A year ago, Owensboro Catholic’s quest for a state title came to an abrupt end in the finals to Beechwood. Tonight, the Aces who have returned to the 2A semi-finals for a third straight year, with have an opportunity to avenge last year’s loss, hosting the Tigers.
“Beechwood is just who they are,” Owensboro Catholic Jason Morris said. “There’s a lot of tradition, and you can just tell it is a football town, a football place, and a football school. They are really good at what they do in all aspects of football, and they do everything at a high level.”
Beechwood boasts the top-ranked offense and defense in 2A, averaging 50 points a game, while only allowing 7.2 points per game. The Aces have the fourth-ranked total defense, allowing a meager 13.6 points per game, and are tied for the sixth-ranked offense, averaging 42.5 points per game.
Beechwood’s offense runs through QB Emmett Queen, who has thrown for 2,388 yards and 36 touchdowns, against only two interceptions. His top target, Tyler Freeman has hauled in 53 receptions for 1,156 yards and 21 touchdowns. Nathan Pabst and Brody Aylor control the run game, combining for 1,174 of the team’s 1,979 rushing yards and 17 of the team’s 33 rushing touchdowns.
“A lot of their production comes from the junior class,” Morris said. “Their top receiver is a junior. Top running back is a junior. Their quarterback is a junior. They do have some seniors who are playing well, but it is a lot of juniors who are very impressive.”
Defensively, Beechwood rank’s second in 2A in interceptions (17), ninth in forced fumbles (9), and 11th in sacks (22). They have only allowed more than seven points once all season, and have shut out opponents four times.
“We have to play a good, clean football game,” Morris said. “There is no way we can go out and spot them 14 points like last year. We have to kind of be like Beechwood in the fact that we have to play good, clean football and make sure we aren’t making self-inflicted mistakes. They are a good enough team that if you do anything to self-destruct, they are going to score points and take advantage of it.”
