Teams and Score: Middlesboro 29 Beechwood13

Year: 1998

RS or PO: State Semi Finals

Location: Middlesboro, Kentucky Lee Majors Field

Details why this game should be the "Game of the Week":

This game was significant for the purpose that a mountain team was facing a northern Ky team AGAIN. Middlesboro was 12-1 and Beechwood was 13-0. Beechwood was coming in to this game with a 38 game winning streak and string of state championships behind them. This has also proved to be the last time a mountain team has beaten Beechwood.

Edited March 1, 200917 yr by Ram

What made this game great? Who were some of the players that made a difference? What were the big plays of the game? Please be specific.

If you have a nomination for the "Bluegrasspreps.com Game of the Week", please visit this link. You can nominate more then one game. Your nomination does not have to be a playoff or Championship game, just a great game that exemplifies Kentucky High School Football.

Middlesboro had a kid at MLB by the name of Floyd Branham (I think) that year. On the first offensive play of the game for Beechwood, this kid jumped the center and pulled down the QB for a sack. This really set the tone for the rest of the game.

 

Great one to watch.

I was there for this game, you are correct Branham was a monster in this game as well as the state finals. M'boro's kicker was the real deal that year also. What I remember the most about this game was only about the top 22 players for Beechwood could fit in the small dressing room at M'boro so around 70 or so players just milled around outside at half time and before the game,while the starters were inside. A great atmosphere for football.

I was also at that game. Their kicker was very, very good. I can't remember his name. If I recall, Beechwood did not play well that night...very disappointing loss for the Tigers.

I was also at that game. Their kicker was very, very good. I can't remember his name. If I recall, Beechwood did not play well that night...very disappointing loss for the Tigers.

 

I believe the kicker for Middlesboro was Dustin Wynn. And talking to some Beechies I know, I think the players were overconfident coming into the game. Still, Middlesboro had a heck of team that year.

I believe the kicker for Middlesboro was Dustin Wynn. And talking to some Beechies I know, I think the players were overconfident coming into the game. Still, Middlesboro had a heck of team that year.

 

That was his name.

Floyd Branham is the best linebacker Iv'e ever seen play at the high school level. Those 2 big hits during the opening possesion for Beechwood are something I don't think I'll ever forget.

State Semifinal Middlesboro vs Beechwood.

 

The State Semifinals were in Middlesboro for the first time since 1975.

 

Middlesboro's Floyd Branham set the tone early with two tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Middlesboro scored early on a Dustin Wynn 34 yard field goal and later a David Kelley 60 yard punt return for a touchdown. Beechwood on this night was playing a team that had the heart of a champion as they never got on track offensively and were beaten by the Jackets 29-13. Scott Powell had a big game scoring 2 touchdowns and linebacker Floyd Branham was awesome and really so was the team.

 

I remember most of all Beechwood getting off the bus walking into the stadium you could tell they was cocky (taunting the players and fans) but they had no idea that they was walking into a bees nest , For Middlesboro this game was never in doubt.

State Semifinal Middlesboro vs Beechwood.

 

The State Semifinals were in Middlesboro for the first time since 1975.

 

Middlesboro's Floyd Branham set the tone early with two tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Middlesboro scored early on a Dustin Wynn 34 yard field goal and later a David Kelley 60 yard punt return for a touchdown. Beechwood on this night was playing a team that had the heart of a champion as they never got on track offensively and were beaten by the Jackets 29-13. Scott Powell had a big game scoring 2 touchdowns and linebacker Floyd Branham was awesome and really so was the team.

 

I remember most of all Beechwood getting off the bus walking into the stadium you could tell they was cocky (taunting the players and fans) but they had no idea that they was walking into a bees nest , For Middlesboro this game was never in doubt.

 

I disagree with your statement of cockiness .... and I say that simply for one reason ... Beechwood (and their players) were very well aware of the fact of what Middlesboro did the week before at Pikeville.

 

At halftime against a solid Pikeville team--the score:

Middlesboro 28

Pikeville 28

 

By the end of the 3rd quarter:

Middlesboro 78

Pikeville 28

 

50 points in one quarter let Beechwood know what they were dealing with.

 

In the end .... I think that we need not get caught up on Beechwood being cocky. They may have been confident ... but there is a huge difference between confident and cocky.

 

To say that they were taunting the players and fans ... well ... I was there .. and I know what would have happened to those players if they would have done as you suggest. (Coach Yeagle would have pulled them right off the field--and those kids wouldn't have played). I would like to see the last time that a Beechwood team taunted anyone when they got off the bus, or took the field before the game.

 

You don't win that may games/championships by overlooking your opponents ... give the Tigers (and Middlesboro) a little more credit ... because in the end--the better team won because they were the better team. NOT because Beechwood was cocky or over confident.

I disagree with your statement of cockiness .... and I say that simply for one reason ... Beechwood (and their players) were very well aware of the fact of what Middlesboro did the week before at Pikeville.

 

At halftime against a solid Pikeville team--the score:

Middlesboro 28

Pikeville 28

 

By the end of the 3rd quarter:

Middlesboro 78

Pikeville 28

 

50 points in one quarter let Beechwood know what they were dealing with.

 

In the end .... I think that we need not get caught up on Beechwood being cocky. They may have been confident ... but there is a huge difference between confident and cocky.

 

To say that they were taunting the players and fans ... well ... I was there .. and I know what would have happened to those players if they would have done as you suggest. (Coach Yeagle would have pulled them right off the field--and those kids wouldn't have played). I would like to see the last time that a Beechwood team taunted anyone when they got off the bus, or took the field before the game.

 

You don't win that may games/championships by overlooking your opponents ... give the Tigers (and Middlesboro) a little more credit ... because in the end--the better team won because they were the better team. NOT because Beechwood was cocky or over confident.

Middlesboro opened the 3rd quarter scoring 37 points In the first 2 minute.

 

And I was there also that night I know what I heard and saw. The RB O'Brian (I think) was a littlle over emotional.

That was a very good Mboro team. And probably as good of a return team as your going to find.

I disagree with your statement of cockiness .... and I say that simply for one reason ... Beechwood (and their players) were very well aware of the fact of what Middlesboro did the week before at Pikeville.

 

At halftime against a solid Pikeville team--the score:

Middlesboro 28

Pikeville 28

 

By the end of the 3rd quarter:

Middlesboro 78

Pikeville 28

 

50 points in one quarter let Beechwood know what they were dealing with.

 

In the end .... I think that we need not get caught up on Beechwood being cocky. They may have been confident ... but there is a huge difference between confident and cocky.

 

To say that they were taunting the players and fans ... well ... I was there .. and I know what would have happened to those players if they would have done as you suggest. (Coach Yeagle would have pulled them right off the field--and those kids wouldn't have played). I would like to see the last time that a Beechwood team taunted anyone when they got off the bus, or took the field before the game.

 

You don't win that may games/championships by overlooking your opponents ... give the Tigers (and Middlesboro) a little more credit ... because in the end--the better team won because they were the better team. NOT because Beechwood was cocky or over confident.

 

 

Quick I disagree with you. The 98 Beechwood team was cocky. Not all of the most but a lot of them. I can name a few of the players who were. My dad and brother were at that game. They said the same thing that a few of the Beechwood players were taunting the fans of Middlesboro.

The MLB from Middlesboro Floyd Branham was a beast. I didn't go to this game but I did go the finals the next week against Mayfield. I have never seen a MLB dominate a half like he did in the first. Mayfield didn't have a chance.