For a seventh year in a row, Beechwood heads into "Cov Cath Week" with a perfect record on the season. Covington Catholic is heading into "Beechwood Week" this year hoping to spoil the Tigers' perfect record for a fifth year in a row.

Back in the saddle at Beechwood, Noel Rash has a 3-14 record against Cov Cath, while Eddie Eviston has an overall 11-3 record against Beechwood, including a 1-2 record against the Tigers while head coach at Newport Central Catholic. Head-to-head as skippers of their current programs, the two are 10 wins to 1, in favor of Coach Eviston and the Colonels.

The Beechwood Tigers are currently 3-0 with wins over Indian Hill (OH), Dixie Heights, and Simon Kenton. Despite having the electric combination of Wake Forest commit Emmett Queen at QB and University of Kentucky commit Tyler Fryman at wideout alongside fellow senior speedster Nathan Pabst, Beechwood's defense may be the most impressive aspect of Beechwood's defense this season. As a 2A football team, they've played Indian Hill (whose enrollment size compares to a 3A program in Kentucky), 5A Dixie Heights, and 6A Simon Kenton, and the Beechwood D is yet to surrender a touchdown, with shutout wins against Indian Hill and Simon Kenton, and a mere field goal allowed to Dixie Heights. Senior linebacker Bo Sowder is one of the Tigers' top defenders at linebacker, joined by junior Landry Queen behind the defensive frontline. Seniors Kingston Brockett and Jacob Bystry are two of the top rushers on the D-line, at defensive end and tackle, respectively. Offensively Beechwood has been averaging around 300 total yards of offense per game, and an outstanding 41.33 points per game.

Covington Catholic is currently sitting on a 3-1 record, with their 1 loss coming at the hands of the Elder Panthers, currently ranked #1 in Ohio. The soundly beat 6A Ryle 50-6 in Week 1, followed by a 56-20 loss to Elder, then they beat 6A Simon Kenton 42-7 in Week 3, and they beat 5A Dixie Heights 56-7 on Friday night. Cov Cath's offense has proven with their performances in weeks 1, 3, and 4 that they are capable of churning out serious points in the game, and what may be even more impressive is the fact that they're still working on finding their legs, in many ways. As a first-year starter, junior QB Dylan Courtney's composure in the pocket has improved week-to-week, and he's really starting to find his rhythm behind center as he's learned how to work with his very capable and multi-faceted receiving corps, featuring wideouts Jason Fedor and Grant Reardon, slotbacks Mac Cogswell and Jamir Kirtley, and tight ends Owen Pitzer and Spencer Clukey. Sophomore running back Kiyan Miller is an absolute workhorse out of the backfield, with 8 rushing touchdowns and 3 touchdowns receiving, and Jamir Kirtley has also had a few chances now to offer glimpses into his depth of talent running the ball out of the backfield and following several of his receptions in shallow yardage range. On Cov Cath's defensive side of the ball, Army West Point commit has been giving opposing linemen all they can handle on defense, with 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles already this season. The stout linebacking corps of Ball State commit Owen Pitzer, and juniors Cash Myers & Evan Link has held their own when it comes to producing touchdowns and causing havoc at the line of scrimmage.

In my eyes, the biggest keys to the game for Beechwood will be stopping Cov Cath up front and keeping Jonny Lind and the Colonel linebacking corps out of the offensive backfield, and using their speed in the defensive backfield to limit Cov Cath's yards and force themto have to gain them on the ground.

For Cov Cath, the biggest keys to the game will be staying in Emmett Queen's face to prevent him from getting the ball to his receivers, who've proven for years now that there's little beating their speed. I also look for the Colonel offense to focus in on its short-game, relying on long, consistent drives that eat up the clock and limit Beechwood's offensive time on the field.

Current series record stands at 29 wins to 16 in Covington Catholic's favor. During Coach Eviston's tenure the Colonels have averaged 37.4 points per game against Beechwood, and during Coach Rash's tenure the Tigers have averaged 14.5 points against Cov Cath.

Complete Series Results:
1978 - Beechwood (Barre) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 8-6
1979 - Beechwood (Barre) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 34-7
1980 - Beechwood (Barre) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 26-14
1981 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Barre) 6-0
1982 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Barre) 47-9
1983 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Barre) 12-0
1984 - Teams Did Not Play
1985 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Barre) 21-14 (OT)
1986 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Barre) 14-13
1987 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Barre) 22-0
1988 - Beechwood (Barre) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 14-10
1989 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Barre) 17-7
1990 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Barre) 20-12
1991 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 42-21
1992 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Yeagle) 53-9
1993 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Yeagle) 33-12
1994 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 19-10
1995 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 14-13
1996 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 22-13
1997 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 28-23
1998 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 24-21 (OT)
1999 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 26-0
2000 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 14-0
2001 - Teams Did Not Play
2002 - Teams Did Not Play
2003 - Beechwood (Yeagle) beats Cov Cath (Ray) 24-7
2004 - Cov Cath (Ray) beats Beechwood (Yeagle) 26-25
2005 - Cov Cath (Rodenberg) beats Beechwood (Yeagle) 28-14
2006 - Cov Cath (Rodenberg) beats Beechwood (Rash) 34-0
2007 - Cov Cath (Brossart) beats Beechwood (Rash) 14-7
2008 - Beechwood (Rash) beats Cov Cath (Brossart) 35-21
2009 - Cov Cath (Wirth) beats Beechwood (Rash) 43-14
2010 - Cov Cath (Wirth) beats Beechwood (Rash) 24-21
2011 - Cov Cath (Wirth) beats Beechwood (Rash) 40-28
2012 - Cov Cath (Wirth) beats Beechwood (Rash) 41-6
2013 - Cov Cath (Wirth) beats Beechwood (Rash) 28-7
2014 - Beechwood (Rash) beats Cov Cath (Wirth) 28-13
2015 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Rash) 41-21
2016 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Rash) 44-10
2017 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Rash) 45-9
2018 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Rash) 49-14
2019 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Rash) 49-3
2020 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Rash) 19-17
2021 - Beechwood (Rash) beats Cov Cath (Eviston) 27-7
2022 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Rash) 31-14
2023 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Volker) 35-31
2024 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Volker) 49-28
2025 - Cov Cath (Eviston) beats Beechwood (Volker) 42-14

I'm really looking forward to seeing Emmett and Fryman play and Beechwood should have a good chance in 2A this year.

Having said that, I think Cov Cath wins by a few scores. Too big and physical upfront and at the TE/LB/RB spots.

Beechwood has to many weapons and their Oline amd Dline look good. Beechwood by 14.

2 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Beechwood has to many weapons and their Oline amd Dline look good. Beechwood by 14.

My heart agrees, my head says "Not so fast'.

I think the Colonels take care of business at home. It will be a lot closer final score than last year.

CCH by multiple scores. The game is won and lost in the trenches and that advantage is wide for the Colonels. The Colonels being overlooked and disrespected locally is rather interesting. They have a really really good team this year that is only getting better each week. They will be around in late November, early December!

We will know in the first quarter what Beechwood's chances are. This matchup is almost always about one thing - can Beechwood have any success at the line of scrimmage. Beechwood has the skill players and usually Beechwood matches up fine in the skill positions. CCH usually as too much size and strength at the line of scrimmage and that is where the Colonels get the wins.

To that comment, here is a stat for you. The last Beechwood RB to gain 100 yards against CCH was Cameron Vocke in 2011. Most Beechwood followers will tell you that 2011 team is the best Beechwood team to not win a state championship. Even with Vocke over 100 yards, Beechwood lost that game. Beechwood has one win over CCH in the last 11 years. In that win, QB Cameron Hergott rushed for 173 yards on his way to Mr. Football. The Tigers don't have any players named Cameron on this years roster.

Can Beechwood run the ball? That is the game right there. Watch for any success at the line of scrimmage on offense for Beechwood running the ball. That will tell us Beechwood's chances for a win.

Beechwood has been run focused on offense in every game this year. The formula has been control the clock rushing the ball and keep the defense fresh and strong. There haven't been many explosive running plays. They will likely need a couple of those against CCH.

6 hours ago, _kyboyb_ said:

CCH by multiple scores. The game is won and lost in the trenches and that advantage is wide for the Colonels. The Colonels being overlooked and disrespected locally is rather interesting. They have a really really good team this year that is only getting better each week. They will be around in late November, early December!

THIS! I think it will be within 14 points though. Having seen these two in back to back weeks my pick would be the blue Colonels. CovCath doesn't wow you with size up front but they had a high level of physicality to make up for that and work really well as a unit.... really well. The best O-line we have competed against this year. Both great teams and no disrespect to Beechwood, but we at Dixie were injured, without a few starters for the first quarter, only had our complete O-line for one quarter, and it still took the Tigers until deep in the second half to get to a running clock on us. Beechwood will need a heck of a game from their studs and for CovCath to step on their own foot to get the win in my opinion.

My guess is Pabst with player of the game this week and his shiftiness overcomes some smaller holes to run through than usual and the run success is enough to overcome the Colonels this year.

I am expecting a shootout.

9 hours ago, BlueBloodedColonel said:

I think the Colonels take care of business at home. It will be a lot closer final score than last year.

I'm thinking similarly. I believe that the Colonels will win but I think it will be a better game. Good luck to both teams.

Beechwood vs. Covington Catholic: First Edition, 1978


Covington Catholic quarterback #19 Bill Hentz turns to handoff the ball. Linemen #51 Jay Krebs blocks, at right, and Beechwood defender #85 Jim Huber pushes toward the Covington Catholic backfield.


Covington Catholic fullback #22 Gary Hebbeler leaps over a would-be tackler from Beechwood as offensive tackle #73 Bob Rademacher blocks in front of him. #12 Mike Shirden seen looking on from the Beechwood sideline.


Covington Catholic tailback #21 Mark Brueggemann spins to avoid the Beechwood defense.

Covington Catholic quarterback #19 Bill Hentz turns to handoff the ball as fullback #22 Gary Hebbeler charges toward the hole. #64 Jeff Pilger and #70 Mark Becker seen looking on from the Beechwood sideline.


Covington Catholic tailback #21 Mark Brueggemann is tripped up as Beechwood defender #65 Doug Becker closes in. #12 Mike Shirden seen looking on from the Beechwood sideline.

Beechwood vs. Covington Catholic: Second Edition, 1979

Beechwood tailback #33 Bailie Morlidge leaps over a tackler from Covington Catholic in front of lineman #72 Brian Butler. #51 Jay Krebs, #66 John Krebs, #20 Dave Neiheisel seen closing in for the tackle.


Beechwood tailback #33 Bailie Morlidge kicks a PAT for the Tigers.


Covington Catholic linebacker #34 Gary Stegman dives to finish off a tackle on Beechwood ball carrier #30 Paul Schulte.


Backups are in late in the game.

I have been so impressed by Kiyan Miller. For a 200+ pound sophomore back, he has really good feet and good hands to help out in the passing game too.