating Pikeville.  Just another level.

14 minutes ago, Oldercoach said:

Hard for me seeing the Polar Bears beating Pikeville.  Just another level.

I agree. Pikeville 2025 is not as strong as they have been in recent years but I think there is still a big gap between them and Bracken County. They need to get Tarter back and add some more ball control potential to the offense to have any chance in that game.

Bracken County has had excellent game plan for this game last season. To be successful they need to score more than once. One score is all they’ve managed in this game dating back on the scoreboard since 2003. Beechwood is 9-0 since then. Last year is the least points they’ve put up in the matchup 38 points.

Daulton Tarter is about 90% and played minimal snaps last week.  Greg Benedict got plates and screws in his ankle 7 weeks ago and played last week as well.  Bracken County just needs to make sure all of their kickoffs and punts go out of bounds.  Their speed killed the Polar Bears. Hopefully everyone can stay healthy. 

Beechwood QB Queen was offered by Arizona State! Pretty impressive! 

50 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Beechwood QB Queen was offered by Arizona State! Pretty impressive! 

Heck of a football player that big frame that colleges love definitely helps! I can see Queen leading the Tigers back to the State Championship and winning 2 in a row.

54 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Beechwood QB Queen was offered by Arizona State! Pretty impressive! 

Love ASU!

On 10/19/2025 at 2:00 PM, Voice of Reason said:

If Bracken loses these next two, they will host a first round game against the loser of Morgan County and West Carter. If Bracken wins that round 1 game, they will most likely travel to Breathitt County.

That is their path unless they beat Beechwood. I don't think Bracken County can gain enough in RPI to host round 2 even if they beat Pikeville. Perhaps if they beat Pikeville and Breathitt County loses to Russell they could pass Breathitt in RPI? Doubtful but possible.

RPI doesn’t come into play until round 3, so Bracken will be on the road at Breathitt County in round 2, regardless of RPI.

On 10/19/2025 at 3:35 PM, brooksville said:

Daulton Tarter is about 90% and played minimal snaps last week.  Greg Benedict got plates and screws in his ankle 7 weeks ago and played last week as well.  Bracken County just needs to make sure all of their kickoffs and punts go out of bounds.  Their speed killed the Polar Bears. Hopefully everyone can stay healthy. 

Great to hear! Glad they are back and hopefully good health the rest of the year.

Beechwood with the RC.