The week full of fun starts Thursday!

Beechwood (5-0) travels to the Fort against the Birds (4-0) for another game of teams unbeaten.

Someone will take the "L" for the first time this season.

Kickoff: 6:30

@TheConfluence will have a nice synopsis what to expect.

Will there be any livestream on this one?

Just now, Bluebird said:

Will there be any livestream on this one?

No idea and it appears like the students will be broadcasting Highlands/Holy Cross Soccer on the 1st. I assume that is a not a good sign for a stream of this game.

The final battle of the freshman unbeatens takes place this Thursday night at 6:30 PM as the 5-0 Beechwood Tigers travel to DCM to face the 4-0 Highlands Bluebirds.

Kickoff: 6:30p, Thursday 10/1/26 @ Highlands' David Cecil Memorial Stadium

Team Outlooks
- Beechwood Tigers (5-0): Led by quarterback Ben Jackson, the Tigers bring a balanced attack averaging 27.8 points per game. Their defense has been exceptionally stingy, surrendering just 6 total points all season.
- Highlands Bluebirds (4-0): Powered by quarterback Jaxston Moeves, running back Noah Brown, and wide receivers Gus Bouldin and Drew Thompson, the Bluebirds boast an explosive offense averaging 39.5 points per game. Their defense has allowed 27 points on the year, 19 of which came against a high-powered Ryle offense.

Recent JV Matchup
The junior varsity squads squared off this past weekend in an exciting lead-in to this Freshman matchup.
- The Result: Highlands edged out Beechwood 28-23.
- Freshman Performers: Both Jackson and Moeves led their respective JV offenses. Beechwood saw strong running from freshman Calvin Buring. Highlands received solid playing time from freshmen Brown, Bouldin, Thompson, Austin Hamblen and Brady McDowell.

Common Opponents
CCH: Birds won 42-0, BW won 47-0
Dixie: Birds won 48-8, BW won 20-6

Game Link
https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ky/fort-thomas/organization/5235/highlands-high-school/team/48815/boys-freshman-football/watch?b=QnJvYWRjYXN0NDUzMDU3MA%3D%3D

Fun Note
Similar to last week w/SK's Hopkins, Beechwood's Ben Jackson, Owen Stephenson and Martez Weller, as well as Highlands' Jaxston Moeves, Noah Brown, Santi Guerra (out for the season due to injury), and Oliver Morris, played on the same select baseball team. This is another opportunity for bragging rights for the boys.

Only because I'm bored, here is some additional information that has little to no impact on tomorrow's game 😁:

The Championship History

• Middle School Champions: Highlands (25) and Beechwood (24) are the last two NKMSAA champions in this 2030 graduation class.

• The Simon Kenton Factor: Beechwood beat SK in the 2024 7th-grade game. Highlands also beat SK in last year's 8th-grade Championship game.

Head-to-Head History (Middle School)

• 2024 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 12-8 in the regular season, but later lost to SK in the semifinals. Beechwood then went on to beat SK decisively in the finals.

• 2025 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 22-8 in the regular season.

The Quarterback Matchup

• QBs (and friends) Ben Jackson and Jaxston Moeves did not play in the 2025 game (or that entire season) because both had been moved up to the freshman level.

• Tomorrow marks the first time they will face off against each other since their 7th-grade years.

Roster Adds/Injuries

• Adds: Notable adds include Trent Nichols for Beechwood and Drew Thompson for Highlands. Both Nichols and Thompson have been impactful at WR and DB and will likely face off against each other.

• Injuries: Injuries are common this time of year, but Beechwood will be without their starting center who suffered a broken ankle in last week's game. Prayers continue for that young man. Highlands will continue to be without their starting Tight End/MLB, Santi Guerra, who has been out the entire season due to a stress fracture of his navicular bone. Brady McDowell has filled in exceptionally, but Guerra had some huge catches in last year's game and is a solid blocker in the run game. That production will be missed, but McDowell will look to continue to fill those shoes.
  

Obviously, rosters have changed, but not significantly. The core of both teams is still intact, and they know each other very well. Should be a fun game and can really go either way.

Edited Wednesday at 02:54 PM2 days by theguru
Rule 12

21 minutes ago, TheConfluence said:

Only because I'm bored and this thread has been stale, here is some additional information that has little to no impact on tomorrow's game 😁:

The Championship History

• Middle School Champions: Highlands (25) and Beechwood (24) are the last two NKMSAA champions in this 2030 graduation class.

• The Simon Kenton Factor: Beechwood beat SK in the 2024 7th-grade game. Highlands also beat SK in last year's 8th-grade Championship game.

Head-to-Head History (Middle School)

• 2024 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 12-8 in the regular season, but later lost to SK in the semifinals. Beechwood then went on to beat SK decisively in the finals.

• 2025 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 22-8 in the regular season.

The Quarterback Matchup

• QBs (and friends) Ben Jackson and Jaxston Moeves did not play in the 2025 game (or that entire season) because both had been moved up to the freshman level.

• Tomorrow marks the first time they will face off against each other since their 7th-grade years.

Roster Adds/Injuries

• Adds: Notable adds include Trent Nichols for Beechwood and Drew Thompson for Highlands. Both Nichols and Thompson have been impactful at WR and DB and will likely face off against each other.

• Injuries: Injuries are common this time of year, but Beechwood will be without their starting center who suffered a broken ankle in last week's game. Prayers continue for that young man. Highlands will continue to be without their starting Tight End/MLB, Santi Guerra, who has been out the entire season due to a stress fracture of his navicular bone. Brady McDowell has filled in exceptionally, but Guerra had some huge catches in last year's game and is a solid blocker in the run game. That production will be missed, but McDowell will look to continue to fill those shoes.
  

Obviously, rosters have changed, but not significantly. The core of both teams is still intact, and they know each other very well. Should be a fun game and can really go either way.

I am not 100% but I am believe that BW will also be without a second offensive lineman this week and playing with their backup to the backup at center. At full strength I think this would have been a great game. With the O line shortages I am concerned that eventually Highlands will pull away.

19 minutes ago, FatNate said:

I am not 100% but I am believe that BW will also be without a second offensive lineman this week and playing with their backup to the backup at center. At full strength I think this would have been a great game. With the O line shortages I am concerned that eventually Highlands will pull away.

Ugh, that's brutal. I absolutely hate injuries. Especially when you know how hard these kids work.

I heard BW was pretty thin up front to begin with so being without an add'l lineman can't help. Jackson took a lot of punishment in Saturday's JV game and Highlands' D Line is pretty aggressive. I'd expect BW to have a good gameplan in place to get Jackson outside and on the run. I know he had back issues over the summer so hope both teams can walk away injury free.

Let's not forget that Beechwood is coached by former Highlands player Justin Weyer. A lot of conflict in the Weyer family this week as sister Jenna is Highlands athletic trainer.

7 hours ago, TheConfluence said:

Only because I'm bored, here is some additional information that has little to no impact on tomorrow's game 😁:

The Championship History

• Middle School Champions: Highlands (25) and Beechwood (24) are the last two NKMSAA champions in this 2030 graduation class.

• The Simon Kenton Factor: Beechwood beat SK in the 2024 7th-grade game. Highlands also beat SK in last year's 8th-grade Championship game.

Head-to-Head History (Middle School)

• 2024 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 12-8 in the regular season, but later lost to SK in the semifinals. Beechwood then went on to beat SK decisively in the finals.

• 2025 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 22-8 in the regular season.

The Quarterback Matchup

• QBs (and friends) Ben Jackson and Jaxston Moeves did not play in the 2025 game (or that entire season) because both had been moved up to the freshman level.

• Tomorrow marks the first time they will face off against each other since their 7th-grade years.

Roster Adds/Injuries

• Adds: Notable adds include Trent Nichols for Beechwood and Drew Thompson for Highlands. Both Nichols and Thompson have been impactful at WR and DB and will likely face off against each other.

• Injuries: Injuries are common this time of year, but Beechwood will be without their starting center who suffered a broken ankle in last week's game. Prayers continue for that young man. Highlands will continue to be without their starting Tight End/MLB, Santi Guerra, who has been out the entire season due to a stress fracture of his navicular bone. Brady McDowell has filled in exceptionally, but Guerra had some huge catches in last year's game and is a solid blocker in the run game. That production will be missed, but McDowell will look to continue to fill those shoes.
  

Obviously, rosters have changed, but not significantly. The core of both teams is still intact, and they know each other very well. Should be a fun game and can really go either way.

I was corrected by my know-it-all son. 😃

Head-to-Head History (Middle School)

• 2024 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 12-8 in the regular season, but later lost to BEECHWOOD (not SK) 6-0 in the semifinals. Beechwood then went on to beat SK decisively in the finals.

• 2025 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 22-8 in the regular season.

More importantly, is there an update as to how they did head to head on the Summer Baseball ⚾️ Circuit?

@TheConfluence your son is correct. SK beat St Henry, and Highlands lost on 3 dropped touchdowns and an egregious coaching job of clock management at the end of the half that led to 0 points.

7 hours ago, TheConfluence said:

Only because I'm bored, here is some additional information that has little to no impact on tomorrow's game 😁:

The Championship History

• Middle School Champions: Highlands (25) and Beechwood (24) are the last two NKMSAA champions in this 2030 graduation class.

• The Simon Kenton Factor: Beechwood beat SK in the 2024 7th-grade game. Highlands also beat SK in last year's 8th-grade Championship game.

Head-to-Head History (Middle School)

• 2024 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 12-8 in the regular season, but later lost to SK in the semifinals. Beechwood then went on to beat SK decisively in the finals.

• 2025 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 22-8 in the regular season.

The Quarterback Matchup

• QBs (and friends) Ben Jackson and Jaxston Moeves did not play in the 2025 game (or that entire season) because both had been moved up to the freshman level.

• Tomorrow marks the first time they will face off against each other since their 7th-grade years.

Roster Adds/Injuries

• Adds: Notable adds include Trent Nichols for Beechwood and Drew Thompson for Highlands. Both Nichols and Thompson have been impactful at WR and DB and will likely face off against each other.

• Injuries: Injuries are common this time of year, but Beechwood will be without their starting center who suffered a broken ankle in last week's game. Prayers continue for that young man. Highlands will continue to be without their starting Tight End/MLB, Santi Guerra, who has been out the entire season due to a stress fracture of his navicular bone. Brady McDowell has filled in exceptionally, but Guerra had some huge catches in last year's game and is a solid blocker in the run game. That production will be missed, but McDowell will look to continue to fill those shoes.
  

Obviously, rosters have changed, but not significantly. The core of both teams is still intact, and they know each other very well. Should be a fun game and can really go either way.

28 minutes ago, TheBigLebowski said:

@TheConfluence your son is correct. SK beat St Henry, and Highlands lost on 3 dropped touchdowns and an egregious coaching job of clock management at the end of the half that led to 0 points.

I think running Noah Brown ~3 times the entire game was the biggest mistake made that day. It WAS Coach Wallace's first year coaching so I will give the head man a pass.

On 9/30/2026 at 10:01 AM, TheConfluence said:

Only because I'm bored, here is some additional information that has little to no impact on tomorrow's game 😁:

The Championship History

• Middle School Champions: Highlands (25) and Beechwood (24) are the last two NKMSAA champions in this 2030 graduation class.

• The Simon Kenton Factor: Beechwood beat SK in the 2024 7th-grade game. Highlands also beat SK in last year's 8th-grade Championship game.

Head-to-Head History (Middle School)

• 2024 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 12-8 in the regular season, but later lost to SK in the semifinals. Beechwood then went on to beat SK decisively in the finals.

• 2025 Season: Highlands beat Beechwood 22-8 in the regular season.

The Quarterback Matchup

• QBs (and friends) Ben Jackson and Jaxston Moeves did not play in the 2025 game (or that entire season) because both had been moved up to the freshman level.

• Tomorrow marks the first time they will face off against each other since their 7th-grade years.

Roster Adds/Injuries

• Adds: Notable adds include Trent Nichols for Beechwood and Drew Thompson for Highlands. Both Nichols and Thompson have been impactful at WR and DB and will likely face off against each other.

• Injuries: Injuries are common this time of year, but Beechwood will be without their starting center who suffered a broken ankle in last week's game. Prayers continue for that young man. Highlands will continue to be without their starting Tight End/MLB, Santi Guerra, who has been out the entire season due to a stress fracture of his navicular bone. Brady McDowell has filled in exceptionally, but Guerra had some huge catches in last year's game and is a solid blocker in the run game. That production will be missed, but McDowell will look to continue to fill those shoes.
  

Obviously, rosters have changed, but not significantly. The core of both teams is still intact, and they know each other very well. Should be a fun game and can really go either way.

Yep........you are REALLY bored lol. Enjoy the game!!

Almost time and the stream is active:

Beechwood vs. Highlands Frosh

Here we go. Birds receiving.