The NKyTribune is offering focused coverage of NKY high school football throughout the season, thanks to support from St. Elizabeth Healthcare Sports Medicine. See all our pre-season features on each of NKY’s 21 high school football teams and follow our coverage, including roundups each week at Northern Kentucky High School Football.
By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Beechwood football team has created quite a stir by making it to the Class 1A state championship game. The last time the Tigers played for a state title was 2008 so this is a first-time thrill for the current students at the small suburban school.
“It’s just great for the kids and the community and all our staff, me included,” said head coach Noel Rash. “Most of all, it’s great for the players. I always focus on the seniors because you don’t get these opportunities back. I’m just really excited for them.”
The seniors on Beechwood’s roster will be playing their final game together on Thursday when the Tigers take on Pikeville in the Class 1A state championship final at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CST, which is 8 p.m. locally.
Unfortunately, one of Beechwood’s top seniors will be watching the big game from the sideline. Ethan Stringer, the team’s leading rusher, suffered a season-ending knee injury three weeks ago. The Tigers also played without middle linebacker Trevor Soward last week, but he’s expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday.
“For our kids to accomplish what they did these last two weeks with those two on the sideline is something pretty special,” Rash said. “I think that says a lot about our other guys stepping up and being ready to play, even though they didn’t get a lot of reps (in practice). It says a lot about their character and their passion to want to do well.”
Beechwood’s coaching staff had to make some adjustments in the offense after losing Stringer. But the Tigers were still able to outscore their last two playoff opponents with seniors Brett Slusher and Kyle Fieger leading the way.
Fieger passed for 402 yards and three touchdowns in those two games. Slusher’s two-game totals included 179 yards rushing, 136 yards receiving and four TDs.
“Everything those two did is because of the guys in front of them (on the offensive line), first of all, ” Rash said. “But I’m still excited about both of them. Whenever we’ve gotten into big situations, they’ve both performed extremely well.”
Beechwood is averaging 406 yards and 46.5 points per game going into the state final. But Pikeville also has a prolific offense that’s averaging 386 yards and 47.5 points.
Pikeville’s leading rusher is senior Daric Pugh with 1,828 yards and 33 touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Wyatt Battaile has completed 68 of 82 passes for 1,162 yards and 17 TDs for the Panthers.
“They want to run the ball to win it, but they’re going to throw when they need to and to keep you off guard,” Rash said. “They’ve got a very talented quarterback. He’s young, but he throws a really good ball. And their running game is exceptional. They’ve got a really strong back (Pugh) who has good speed and plays extremely hard.”
The last time Pikeville played in a Class 1A state final was 1991 and the Panthers lost to Beechwood in that game. That was one of the 11 state championships trophies that Tigers have won and this year’s team wants to add to that collection.
“At this time of year, you’ve got to do a couple things,” Rash said. “If we run the ball well, block and tackle well and don’t turn it over, we’ll be in.”
BEECHWOOD TEAMS IN CLASS 1A STATE FINAL
1974 — Murray 14, Beechwood 0
1984 — Beechwood 35, Paris 26
1991 — Beechwood 34, Pikeville 6
1992 — Beechwood 21, Bardstown 14
1993 — Beechwood 13, Bardstown 12
1994 — Beechwood 18, Murray 16
1995 — Mayfield 28, Beechwood 27
1996 — Beechwood 21, Harrodsburg 14 OT
1997 — Beechwood 26, Harrodsburg 0
1999 — Beechwood 45, Hancock County 22
2002 — Mayfield 14, Beechwood 7
2003 — Danville 42, Beechwood 7
2004 — Beechwood 23, Danville 7
2007 — Beechwood 38, Lexington Christian 35
2008 — Beechwood 14, Hazard 7