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.

 

It wasn't O'Brian it was Noah Schater or however you spell it his last name.

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.

 

Fair point (and to SE_Bell) on one of the players mentioned in the thread (no need to point out who). But lets just say that I would agree with one of the people mentioned--so in all fairness .... the two of you guys are right.

 

But on a related note .. I think that it is important to note that "cocky" has very little to do with the fact that the better team won. And when people bring that up ... they need to realize that it makes their team look like they were a little less talented ... and not as good as they really were.

 

One of the other key factors that no one has mentioned ... was 1997 .. when Middlesboro played at Beechwood. You have got to give Middlesboro credit .. they learned a LOT from that game (IMO) .. and they used it to their advantage the next year.

Fair point (and to SE_Bell) on one of the players mentioned in the thread (no need to point out who). But lets just say that I would agree with one of the people mentioned--so in all fairness .... the two of you guys are right.

 

But on a related note .. I think that it is important to note that "cocky" has very little to do with the fact that the better team won. And when people bring that up ... they need to realize that it makes their team look like they were a little less talented ... and not as good as they really were.

 

One of the other key factors that no one has mentioned ... was 1997 .. when Middlesboro played at Beechwood. You have got to give Middlesboro credit .. they learned a LOT from that game (IMO) .. and they used it to their advantage the next year.

 

 

I agree with you that the Jackets were the better team in 98. People also forgot that with Beechwood losing this game it ended their streak of 7 straight state final appearances.

One of the few times ever that I saw Mike Yeagle get out coached. Kenny Roark had his team ready. Beechwood learned from that loss and has done just fine since then with two different coaches.

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.

 

Branham was a nice player. But in M'boro's defense he has to make plays. Everyone else on defense has a man just like in Basketball. That leaves the MLB free to roam and make plays. Their MLB's always put up big numbers on defense in that system. It never changes, he (Kenny) makes ZERO adjustments. They had some studs that year that is why they won. Kelley, Powell, Branham, Wynn and so on could play. Special teams were very, very good in all phases.

I was there. I cannot comment on what was said as the kids got off the bus. However, I remember one Beechwood player (who shall remain nameless) who clearly taunted the fans in the stands. I remember being embarrassed for our school when I watched his antics. However, from what I hear, there were some words exchanged between this boy and the several Beechwood players after the game regarding his behavior. He definately stood out from the other players, but certainly did not represent the teams as a whole.

 

I agree that the Tigers came out overconfident and clearly the best team won that night. It was a difficult loss for the Tigers, but they learned their lesson and were a much stronger and better team the next year.