LEXINGTON, Kentucky – The Beechwood Tigers dominated the outmatched Raceland Rams on their way to a second consecutive Class 1A state championship and fourth for head coach Noel Rash on Friday.
But Rash said it never gets old hat.
“These moments are rare. They haven’t been rare for (the last) three years, but they can be taken away at any moment,” Rash said after his team's 41-0 victory at the University of Kentucky's Kroger Field.
“This is the most special time in these kids' lives and my life. I’m just excited about being here and win this thing.”
BEECHWOOD’S Noel Rash 🏈
Back-to-Back and Back-to-Back
4 State Championships pic.twitter.com/GyiO3OZTTP— BEECHWOOD Athletes (@BEECHWOODSports) December 2, 2017
The title was the 13th in school history, and the school honored its 12-2 team in a ceremony after the game.
Great post celebration of our 2017 Class A State Champs!! #wearebeechwood #statechamps pic.twitter.com/ESZII1IMF6
— BeechwoodTigers (@beechwood_tiger) December 2, 2017
Raceland, making its first ever championship game appearance, implemented a game plan on defense to stop the run. James Davis rushed for 199 yards last week against Campbellsville and the Rams (10-5) were determined to not allow that to happen in the title game.
Raceland loaded the box and played receivers in man-to-man coverage.
2017 @RussellAthletic / KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl 1A Championship - Beechwood vs Raceland - https://t.co/eNhD3tClr3 #khsfb #MyReasonWhy pic.twitter.com/Ukbaz3eifM
— KHSAA Events (@khsaaevents) December 1, 2017
Beechwood took advantage of that scheme by turning to its high powered passing game. Wide receiver Daniel Mescher led the way with 12 receptions, 118 yards and one touchdown. Mescher also kicked two field goals and five extra points on his way to earning the game’s Most Valuable Player honors.
“I’m really happy going back-to-back," said Mescher. "This all goes to my teammates. It’s family, more than just football, it’s about friends and family. To leave it all out there (on the field) is just incredible,”
Quarterback Brayden Burch engineered the passing attack, going 22-for-30 with 186 yards and one touchdown.
Beechwood quarterback Brayden Burch: “I can’t take this smile off my face. I still have butterflies thinking about this and I’m gonna have another ring on my finger.”https://t.co/R0su83Vc01 pic.twitter.com/OU3CLUaOSp
— Tyler Mansfield (@_tylermansfield) December 1, 2017
“That just show’s that our offense is very versatile," Burch said. "If they want to stop the run, we’ll throw against them. If they want to stop the pass, we’ll just hand it to James Davis and let him play,”
Davis still ran for 88 yards on 24 carries and scored three touchdowns. Logan Castleman also rushed for a TD.
Chocolate Milk Recover & Rebuild Award (leading rusher) - 1A Championship - James Davis, Beechwood #khsfb @sedairy pic.twitter.com/smK1WBYoyI
— KHSAA Events (@khsaaevents) December 1, 2017
The Tigers defense was even more dominant than its offense. Beechwood held Raceland to just 27 yards of total offense and three first downs. Harrison Heist led the team with six tackles, including two for loss. Robbie Cottingham, Josh Derry and Tyler Donoho were also credited with tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Jake Moore had an interception and Jayden Boggs forced a fumble and Seth Brooks recovered it.
The Tigers' special teams also came up with a big play when Gage Dollenmeyer forced a fumble on a kickoff and recovered it.
This season marks the first round of football state championship games being played in Lexington since 1976. Attendance the game was announced at 7,103 which is a record for a Class A title game since the state went to the six-class format in 2007.
Tigers win 41-0 against Raceland!!!!! CLASS ‘A’ STATE CHAMPS!!! #wearebeechwood #TTS pic.twitter.com/1phoDojzip
— BeechwoodTigers (@beechwood_tiger) December 1, 2017
Undefeated Covington Catholic will try to bring its seventh state title home to Northern Kentucky Saturday night in the Class 5A final against Madison Southern.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Beechwood 7-17-3-14 – 41
Raceland 0-0-0-0 – 0
SCORING PLAYS
B – James Davis 1-yard TD run. (Daniel Mescher kick).
B – Daniel Mescher 37-yard FG.
B – Logan Castleman 2-yard TD run (Daniel Mescher kick).
B – Daniel Mescher 8-yard TD catch from Brayden Burch (Daniel Mescher kick
B – Daniel Mescher 20-yard FG.
B – James Davis 1-yard TD run (Daniel Mescher kick).
B – James Davis 5-yard TD run (Daniel Mescher kick).
RECORDS: Beechwood (12-2); Raceland (10-5)
