HENDERSONVILLE — Stop me if you’ve heard this before — the Beech Buccaneers are headed to the second round of the TSSAA Playoffs.
The Bucs have advanced to the second round of the TSSAA Playoffs every year since 2014.
In their latest round one installment, Beech rolled past visiting Overton out of Region 6-6A Friday night, 42-20.
The Buccaneer’s defense forced Overton into four turnovers, two interceptions from Tyler Nix, and two fumbles, one recovered by Darius Johnson and the other by JP Courtney.
The win improves Beech to 8-3 on the season and gets them another home playoff game after Clarksville upset Cane Ridge in their matchup.
Defensively the Bucs limited Overton quarterback Ryder Hagan to only intermediate routes, with their longest pass play coming on a 45 yard strike to Delanie Majors.
“I think we had a good plan defensively,” Beech head coach Anthony Crabtree said. “I thought our guys did a good job of getting pressure on their quarterback and a nice job of taking away their short game.”
Despite not having Patrick Hill carry the football Friday night, Crabtree was pleased with his younger backs and what they showed on offense.
“They played hard,” he said. “There is still some learning about the scheme that needs to happen, but Tysean Parks has done an excellent job of stepping in. Darius (Johnson) and JP (Courtney) have also done a good job of filling in.”
Parks led the backs with 84 yards.
Courtney finished with 25 yards on four carries while Johnson ran for a 3 yard touchdown in the third frame.
Seniors Andrew Paige and Jackson Long paced the Bucs through the air as they both scored touchdowns from quarterback Jackson Ford, who finished with unofficially 203 yards and three touchdowns.
“Jackson (Ford) played well tonight,” Crabtree said. “Overall, I felt like tonight was one of his better nights, and so I just hope he keeps progressing and getting better.”
Long led all receivers with 82 yards, including a 49 yard touchdown catch and run, followed by Paige’s 62 total yards and Errin Jolley’s 45 yards. Jolley also secured his first touchdown catch of the season Friday night in the corner of the end zone to put the Bucs up 14-0 in the first quarter.
“I knew I could take advantage of their corners tonight,” Paige said. “No. 11 usually plays safety, and tonight he was lined up at corner, so I knew I could I could take my chances.”
In attendance Friday night were two college recruiters from Ohio University and Middle Tennessee State University. While the recruiters could not say who they were in attendance to see, it’s safe to say Paige and Long are on their radar.
“I notice them,” Paige said. “Seeing them makes me want to play harder and show why I would be a good fit for their program.”
Paige, an uncommitted prospect, recently added an offer from Ohio University.
“I’m still waiting on a couple of schools, but I like Ohio, and I plan on taking an official visit,” he said.
Long is committed to Tulane University.
Beech finished with 336 yards of total offense, unofficially.
As previously mentioned, Beech will welcome Clarksville to Shackle Island for a rematch from their Week 4 contest that ended in a 40-7 win for Beech.
“They are not the same team they were back when we played them earlier this season,” Paige said. “This week, it’s all about staying focused.”
Crabtree echoed his senior’s comments:
“Clarksville is a team that when they are healthy is pretty good,” he said. “Any time you play a team that you beat handily already, you have to make sure your guys know round two isn’t going to be a cakewalk. Clarksville is well-coached, and we will need to play a great game to give ourselves a chance to win.”
Scoring Summary
First QuarterB — Jackson Ford 49 yard TD pass to Jackson Long (Nik Krall XP), 7-0 — 10:11
B — Ford 22 yard TD pass to Errin Jolley (Krall XP), 14-0, 5:53
B — Andrew Paige 13 yard rushing TD (Krall XP), 21-0, 5:13
Second Quarter
O — Jevan Edmondson 6 yard rushing TD (XP good), 21-7, 9:45
B — Jackson Ford 14 yard TD pass to Paige (Krall XP), 28-7, 5:29
Third Quarter
O — Ryder Hagan 28 yard TD pass to Caleb Johnson (XP good), 28-14, 9:48
B — Trent Sheely 1 yard TD run (Krall XP), 35-14, 6:44
B — Darius Johnson 3 yard TD run (Krall XP), 42-14, 3:33
Fourth Quarter
O — Jevan Edmondson 49 yard TD catch from Hagan (XP no good), 42-20, :15
Final: Beech 42, Overton 20
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