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Undefeated Simon Kenton turns to defense, kicker to knock off Beechwood

High-scoring offense runs out of gas
Undefeated Simon Kenton turns to defense, kicker to knock off Beechwood
Posted at 12:01 AM, Oct 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-07 04:11:51-04

FT. MITCHELL, Ky. - David almost knocked off Goliath, but undefeated 6A Simon Kenton had a secret weapon to help beat 1A Beechwood Friday night.

The high-scoring Pioneers had to turn to their defense and kicker to escape with a 22-14 win and stay unbeaten.

The 7-0 Pioneers, who averaged 53 points in their previous three games, trailed 14-13 in the third quarter.

“We didn’t play our best tonight, but making big plays is the most important thing you can do,” said senior defensive back Brayden Trattles.

Trattles did just, coming up with as big interception on the Beechwood 32-yard line with five minutes to go just after his team had taken the lead.

That interception and a fumble recovery by senior linebacker Justin Sabie made the difference in the game.

Sabie recovered a Beechwood fumble in the end zone on a second-and-goal from the 1-yard line in the first half with the Tigers leading 7-0. If Beechwood had gone ahead 14-0, who knows what would have happened.

“Our defense played big,” said Simon Kenton coach Jeff Marksberry. “You had that takeaway and the Trattles takeaway where he came up big, and those things always make differences in ball games.”  

Beechwood (4-2) gained 157 yards in the first half with 157 yards but only 99 in the second half as the undermanned Tigers wore down after halftime. Senior running back James Davis had 102 yards and both of Beechwood’s touchdowns.

Simon Kenton QB Matt Shearer passed for 187 yards and ran for 77 and both Pioneer touchdowns.

Simon Kenton also showed off a secret weapon. Junior kicker Christian Seger hit three field goals  after making just one in six previous games when Simon Kenton was rolling up touchdowns.

“Christian came through big for us tonight,” said Marksberry. “He’s got some skills and he can really kick the football and it’s nice for us to know that he’s dependable and can get us three points.”

Seger is also the leading goal scorer for Simon Kenton’s soccer team.

“A lot of people say it’s really different, but I just kick the ball the same,” said Seger.  “All my soccer friends say that’s why I shank some kicks over the net.”

In the end, it was a game that will benefit both teams.

Beechwood showed it can play with a very good team that has much greater numbers than anyone it will face in the postseason, and Simon Kenton got the win while having to play until the final snap for a second straight week.

“I like the fact that our kids have responded two weeks in a row to pull victories out when we could have just as easily lost,” said Marksberry.

Simon Kenton 0 10 3 9 22
Beechwood 7 0 0 7 14

B Davis 3 run (Mescher kick)
S Shearer 8 run (Seger kick)
S Seger 34 field goal
S Seger 22 field goal
B Davis 14 run (Mescher kick)
S Shearer 1 run (2 pt fail)
S Seger 31 field goal

RECORDS: Simon Kenton (7-0); Beechwood (4-2)
UP NEXT: Simon Kenton @ Boone County (1-5); Beechwood @ Bellevue (4-2)