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Preview: Simon Kenton at #22 Beechwood

Simon Kenton OL Jake Puthoff (photo by: Chris Granger / X: @regnargc)

It’s off to Kentucky for the Blitz 5 Game of the Week as the Simon Kenton Pioneers try to spoil Beechwood’s fun and end the Tigers current 13-game winning streak. It should be a highly entertaining affair as both teams can put points on the scoreboard in a hurry.

SIMON KENTON PIONEERS (1-1) at #22 BEECHWOOD TIGERS (3-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., September 8, 2023
Edgar McNabb Field
Follow on X: @TSFootball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: It all starts up front on offense for Simon Kenton behind University of Kentucky commit Alba Selm and All-NKY performer Jake Puthoff. Selm has also been a force on defense with four tackles for losses. Pioneers’ junior running back Durrell Turner is on the cusp of being a star. He has 147 yards rushing through the first two contests. Classmate Brady Lee is still finding his way at quarterback, but has shown promise.

The Beechwood offense is fueled by junior quarterback Clay Hayden, who threw for seven touchdowns in last week’s thrilling victory over Dixie Heights. In his last 13 games, Hayden has thrown for 2,850 yards with 34 touchdown passes (13 this season) and just four interceptions. His top target in 2023 has been classmate Luke Erdman, who is averaging 20.1 yards on 20 receptions with six touchdown catches. Chase Flaherty adds balance in the run game where he has run for 23 touchdowns since the beginning of 2022. The Tigers are led on defense by fifth-year senior Xavier Campbell, who is one of the best linemen on both sides of the ball in the Bluegrass State. Campbell is a two-time TriStateFootball Northern Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year finalist. 

TEAM TRENDS: Since head coach Roy Lucas Jr. took over at Simon Kenton (for a second time) at the beginning of the 2022 season, the Pioneers have averaged 33.7 points per contest. They have yet to score more than 29 points in a game this fall.

During its current 13-game winning streak Beechwood has lit up the scoreboard posting 48 points or more eight times. The Tigers are averaging 43.6 per game in that span including 43.3 points per game this season.

Beechwood is on a quest for its fourth straight state championship and seventh in the last eight years. The Tigers also won four titles in a row from 1991-94.

HEAD COACHES
Simon Kenton: Roy Lucas Jr. (17-27 at Simon Kenton, fifth year; 78-93 overall, 15th year overall) 

Beechwood: Jay Volker (3-0 at Beechwood, first year; 6-16 overall, 3rd year) 

PLAYOFF HISTORY
Simon Kenton
State Runner-up (one) – 2008 (6A).

Beechwood
State Champion (17) – 2022 (2A), 2021 (2A), 2020 (2A), 2018 (1A), 2017 (1A), 2016 (1A), 2008 (1A), 2007 (1A), 2004 (1A), 1999 (1A), 1997 (1A), 1996 (1A), 1994 (1A), 1993 (1A), 1992 (1A), 1991 (1A) & 1984 (1A).State Runner-up (five) – 2015 (1A), 2003 (1A), 2002 (1A), 1995 (1A) & 1974 (1A).

SIMON KENTON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Pioneers’ defense needs to take a step forward. Things will favor Beechwood if this game gets into a shootout. Simon Kenton must establish the run behind that big and veteran offensive line to milk the clock and keep the Tigers’ offense off of the field. It is something they couldn’t do after getting down big to Covington Catholic last Friday.

BEECHWOOD’S KEYS TO VICTORY: This is a big test for the Tigers to see how they react after last week’s physically and mentally tiring 49-48 overtime win over Dixie Heights. Look for Beechwood to really feed off the crowd in its first home game of the year. That energy will play a factor in the outcome of this affair.

Prediction: Beechwood 31, Simon Kenton 28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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