By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Beechwood making it to the semifinal round of the Kentucky high school football playoffs should come as no surprise. The fact that the Tigers did it with a several varsity newcomers in the lineup is what adds an interesting twist to the success story.
With two sophomores doing most of the scoring, Beechwood defeated West Carter, 42-7, in a Class 2A quarterfinal game on Friday. The Tigers also had two sophomores on the offensive line while the defensive unit often included three sophomores and two freshmen.
“They’re not playing mistake-free by any means,” Beechwood coach Noel Rash said of the young players. “But they’re playing hard and they’re playing smarter than they ever have, and that combination has gotten us to the semifinals.”
This is Beechwood’s first season in Class 2A, but they made it to the Class 1A state semifinals the last five years and won three consecutive state titles.
To keep their playoff streak alive, the Tigers will have to get past another perennial state power. Next Friday, they’ll make a long road trip to Mayfield, a team that won state titles six of the last seven years in both Class 2A and 1A.
Mayfield (12-1) entered the playoffs as the top-seeded team in the Class 2A bracket. Beechwood (8-5) is No. 4 and looking to pull off an upset.
“I’ve believed in our team since the summer,” said Beechwood junior quarterback Cameron Hergott. “We lost a lot of seniors from last year, but we came in and worked our tails off and I think we can win state again. You’ve got to have confidence in your team, and that’s just what I have.”
As the only returning starter on offense, Hergott has played a key role in Beechwood’s success, just like he did in Friday’s win over West Carter. In addition to completing 14 of 18 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, he scored on a 65-yard breakaway run and 1-yard keeper.
“Cameron will be the first one to tell you the offensive line bought him all kinds of space and time,” coach Rash said. “He’s one of the best players in the state so if you can create some opportunities for him great things will happen.”
Sophomore wide receiver Parker Mason caught both of Hergott’s touchdown passes. The other two touchdowns were scored by sophomore running back Avery Courtney, who picked up 74 yards on 15 carries.
“Young talent, that’s how we’ve rolled this year,” Hergott said. “We’ve been doing good and we’ve just got to keep it going.”
Beechwood’s offense finished with 381 yards while the defense limited West Carter to 208. The Comets got their lone touchdown late in the third quarter with the help of three penalties totaling 42 yards called against the Tigers.
“We got off the snap and played fast,” Rash said of his team’s solid defensive performance. “I think that’s what gave them problems, us playing as fast as we did and running to the ball so well collectively.”
The Tigers also had three interceptions with sophomore Brady Moore, junior Cole Stammer and senior Mason Williams each picking off a pass.
BEECHWOOD 7 14 14 7 — 42
WEST CARTER 0 0 7 0 – 7
B — Courtney 12 run (Graman kick)
B — Hergott 1 run (Graman kick)
B — Courtney 1 run (Graman kick)
B — Mason 39 pass from Hergott (Graman kick)
WC — Berry 12 pass from Perry (Wolfe kick)
B — Hergott 65 run (Graman kick)
B — Mason 23 pass from Hergott (Graman kick)
RECORDS: Beechwood 8-5, West Carter 9-4
Friday’s state quarterfinal games
CLASS 1A
Louisville Holy Cross 21, Newport Central Catholic 16
CLASS 2A
Breathitt County 57, Walton-Verona 28
Beechwood 42, West Carter 7
CLASS 4A
Boyle County 55, Scott 0
CLASS 5A
Covington Catholic 49, Madison Southern 9
CLASS 6A
Lexington Tates Creek 47, Simon Kenton 8
Next week’s state semifinal games
CLASS 2A
Beechwood (8-5) at Mayfield (12-1)
CLASS 5A
Bowling Green (9-3) at Covington Catholic (13-0)