I recall last year VoR and possibly a few others say that they were not that sold on Jackson. I would wonder what you guys think after last night where he finally had a big game against Bw

Yes, this one hurts. They always hurt but this one does seem to hurt more. Not because of any hype. It hurts because it was a game you feel like you should have won. There is so much talent on this team it really hurts to sit here today and realize they never played in an actual state championship game (although we all know these last two semi-finals games were in reality for the championship, apologies and no disrespect Hazard, but you will see next week). Mayfield is a great defensive team and they earned the victory, but to Beechwood fans this one feels like a game that we gave them more than they won it.

 

The Mayfield people were great hosts. Everyone was very friendly and respectful, especially after the game. Things can get a little contentious on BGP at times but that is just the nature of this type of forum where it is easy for words to be misread and it is in many ways impersonal. Plus, sometimes people just try to stir it up a little. But everyone at Mayfield was very gracious and friendly ... yes, even the end zone crew with their roasted "pig-tiger" were very nice. So thank you to all in Mayfield.

 

To summarize the game, I really only need two words - Jonathon Jackson. I thought about this the entire ride home (which was a lot of thinking), and I honestly can not think of any one player I have seen in high school that can dominate a game like Jackson. The main reason for that is he does it on both sides of the ball. He has always been dominating on defense, and he was dominating on defense in this one. But he is so much better now running the ball, seems clearly faster than last year and is much more aggressive hitting the hole that he can now dominate a game offensively.

 

Without him, Mayfield gets shut out tonight. Beechwood had nearly every play well defended. The Beechwood defense eliminated the Mayfield passing game. But despite great position and defense, Jackson was able to find that one small crease, explode through it and pick up positive yards. The winning TD, all Jackson. Great defense by Beechwood and he still found the smallest of creases and was able to drive through it and barely get into the end zone. Very, very few backs would have scored on that play. Mayfield had no offense last night outside of Jackson so give him the credit he deserves.

 

Without him, Beechwood has at least one more TD IMO. He covers the field from sideline to sideline and there were several plays where Beechwood has first down runs, and maybe more, if Jackson wasn't there. I will be very surprised if he wasn't in on 20 tackles or more in the game. Look at the running plays in the game and you will probably see that Jackson was in one the tackle on 2/3rds of theose running plays. That is incredible.

 

I never have said one man can win a football game, and of course literally one man can't, but one man beat Beechwood Friday night. Take him away, and Beechwood wins this game 9 of 10 times. And I am sure Mayfield fans will say take Nussbaum away from Beechwood and Mayfield wins easily. As good as Nussbaum was, I would tell you take out Jackson, we'll take out Nussbaum and I will take my chances every day with the rest of these two teams facing off. Jackson is that good.

 

That being said, when you get into games like this, every mistake is magnified. The last two Mayfield TD's were penalty aided drives with one quick snap long pass that caught Beechwood a little off guard being a big play in the second one. Those penalties and little mistakes add up and they hurt Beechwood in this one. Beechwood just barely missed on two or three big play opportunities. The first drive of the game, Beechwood had a wide open receiver 10 yards behind the D for what looked like it was going to be a 50 yard TD pass and the receiver just couldn't quite make the catch on the ball off his finger tips in front of him with no defender within 10 yards of him. Two kickoff returns went to mid-field and were one last man in line tackle from being TD returns for Beechwood. But that is the way it goes in this type of game. Mayfield had some missed opportunities also. They just made one more play than Beechwood and that got them the win.

 

I don't know if Beechwood wins the game with Davis out there. It isn't like they were moving the ball easily with him at QB. But there is no doubt him getting hurt took at least half the offensive playbook away from the Beechwood offense. Everyone said Beechwood needed success throwing the ball to beat Mayfield. That was clear when you see Beechwood leading at halftime because of the big pass play. As I mentioned earlier, Beechwood just missed on another big pass play. With Davis out of the game, those opportunities just aren't there for Beechwood. I believe with Davis at QB, Beechwood would win 6 of 10 versus Mayfield. Without him, Beechwood would be hard pressed to win 4 of 10. He is a difference maker and nearly all Beechwood fans would tell you he was the one player Beechwood could not afford to lose. For those wondering, I believe Davis reinjured the collarbone and that is what knocked him out of the game. Tough luck season for Taylor Davis. A talented young man. Best wishes on a speedy recovery and don't stop pursuing that dream. The talent is there to play at the next level. The path to that dream has become more difficult but if you really want it, I believe you can make it happen. Walk right on past those that say no and get to the one that believes in you like all Beechwood fans do. You can do it.

 

I must talk about the game Max Nussbaum played. Others in the thread have mentioned what a warrior and how true it is. He has grown every week over the second half of the season running the ball. A great combination of speed and power and seeing how much better he gets every game, the sky is the limit next year. Like Jackson, he is on the field on almost every play and the motor never stops. He put the team on his back on that last drive and almost made it happen. Hindsight is 20/20 but I would have liked to see Beechwood take the risk at the goal line on that last drive and let Nussbaum get at least 2, maybe 3 more carries versus throwing the ball, even though Beechwood had no more time outs. I like my odds getting into the end zone with Max running it versus trying to make the winning TD pass.

 

Mayfield is a great defensive team. One of the best I have seen. Great speed but even better at each player never getting out of position. They stack the line and it makes it very difficult to run the ball. There are too many bodies in the box to get blockers on everyone and the ends string it out long enough for the speed (Jackson) to get outside and prevent you from getting around the end. Beechwood's offense this year was for the most part a big play offense and they never could get enough of an opening in space for Nussbaum or Vocke to do their thing. They are sure tacklers. You have to throw the ball to beat them and that is the only way you will get a big play on them. So congratulations to Mayfield. I would say best wishes on another title next week but I don't think you need those wishes. Just go play your game.

Edited November 26, 201114 yr by nWo
edited per member request.

Yes, this one hurts. They always hurt but this one does seem to hurt more. Not because of any hype. It hurts because it was a game you feel like you should have won. There is so much talent on this team it really hurts to sit here today and realize they never played in an actual state championship game (although we all know these last two semi-finals games were in reality for the championship, apologies and no disrespect Hazard, but you will see next week). Mayfield is a great defensive team and they earned the victory, but to Beechwood fans this one feels like a game that we gave them more than they won it.

 

The Mayfield people were great hosts. Everyone was very friendly and respectful, especially after the game. Things can get a little contentious on BGP at times but that is just the nature of this type of forum where it is easy for words to be misread and it is in many ways impersonal. Plus, sometimes people just try to stir it up a little. But everyone at Mayfield was very gracious and friendly ... yes, even the end zone crew with their roasted "pig-tiger" were very nice. So thank you to all in Mayfield.

 

To summarize the game, I really only need two words - Jonathon Jackson. I thought about this the entire ride home (which was a lot of thinking), and I honestly can not think of any one player I have seen in high school that can dominate a game like Jackson. The main reason for that is he does it on both sides of the ball. He has always been dominating on defense, and he was dominating on defense in this one. But he is so much better now running the ball, seems clearly faster than last year and is much more aggressive hitting the hole that he can now dominate a game offensively.

 

Without him, Mayfield gets shut out tonight. Beechwood had nearly every play well defended. The Beechwood defense eliminated the Mayfield passing game. But despite great position and defense, Jackson was able to find that one small crease, explode through it and pick up positive yards. The winning TD, all Jackson. Great defense by Beechwood and he still found the smallest of creases and was able to drive through it and barely get into the end zone. Very, very few backs would have scored on that play. Mayfield had no offense last night outside of Jackson so give him the credit he deserves.

 

Without him, Beechwood has at least one more TD IMO. He covers the field from sideline to sideline and there were several plays where Beechwood has first down runs, and maybe more, if Jackson wasn't there. I will be very surprised if he wasn't in on 20 tackles or more in the game. Look at the running plays in the game and you will probably see that Jackson was in one the tackle on 2/3rds of theose running plays. That is incredible.

 

I never have said one man can win a football game, and of course literally one man can't, but one man beat Beechwood Friday night. Take him away, and Beechwood wins this game 9 of 10 times. And I am sure Mayfield fans will say take Nussbaum away from Beechwood and Mayfield wins easily. As good as Nussbaum was, I would tell you take out Jackson, we'll take out Nussbaum and I will take my chances every day with the rest of these two teams facing off. Jackson is that good.

 

That being said, when you get into games like this, every mistake is magnified. The last two Mayfield TD's were penalty aided drives with one quick snap long pass that caught Beechwood a little off guard being a big play in the second one. Those penalties and little mistakes add up and they hurt Beechwood in this one. Beechwood just barely missed on two or three big play opportunities. The first drive of the game, Beechwood had a wide open receiver 10 yards behind the D for what looked like it was going to be a 50 yard TD pass and the receiver just couldn't quite make the catch on the ball off his finger tips in front of him with no defender within 10 yards of him. Two kickoff returns went to mid-field and were one last man in line tackle from being TD returns for Beechwood. But that is the way it goes in this type of game. Mayfield had some missed opportunities also. They just made one more play than Beechwood and that got them the win.

 

I don't know if Beechwood wins the game with Davis out there. It isn't like they were moving the ball easily with him at QB. But there is no doubt him getting hurt took at least half the offensive playbook away from the Beechwood offense. Everyone said Beechwood needed success throwing the ball to beat Mayfield. That was clear when you see Beechwood leading at halftime because of the big pass play. As I mentioned earlier, Beechwood just missed on another big pass play. With Davis out of the game, those opportunities just aren't there for Beechwood. I believe with Davis at QB, Beechwood would win 6 of 10 versus Mayfield. Without him, Beechwood would be hard pressed to win 4 of 10. He is a difference maker and nearly all Beechwood fans would tell you he was the one player Beechwood could not afford to lose. For those wondering, I believe Davis reinjured the collarbone and that is what knocked him out of the game. Tough luck season for Taylor Davis. A talented young man. Best wishes on a speedy recovery and don't stop pursuing that dream. The talent is there to play at the next level. The path to that dream has become more difficult but if you really want it, I believe you can make it happen. Walk right on past those that say no and get to the one that believes in you like all Beechwood fans do. You can do it.

 

I must talk about the game Max Nussbaum played. Others in the thread have mentioned what a warrior and how true it is. He has grown every week over the second half of the season running the ball. A great combination of speed and power and seeing how much better he gets every game, the sky is the limit next year. Like Jackson, he is on the field on almost every play and the motor never stops. He put the team on his back on that last drive and almost made it happen. Hindsight is 20/20 but I would have liked to see Beechwood take the risk at the goal line on that last drive and let Nussbaum get at least 2, maybe 3 more carries versus throwing the ball, even though Beechwood had no more time outs. I like my odds getting into the end zone with Max running it versus trying to make the winning TD pass.

 

Mayfield is a great defensive team. One of the best I have seen. Great speed but even better at each player never getting out of position. They stack the line and it makes it very difficult to run the ball. There are too many bodies in the box to get blockers on everyone and the ends string it out long enough for the speed (Jackson) to get outside and prevent you from getting around the end. Beechwood's offense this year was for the most part a big play offense and they never could get enough of an opening in space for Nussbaum or Vocke to do their thing. They are sure tacklers. You have to throw the ball to beat them and that is the only way you will get a big play on them. So congratulations to Mayfield. I would say best wishes on another title next week but I don't think you need those wishes. Just go play your game.

 

 

 

I agree with just about everything you just said, even about taking Jackson and Nussbaum out of the game Beechwood would maybe have the edge. However, that is all just mumbo jumbo opinion. If you want to go into that arena, If our second best defensive player ( labront Scott ) doesn't pull his hamstring on the FIRST series I dont think Beecwood would have ever scored. It's all hypothectical and means nothing tho. Two great teams, both played well enough to win, Mayfield just edged out the victory.

Edited November 26, 201114 yr by nWo

To all the senior Tigers ... wow. It was a great four years. It hurts. It hurts a lot. And it is going to hurt for a while. But the wins far, far outweigh the losses. It was an awesome four years. A lot of hard work. Even more fun. Brotherhood that will be with you the rest of your lives. The discipline and character you developed in these four years will serve you well throughout the rest of your lives and enable you to have success in whatever you choose to pursue. Hold on to the good memories and cherish the brotherhood and friendships. Be proud of all you accomplished. Look forward. Your lives are in front of you and as good as these four years have been, realize that even better things are to come. Thank you for all the great memories and thank you even more for being the Young Men of Beechwood that make us all so proud to say there goes a Beechwood Tiger. All hail, all hail, all hail ... the senior Tigers.

To all the senior Tigers ... wow. It was a great four years. It hurts. It hurts a lot. And it is going to hurt for a while. But the wins far, far outweigh the losses. It was an awesome four years. A lot of hard work. Even more fun. Brotherhood that will be with you the rest of your lives. The discipline and character you developed in these four years will serve you well throughout the rest of your lives and enable you to have success in whatever you choose to pursue. Hold on to the good memories and cherish the brotherhood and friendships. Be proud of all you accomplished. Look forward. Your lives are in front of you and as good as these four years have been, realize that even better things are to come. Thank you for all the great memories and thank you even more for being the Young Men of Beechwood that make us all so proud to say there goes a Beechwood Tiger. All hail, all hail, all hail ... the senior Tigers.

:clap:

I disagree with you on Beechwood holding Mayfield scoreless without Jackson in the game. The second td that Mayfield scored was scored by JJ, but only after two passes to Higginson put the Cardinals inside the ten yard line...Higginson is a dangerous weapon in his own right, and in my opinion, under-utilized...but I' m just an armchair QB. Championship teams become champions by overcoming every adversity that comes their way....penalties, injuries, no calls, and just bad breaks in general...it's one of the main reasons we call them champions.

Much Heralded Bwood Seniors... No Ring, Get In the back of the bus.

I disagree with you on Beechwood holding Mayfield scoreless without Jackson in the game. The second td that Mayfield scored was scored by JJ, but only after two passes to Higginson put the Cardinals inside the ten yard line...Higginson is a dangerous weapon in his own right, and in my opinion, under-utilized...but I' m just an armchair QB. Championship teams become champions by overcoming every adversity that comes their way....penalties, injuries, no calls, and just bad breaks in general...it's one of the main reasons we call them champions.

:thumb:

vor, I certainly respect your opinion, but, I dont see that BWood team ever beating Mayfield 9 out of 10 times. IMO, they played as well as they possibly could have played tonight and still came up short. Yes, Davis got hurt and that hurt Bwoods passing game, but, losing SethClifton, Mayfields best lineman along with Labront Scott being at about 1/2 speed for 3 1/2 qtrs, were just as big a blows as anything theTigers lost. Even without Scott and Clifton, the Cards held Bwood to 10 yds total offense in the 2nd half, with exception to the last drive where Nussbaum picked up a couple of nice runs. BWood had a bigger and stronger line, but, not as quick and certainly, even with that, didnt dominate the trenches, even with Clifton out. Other than the line play I thought Mayfield had the superior team. Guhy tried to go too deep too often and Bwood did a great job defending it, but, the shorter routes were getting the Cards 5-8 yds every time, but, for some reason, they went completely away from it. You can say Jackson beat them, and, he sure had a terrific game, but, it wasnt always Jackson making big stops in space where it appeared the Tigers had 1st downs. Mayfields closing speed on the ball is just that good. You didnt see the Labront Scott that we've seen all year either. Hes a dominating DE vs the run and pass. I respect how good the Tigers are, but, in no way shape , form or fashion, would I ever favor them over this Mayfield team.

This game sounds like a classic! It's sad to hear the game end like that, however as others have mentioned it is a game of emotion. I can understand something like that happening at the end of such a great game. Seems like both teams left it all on the field tonight and that is what counts.

Learherneck called me. Said some of you guys need to write more efficiently.

VoR that was a fantastic read

Surely someone will have video of the last BW play, correct?

Was told on another site that Seth had surgery this morning. Broken ankle and ligament damage.

This from the Cincinnati Enquirer...

MAYFIELD – When Beechwood took possession of the football on its own 30 with 2:45 left in Friday's Class A state semifinal game against Mayfield all it was up against was a five-point deficit, without its starting quarterback, facing the state's toughest defense to score on and having not recorded a single second-half first down at that point.

 

It came within 19 yards though of pulling out the victory before a fourth-down pass into the end zone went incomplete, albeit controversially, as Mayfield hung on for a 19-14 victory at War Memorial Stadium. It's the third straight season Mayfield defeated Beechwood in the semifinal round.

 

"It talks about their grit and their gusto and what they're willing to do when things aren't going their way to make that last drive," said Beechwood coach Noel Rash. "It speaks a lot about their work ethic and who they are as people. Our kids played incredible, it just wasn't enough."

 

Mayfield (14-0), which won its 29th straight game, advances to Friday's state championship game against Hazard, which beat Pikeville in Friday night's other semifinal, 57-35.

 

Beechwood (12-2) lost senior starting quarterback Taylor Davis with five minutes left in the third quarter when he took a hit while attempting to pass. At the time, the Tigers held a 14-13 lead, thanks in part to a 69-yard touchdown pass from Davis to senior Dane Everett early in the second quarter that put them ahead at the time 14-7.

 

Mayfield, which had allowed just 77 points in its first 13 games and hadn't trailed in a single game all season until that TD pass, took a 19-14 lead 43 seconds into the fourth quarter when junior running back Jonathan Jackson raced around left from three yards out to score. Jackson finished with 191 yards rushing on 27 carries and all three Mayfield touchdowns.

 

Beechwood's final chance came after it took over on its own 30 following a punt. With junior Max Nussbaum operating at quarterback, the Tigers needed seven plays to reach the Mayfield 19. Nussbaum had played some quarterback during the season, but mostly operated out of the "Wildcat" formation, something he did at times in Friday's game prior to Davis' injury. He made two big plays on the drive with his feet, the first a 24-yard scramble on 3rd-and-4 from the Beechwood 36 and the second a 20-yard run on a draw on 3rd-and-9 from the Mayfield 39 with a little over a minute left.

 

That's when the Beechwood drive stalled as Nussbaum, who finished with 110 yards rushing on 31 carries, threw an incompletion, was tackled on a running play for no gain, threw another incompletion and then on fourth down threw incomplete into the end zone on an attempt to senior Cameron Vocke, who was bumped by two defenders as the pass came his way.

 

"It clearly was interference, but what are you going to do?," said Rash. "There were other calls in the game that could have happened. You can't pin your hopes on that one call."

 

Beechwood finished with 188 yards total offense, just 67 in the second half, 54 of which came on the final drive. The speedy Vocke, who entered the game having rushed for 2,038 yards on 168 carries, had just two yards rushing on five carries as the Tigers' speed was neutralized by Mayfield's speed.

 

"They are extremely difficult to run the ball against, because they run extremely well and they're tenacious," said Rash.

 

Mayfield finished with 281 yards offense. Sophomore quarterback Jake Guhy, who entered the game having thrown for 2,129 yards, was just 11 of 22 for 94 yards and was intercepted three times, all in the first half.

 

Vocke had two of those interceptions, both in the first quarter, and the second one and ensuing 22-yard return gave Beechwood the ball at the Mayfield 41 to set up its first touchdown. It took the Tigers eight plays to march for the tying score with Nussbaum racing in from five yards out a little over a minute into the second quarter. Nussbaum carried seven times for 29 yards on the drive.

 

Then two plays after Beechwood forced a three-and-out and from the Tigers 31, Davis threw a perfect strike to Everett off a play-action fake and when the defender covering Everett fell down, Everett raced into the end zone untouched to give Beechwood a 14-7 lead with 9:11 left in the first half.

 

Mayfield responded on its next drive by going 80 yards in six plays with Jackson rushing into the end zone from seven yards out to make it 14-13 with 7:23 left in the half. The ensuing extra point try was blocked.

 

"Their defense is awful good," said Mayfield coach Joe Morris. "We couldn't make any plays on the edge. They did a great job of beating us up with not many people in the box, but in the second half we just gave it to No. 9 (Jackson) and let him roll."