Beechwood finished its regular season 10-0 and locked down the top seed from Class 2A District 5, released Wednesday by LinkNKY.

The Tigers collected 15 of 16 first-place votes and 159 total points. Owensboro Catholic (9-1) finished second with one first-place vote and 142 points.

The 18-time state champions outscored opponents 548-51 across 10 games, according to Local 12. It is Beechwood's first undefeated regular season since 2021.

The Fort Mitchell school closed the schedule Oct. 30 with a 62-6 win at Campbell County, the sixth straight game Beechwood finished with a running clock, the NKY Tribune reported.

Head coach Noel Rash, who returned to the Beechwood sideline this season after three years away, told the NKY Tribune he was pleased with how his team handled the Campbell County game.

Playoff path

Beechwood has a first-round bye in the Class 2A playoffs after Morgan County withdrew from the bracket, according to the NKY Tribune's playoff preview. The Tigers will face the winner of the St. Henry (5-5) at West Carter (3-7) first-round game in the second round Nov. 13.

The KHSAA first round runs Nov. 5-7, with the second round Nov. 13, regional finals Nov. 20, semifinals Nov. 27 and state finals Dec. 4-5 at Kroger Field in Lexington, according to Stateline Sports Network.

Beechwood is one of nine unbeaten teams statewide entering the playoffs, Stateline reported. The Tigers are the No. 1 seed in Class 2A Region 3.

Dominant season

Only one opponent came within a score of the Tigers all year. Beechwood beat Covington Catholic 42-35 in what the Cincinnati Enquirer called the closest game on the schedule. The next-closest margin was a 41-3 win over Dixie Heights, the Enquirer reported.

Beechwood also beat Class 6A Simon Kenton 41-0 and Ohio's Indian Hill 42-0 in the season opener Aug. 28 in Fort Mitchell. Nathan Pabst returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in that game and scored three times, according to LinkNKY's game coverage.

Rash compiled a 193-46 record in 17 previous seasons at Beechwood, winning eight state championships, according to the NKY Tribune's preseason preview. He returned after stints helping out at Holmes and serving a season as Conner's head coach.

Area teams in the bracket

St. Henry opens at West Carter on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Class 2A bracket. Dixie Heights (4-6) hosts Collins (7-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Class 5A bracket, according to the NKY Tribune.

Beechwood's second-round game Nov. 13 will be the Tigers' first live playoff action of the postseason.