2007 Bluegrasspreps.com 1A Football Preview

[theguru]

For the complete 1A Preview click here!

 

1. Beechwood (9-3)

Head coach: Noel Rash

2006: Lost to Newport Central Catholic 26-21 in the second round of the playoffs

 

By Jessica Rouse

Bluegrasspreps.com

 

Beechwood Head Coach Noel Rash uses the Tiger football program’s rich history to describe this year’s team.

 

“Up front, we have as much size and depth possibly as 1997. That team and front line was very special, and this year’s ‘hogs’ have a huge task in trying to equal that group,” he said.

 

“That group” won the state title and included Dan Woolley, Brian Claybern, Wayne Holderman and Vinne Matracia, an explosive offensive and defensive line that averaged 240 pounds.

 

Woolley, now a coach at Lloyd Memorial, remembers that team being successful for more than size.

 

“We had all played together since freshman year, some since we were seven,” he said. Woolley also said that the leadership and experience of having five senior offensive linemen and four of five senior defensive linemen made the team so successful.

 

The Tiger line of 2007 will be anchored by senior guard Chris Hoffman (6-3, 265) and senior center Pat Kazen (6-2, 245).

 

Rash also compares his senior quarterback Cody Elliot (6-1, 175) to Tigers of the past.

 

“He is as good an athlete as anybody who has played in that position for Beechwood, and that’s a very bold statement considering the young men that have held that position,” he said.

 

However, Rash said that does not mean anything unless he is able to execute this season. Elliot will have some familiar faces with him behind the snap. Beechwood returns their entire backfield from a team that went 8-2 in the regular season and 6-0 in their district.

 

The Tiger backfield includes senior D-1 prospect fullback Drew Davis (6-3, 235) and senior tailback Tom Bankemper, who suffered a broken leg in the tenth game last season.

 

Beechwood’s defense has size and experience.

 

Hoffman and Davis will lead the line at defensive tackle. Senior defensive end Jake Besse (6-6, 210), defensive tackle Kory Bailey (6-4, 270), and defensive end Dominic Mainello (6-5, 245) will be pushing opponents back this season for the Tigers.

 

While Rash said his players work hard no matter what side of the ball they are on, they also work hard in the classroom. The average GPA for his team is a 3.2, which makes the Tigers smart, but according to Rash, not quite mean enough.

 

“We need to develop a more hostile attitude toward our opponent,” he said. “We try to hate all our opponents equally, they are all trying to take what we want, a win.”

 

Rash, who is in his second year as head coach at Beechwood and has coached for 17 years, said his assistant coaches really add competence and character to the Beechwood program.

 

Jim Procaccino has coached the school through all nine of their state championships. Bob Bruno has coached for 30 years and has three state titles under his belt at nearby rival school Covington Catholic. Darrick Brilz is a 13-year NFL veteran and helped coach Beechwood to the most recent state title in 2004. Greg Hergott was the offensive coordinator for the 2004 team, and played at University of Kentucky and University of Cincinnati. He quarterbacked three state championship teams at Beechwood (1992-94).

 

Matt Mercer started at center and guard for University of Cincinnati and played offensive and defensive tackle on a 1999 state championship team.

 

Beechwood’s last football state championship was in 2004 under Mike Yeagle with a 23-7 romp of Danville at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

 

Beechwood Independent Schools serve the city of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. Fort Mitchell is located in Kenton County in Northern Kentucky.

 

Beechwood is unique in that it is a one building K-12 school system with about 500 enrolled in K-6 and 500 enrolled in 6-12, according to the school’s website. Beechwood started out as the idea of a few Fort Mitchell residents in 1858 and received its charter as a two-room schoolhouse teaching first through eighth grade in 1960. High school grades were gradually added in 1930.

 

Tiger football was established in 1945 and has enjoyed nine state titles since then.

 

Click here for the 2007 Beechwood schedule

 

 

 

2. Mayfield (11-3)

Head coach: Joe Morris

2006: Lost to Danville 27-0 in the Class A state semifinals

 

Despite the loss of several key players, Mayfield finds itself one of the favorites to win the 1A state title in 2007.

 

Look for the Cardinal defense to carry the team early with the return of linebackers Brent Simpkins (5-9, 195, Sr.), Jake Sweatman, and Logan Armstrong (5-11, 205, Sr.). Simpkins is a 4-year starter on defense.

 

Up front, Levi Pruitt (6-0, 195, Sr.), junior Jonathon Lawson, and Scott Brimer (6-0, 265, Sr.) return for the Cardinals’ 5-3 defense.

 

The secondary sees Andy Trevathan (5-11, 175, Sr.) and junior Gary Hall return.

 

Several other newcomers could be worked into the defensive mix for Morris.

 

Offensively, the Cardinals have some big holes to fill although they aren’t too big for a program the caliber of Mayfield to not fill quickly and effectively.

 

For the complete Mayfield Preview click here!

 

 

3. Frankfort (9-3)

Head coach: Craig Foley

2006: Lost to Danville 35-6 in the second round of the playoffs

 

Last year, Frankfort won a first round playoff game for the first time since 1990 on their way to a 9-3 record.

 

In 2007, the Panthers are looking to win their first region title since that same 1990 season and advance to the school’s first championship game in 30 years.

 

Craig Foley’s Panther squad will revolve around senior E.J. Fields. The senior quarterback has added about 15 pounds to his frame and about that many schools to his recruiting list.

 

Fields threw for 664 yards and nine touchdowns, but made his mark on the ground with 1,147 yards and 14 touchdowns as the Panthers led all 1A schools with over 300 rushing yards a game.

 

“I’m expecting a huge year from E.J. I’m hoping he can begin to beat some people throwing the football, because I know we are going to see defenses stack the box against us,” said Foley, who said the Panthers will try and move Fields around the field on offense to get him the ball in space.

 

For the complete Frankfort Preview click here!

 

 

4. Pikeville (8-4)

Head coach: Mike Jackson

2006: Lost to Hazard 15-14 in the second round of the playoffs

 

 

 

5. Lexington Christian (9-3)

Head coach: Paul Rains

2006: Lost to Raceland 20-13 in the second round of the playoffs

 

 

 

6. Louisville Holy Cross (7-4)

7. Campbellsville (2-8)

8. Raceland (11-2)

9. Cumberland (7-4)

10. Hazard (9-4)

 

For the complete 1A Preview click here!

[theguru]

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