RH1183

I believe that 1a is up for grabs. The ironton game will be a big "guage" in the eyes of many for Beechwoods title hopes....however it is early in the season and injuries can mount...especially for a 1a team like the Tigers who are thin on experience. 1 week at a time, win or lose, get out injury free and move on. They will have learned a lot about themselves by the end of the Cov Cath game...which I believe is the week after Ironton.

7. Beechwood 5. Bracken 3. Pendleton 2. New Cath 1. Highlands Beechwood

Overstreet and Hermes took turns making good blocks and being disruptive on defense. The Hermes sack really jacked up the defense leading to the interceptions. Overstreets motor doesnt stop.

Beechwoods line will improve each week. Playing both ways will test them over the rough first half of the season...giving time for underclassmen to step up. They will be needed to achieve the ultimate goal.

Beechwood will improve as rhe season progresses. Drastic improvements made in conditioning from conner scrimage to now. Line handled a Dixie rotation on the line as they did for the most part lastnight. Rowe will get back. Overstreet and Hermes setting the tone at the tackles. Sherron, Campbell, Lang and Talley also contributing. Health for this group is a must

Grant co Simon Kenton Scott Paris Ryle Simon Kenton

From what I have seen so far, I believe this will be closer than most think. Beechwood is young and thin with experience on the big stage accross the line on both sides. The passing game has not really gotten on track, nor has the running game aside from a series or two against Dixie in a scrimmage. This season will be about the maturation of the Beechwood line and how well they can work together. Conditioning seemed to be lacking against Conner, however they looked better against Dixie...so my feeling is that as the year goes along...barring injury...this line should get better and better....which will make Beechwood better and better. Overstreet leads the line. Hermes has gotten stronger and is mean. Sherron will be back, Rowe is tough. Campbell, Talley and other juniors are improving. Should be a fun season to watch.

Just so we are all clear....Dixie is not the only team that played with a "green" O-line. Beechwoods line (both offensive and defensive) has only 1 returning starter. Beechwood controlled the line of scrimmage which was not expected...in my opinion.

Thanks VOR...so I can only assume that takes Franklin Co. off the schedule also....

Rumor is that this years schedule will be drastically different....No Dixie, or Holmes....Not sure who the Skyline game will be against...someone stated that he heard Raceland was on it...???? Voice or Eye...have you heard anything??

Underclassmen will play a huge role in this years group of players. As was stated, this group of incoming seniors...most of which have played valuable minutes the last couple of years...some have only gotten their "feet wet". The skill players will be fine. It will be how the group of linemen gel with some inexperience telling the tale. Lineman will start with Overstreet with other incoming Seniors Hermes, Rowe and Sherron. Underclassmen will need to step up in order to control games from both sides of the line. JMO

While I agree with your assessment of the upcoming Ryle class of athletes being Seniors....I have to state what many believe...as do I, that just because you were good as a group at a younger age, it doesn't always translate into Senior success. Beechwoods upcoming Senior class were undefeated as Freshman playing all the big schools....defeating Ryle in the "championship game". Most all of those Freshman have had plenty of varsity experience since then which has resulted in NO state championships....they have been close, but they have not gotten it done...with a hand full of them being starters. They will have to rely on underclassmen to fill some voids and play valuable minutes....My point is that it is not a "given". You are however accurate about this class being full of good athletes at Ryle. Beechwoods win over Cov Cath was a big win.....it is a rivalry game that Beechwood has not faired well in over the past several years. Injuries were factors on both sides. Anytime you are able to win on the road against a rival...its a good win.

I am not a fan of the QB going to the sideline between each play either....I think this years team would have benefited from a quick tempo approach.

Beechwood (during the last 3-4 years that I have closely followed them) relies on pressure up front on the QB to maximize their pass defense...they have always struggled in the secondary. Not sure if it is the "horses" or coaching in that regard....I also agree that things need to be simplified. Seems like too much thinking going on pre snap at times. As far as the Dixie game goes...I believe that adjustments were made...bottom line is that Dixie flat out beat up Beechwoods defense that night. Dixies size, strength and speed at the QB position had them off balance all night.

I agree...however, as a coach I believe you have to instill the mentality into your players...and I think Rash does a good job of doing so. Saying it in public can backfire...which it did. Those players believe that no one outworks them during the off season. After the 0-2 start, they were torn down and built back up again and became a very good football team. I think Rash is a solid motivator. I think there is HUGE respect for Mayfield by the staff....the same as HUGE frustration for not getting the job done. Sometimes you go out on a "limb" that just doesnt hold your weight....and it breaks. Rash is a competitor and sometimes that hurts as much as helps...IMO

Some of you have replied using my posts as reference that I claim that the better team lost the game....Just for clarification purposes, I do not believe I ever made that claim. I have given Mayfield the credit for doing what they needed to do in order to win. Both teams are pretty evenly matched for the most part. They are IMO the best 2 teams in 1A. I do not go back to the 90's with Beechwood, only the last 3 or 4 as far as following them closely. Mayfield has been the better team at times.....I do not buy in to the fact that this year they are clearly better as some like to say. This year it could have gone either way. As far as the Frankfort comments....stemming from last year, They out played Beechwood physically and won the game, that was quite the environment for a game of that caliber. Most BW fans didn't expect what they got from Frankfort...which was a pounding. Yeah, throw in some questionable play calling and penalties...and the faithful made some excuses....none from me. Bottom line from last weeks game...as has been stated before...Mayfield made the plays to win the game, Beechwood did not.

I get that....

How is McKown DL not on the list???? from Beechwood

I was not making the claim that Beechwood was better....only trying to point out that BOTH teams had their own "strong suit" during this game...Beechwood got down early and fast, based on mistakes...and Mayfield capitalizing on them. Mayfield could not run the ball, nor could they defend the run consistently....which ultimately made this anyones game in the 4th quarter...Beechwood down by 4 with 9 minutes left and driving for what could have been the winning score. Mayfield made the plays to win the game with forcing another turnover. They made the plays that they needed to make and Beechwood didnt. Based on that game....IMO Im not going to give either team the "better team" nod....they are both "better teams".

I agree with many of the points made....simplification is the key....the passing game has to be a part of the offense, they have had the weapons and will have some next year. I believe that you need to work towards your strengths....mold the offense to what you do best. I think Fieger is best when rolling out or in a moving pocket with quick releases...JMO. It just seemed to long and drawn out at times with the route tree's....more balanced play calling is also a key. I think they did a great job this year vs. last year in the play calling. Post #78 says some more....

I believe that they will all return for the Senior year with FINISHING on their mind. This group of Juniors were apart of a Freshman Championship, 2 regional championships (frosh and this year), District Championship team last year, and are primed to complete the "full house" with a State title next year as Seniors.

Great observation and well said....good luck to the Cards.

I think the passing game took a back seat to the "jam it down your throats" mentality late in the year....because we can....and we did for the most part. The passing game needs to be simplified...in order to execute every play....not just most plays. I feel like Fieger is at his best on the short and mid range routes that are based on timing. He is a tremendous athlete who has the ability to make things happen at times...however, it just seemed to complicated at times...Stringer ran hard this year, didnt look to bounce everything outside. Would have liked to see more of him in the passing system. The run vs pass ratio needs to improve. I am checked out on "imposing your will" on a team...but, you have to make a team defend both in order to be top notch. BW is able to do both and will next year....a better mix and a simplified plan should make a difference.

VOR...I will attempt to steer this back for you...Beechwood will have a lot of off season work to do to make it back to this point next year in my opinion. Losing a lot of Seniors and experience. I am not so worried about skill positions..I think they will be fine. The Oline and Dline will be the thing to watch....with Combs and Overstreet the only 2 starters returning. They have some capable kids moving up in Hermes, Rowe, Benson...but some of they younger ones will have to step up....Campbell, Talley..etc. Soward, Burns, Justice and Everett will have to contribute a ton. I know Im missing some...Fieger, Slusher, Stringer all return. Losing Studer will hurt as well as McKown, Etler, The Bright bros, Erdman, and Stokes. It will take some time to get things worked out for this current group of Juniors...The underclassmen are going to have to step up big time. Should be a big off season in the weight room. I look forward to a new beginning in the spring.

I not so sure that the "better team" debate can be had....Beechwood handled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball all night, Beechwood was able to run the ball on a defense that doesn't allow the run. They controlled the Mayfield running game that know one else could do. The difference is that Mayfield made plays that Beechwood did not make. They had big play scores, they won the turn over battle and capitalized on Beechwood mistakes. Mayfield is an awesome team, worthy of a State champion.....Beechwood did not play its best game and it cost them. Credit goes to Mayfield for making the plays when they had the chance. Being a Beechwood fan, I am sad for the boys...however, the sun will come up tomorrow. Great year Tigers.