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2021 Snapshot: Beechwood

Beechwood QB Cameron Hergott (Photo from Twitter/KHSAA).

It’s just not fair. In 2020, Beechwood won its fourth state championship in the last five years. It was the 15th title for the program, sixth under head coach Noel Rash and first at the Class 2A level (the other 14 were in Class 1A). The Tigers return a large portion of that team. This squad is going to be even better and more polished, than they were, a year ago.

“These young men are talented, but none of that will matter if we do not have the mental toughness needed to carry us through the off-season and each week of the season.  We must continue to develop the TEAM attitude and selflessness so vital to championship teams,” coach Rash states.

Beechwood will be tested early in the season. The Tiger will play one 3A, two 6A and two 5A larger schools in their first six games. They also travel to reigning Class 1A state champion, Paintville, in Week 2. Don’t expect Beechwood to go undefeated but bank on  them to be playing in Week 15.

Class 2A, District 6
2020 RECORD: 11-2, 4-0 Class 2A, District 6
COACH: Noel Rash (166-46 at Beechwood, 15 years; 166-46 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Cameron Hergott, Sr, QB – Reclassified and will replay his senior season again hoping to get better college offers. Hergott, has since verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky. In 2020, he won his second state title in the last three seasons, as the Tigers starting quarterback. He amassed 3,545 yards of total offense (2,467 pass, 1,078 rush) and accounted for 41 touchdowns (26 pass, 15 rush). That performance earned Hergott the pinnacle of honors, KFCA Kentucky Mr. Football. He was also the TriState Football Kentucky Offensive Player of the Year, Class 2A, District 6 Player of the Year, First Team All-NKY and First Team All-TSF. Hergott has 6,214 yards passing, 2,376 yards rushing, 65 touchdown tosses and 34 scores on the ground, in his career.

Luke Slusher, Sr, OL/DL – Has made himself into one of the best offensive linemen in the state. The 6-foot-5, 294-pound Slusher was a Second Team All-NKY (OL) selection, as a junior. He has verbally committed to Western Kentucky.
Player Spotlight: Luke Slusher

Beechwood OL Luke Slusher (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Brady Moore, Sr, WR/DB – One of Beechwoods top two-way players. Moore was named First Team All-NKY (DB) and had 32 receptions for 537 yards and five touchdowns, as a junior. He has 79 receptions for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns, in his career.

Mitch Berger, Jr, RB/LB – One of the premier athletes in northern Kentucky’s Class of 2023. Berger had 41 receptions for 605 yards and found the end zone nine times (five rec, four rush). On defense, he had a pair of interceptions, a sophomore. He was the only player named 2020 First Team NKFCA All-NKY on offense (RB) and defense (LB). He was also an Honorable Mention ALL-TSF (ATH) selection and a TriState Football Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year finalist.

Xavier Campbell, So, OL/DE – A high motor player, who has a relentless appetite to get into opposing backfields. Campbell reclassified and will replay his sophomore season again to bolster his college opportunities. He was a First Team All-NKY (DL) and Honorable Mention All-TSF (DL) selection in 2020. He has five-and-a half sacks and three takeaways (two FRs, one INT), in his career.

OTHER RETURNEES
Parker Mason, Sr, WR/DB – Will be a force in the passing game. Mason had 34 receptions, 468 receiving yards, four touchdown catches and returned a kickoff for a score, as a junior. He has 52 receptions, 832 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns (nine rec, one KR) and two interceptions, in a Tigers uniform.

Bryce Shepherd, Sr, OL/DL – A returning starter that helped pave the way for a Tigers team that averaged 362.4 yards of total offense and found the end zone 57 times last season.

Keaton Durrett, Sr, WR/DB – Should see more touches on offense and will be a key member of the secondary. Durrett had three receptions for 22 yards, as a junior.

Colby Vanderpool, Sr, OL/DE – A returning starter on the o-line. Vanderpool helped protect a passing attack that averaged 209.2 yards per game with 26 touchdown passes in 2020.

Michael Hatfield, Sr, TE/LB – A returning starter for a defense that allowed just 12.7 points per game, a year ago. Hatfield had a sack, an interception, two receptions and a touchdown catch, as a junior.

Avery Courtney, Sr, RB – Has been a rock-solid member of the Beechwood backfield for the past two seasons. Courtney has 920 yards rushing, 11 touchdowns on the ground, 15 receptions and 181 receiving yards, at the varsity level.

Beechwood RB Avery Courtney (photo by Dan Bieneke/TriStateFootball.com)

Liam McCormack, Sr, WR/DB – Can stretch a defense. McCormack averaged 19.2 yards on 15 receptions and had five touchdown catches, as a junior.

Austin Waddell, Jr, OL/LB – Will start on both sides of the line. Waddell had a pick-six against Ryle, last fall.

Torin  O’Shea, Jr, FB/DL – A short yardage, goal line specialist on offense and a hole-plugger on defense. O’Shea has five rushing touchdowns in 24 varsity games.

Tanner Jackson, Sr, TE/DE – Despite playing in just six games as a junior, Jackson showed many glimpses of being special on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-3, 234-pound Jackson had two receptions, both for touchdowns and a pair of sacks.

Adam Gibbs, Sr, OL/DL – A welcomed back addition. Gibbs played in 14 games as a sophomore but missed last season. He is one of the bigger Beechwood linemen at 241-pounds.

Jake Conrad, Sr, K – Will take over kicking duties and should have a big year with this high scoring offense.

Landon Aylor, Jr, RB/DB – Adds depth to the backfield. Aylor has already played in 20 games with 214 yards and a touchdown rushing, heading into his junior year.

Bomani Hughes, Jr, RB/LB – Like Aylor, Hughes heads into his junior year with 20 games under his belt. He will get chances to shine in 2021.

Carson Craycraft, Jr, WR/DB – Played in nine tilts and had an interception to earn his first varsity letter, last fall.

Beechwood RB/LB Mitch Berger (photo by Dan Bieneke/TriStateFootball.com)

2021 SCHEDULE
Sa – 08/21/21 – at Fairdale (7-1 in 2020) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/27/21 – at Paintsville (10-2) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/03/21 – SOMERSET (6-3) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/10/21 – at Simon Kenton (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/17/21 – COVINGTON CATHOLIC (10-2) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/24/21 – BYE
Fri – 10/01/21 – at Dixie Heights (6-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/08/21 – at Holy Cross (2-6) – 7:00 PM*
Fri – 10/15/21 – at Lloyd (4-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/21 – NEWPORT (4-4) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/29/21 – NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC (8-3) – 7:30 PM
*at Thomas More University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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