Beechwood surives shootout

By Brandon Lampley
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Updated: September 9, 2023

Beechwood QB Clay Hayden (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Freshman Tyler Fryman helped Beechwood extend its win streak to 14 Friday night as Simon Kenton visited the Tigers looking to pull a big upset in Kentucky high school football.

FORT MITCHELL, Kentucky – A standing room only crowd watched Friday night as the Tigers of Beechwood hosted the Simon Kenton Pioneers. Both teams came out prepared and ready for a battle and it showed on the gridiron. The Pioneers were seen as underdogs but certainly did not play like it as they stayed step for step with the Tigers all night. Both offenses were hot and made it tough on the opposing defense. In the end it was Beechwood who came away with a 58-54 victory.

Beechwood started things as they have all season long. Imploring their air raid offense, Tigers quarterback Clay Hayden came out firing. He connected with several of his talented wideouts on the first series before finding James Cusick for a 40-yard score and a 7-0 lead. The Pioneers would respond quickly. Simon Kenton used a hurry up offense to consistently catch the Tigers’ defense lacking. Brady Lee led his team down the field and was able to find freshman Tyson Weaver on a 26-yard fade to the corner of the endzone and the game was tied.

Next it was Hayden going back to work. He cut up the Pioneer defense on another drive, this time finding Tyler Fryman on a TD. The extra point was missed, and Beechwood led 13-7. The lead was short lived however as SK struck quickly once again. Lee found Weaver for a big game and Lee would take one in himself from three yards out. After the extra point, Simon Kenton suddenly had a 14-13 lead. The Tigers however would respond in a big way.

Beechwood WR Tyler Fryman (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Luke Erdman took a Hayden pass 56 yards for a quick score to regain the lead at 20-14. SK would go back on the offensive, but a tipped ball was picked off by the Tigers to stop the drive. Shawn Sowder got the interception. The Pioneers defense would respond with a stop but the ensuing punt was muffed and recovered by Beechwood. Hayden would lead a short drive and score on a quarterback sneak to end the half. Beechwood led 27-14 at the break.

The Beechwood defense would start the half with a stop to get their offense back on the field and it didn’t take long for them to strike again. Hayden went deep and found Fryman for an 81-yard score to blow the game open early in the third quarter. The lead was 34-14. Simon Kenton would not go quietly however. The Pioneers made their next drive a solid one moving the ball well. Durrell Turner took the handoff 35 yards for a touchdown to get the Pioneers back within striking distance.

Simon kenton RB Durell Turner (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

After a stop, SK was back at it offensively. Another quick drive via the hurry up and Landon Brown punched one in from four yards out and it was suddenly a one possession game midway through the third. After a Colson Lair 42-yard field goal, Durrell Turner turned it up again for SK. He took one in from six yards out after a tough drive. The PAT was blocked.

Beechwood needed to respond and it was Hayden hooking up with Fryman for a touchdown for the third time. The 47-yard touchdown pass once again extended the lead for Beechwood. Turner again responded after another solid drive. He took the handoff around the left side for a 10-yard score. In the end, Beechwood was just too much. The Tigers took the ball down the field once again and Fryman took the wildcat snap and dove into the endzone for his fourth score of the night. Turner added a 46-yard score and 2-point conversion but the Tigers would hold on for the win after the onside kick was illegally touched. Luke Erdman put the nail in the coffin with a final touchdown run.

PHOTOS: Simon Kenton at Beechwood

SCORING BY QUARTERS
Simon Kenton 7-7-14-26-54
Beechwood 7-20-10-21-58

SCORING PLAYS
B: James Cusick 40-yard pass from Clay Hayden (Colson Lair kick)
S: Tyson Weaver 26-yard pass from Brady Lee (Cole Garnett kick)
B: Tyler Fryman pass from Hayden (kick failed)
S: Brady Lee 3-yard rush (Garnett kick)
B: Luke Erdmann 56-yard pass from Hayden (Lair kick)
B: Clay Hayden 1-yard rush (Lair kick)
B: Tyler Fryman 81-yard pass from Hayden (Lair kick)
S: Durrell Turner 35-yard rush (Garnett kick)
S: Landon Brown 4-yard rush (Garnett kick)
B: Colson Lair 42-yard field goal
S: Durrell Turner 6- yard rush (kick failed)
B: Tyler Fryman 47-yard pass from Hayden (Lair kick)
S: Durell Turner 10-yard rush (kick failed)
B: Tyler Fryman 4-yard rush (Lair kick)
S: Durrell Turner 46-yard rush (conversion good)
B: Luke Erdman 49-yard rush (Lair kick)
S: Carter Blades 6-yard pass from Lee (conversion failed)