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Defense, special teams playing key role in Beechwood’s bid for another Class 1A football title


By Evan Merrill
NKyTribune reporter

For the fourth straight season, Beechwood football coach Noel Rash is preparing his team for a Class 1A state semifinal game. The Tigers will go on road to face Campbellsville at 7:30 p.m. Friday with the winner advancing to next week’s championship final.

Beechwood coach Noel Rash has taken the Tigers to the Class 1A state semifinals for the fourth straight year. (Photo by Michelle Dietz)

Beechwood won last year’s state title and the Tigers are favored to do it again. They’ve excelled late in the season, winning their last six games by an average margin of 44 points. In those six victories, the defense has given up only 33 points for a 5.5 average.

“Those numbers reveal some truths,” coach Rash said, “but the fact is our defense is playing really well because we run the ball so well on offense we eat a lot of clock.”

“Our defense plays very fast, very physical,” the coach added. “Our front seven have basically shut down the run and our secondary. We returned four three-year starters. That combination of those two things have led to shutouts, people not scoring a lot of points.”

In the last three games, Beechwood’s defense has intercepted four passes and recovered three fumbles. Senior defensive back Elijah McKenney picked off two passes in last week’s playoff game against Kentucky Country Day that set up touchdowns on the ensuing offensive possessions.

Supplementing the Tigers’ stingy defense is their special teams. In the victory over Kentucky Country Day last week, they scored on a blocked punt and had a long punt return that set up another touchdown.

“I will say this, we probably spend more time on special teams than a lot of NFL teams,” coach Rash said. “We feel like it’s a catalyst for us, at any level, but certainly in 1A football, it’s a huge catalyst. That’s a phase in the game we feel gets glossed over at our level and we want to make sure we never do that.”

The Tigers’ next challenge is a Campbellsville team that averaged 47.7 points in  three playoff games behind a potent rushing attack. The Eagles have rushed for 2,613 yards this season. The team leader is senior Devonte Cubit with 1,408 yards and 23 touchdowns.

“Slowing them down and containing them, that’s the key,” coach Rash said. “They are F-A-S-T at a lot of positions. You have to contain their speed, you do that with team defense and being disciplined. This time of year in November in the Midwest, you better be able to run the ball, stop the run and be able to hold on to the football. If we do those three things, we’ll be in the game.”

If the Tigers come out on top Friday, they’ll be one win away from claiming their 13th state championship overall and the fourth since Rash became head coach.

“I love my kids, I love my players,” the coach said. “I look forward to them getting a chance to do this again, playing in a state semifinal game. I’m excited for them.”


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