St. Henry beat West Carter 25-22 on Friday, Nov. 6, in the KHSAA Class 2A first round, earning the first playoff victory in the football program's history.

The Crusaders, playing just their second varsity season, finished the regular season at 5-5 before traveling to West Carter in the opening round. The three-point win sends St. Henry into the second round against Beechwood, which the Cincinnati Enquirer described as a state title favorite.

The milestone is striking given how recently the program started. St. Henry went 2-9 in its inaugural varsity season in 2025, scoring just 108 points while allowing 418, according to a LINK nky preseason feature published in August.

Head coach Tim Odom's squad more than doubled its win total this fall. Owen Pate, a fullback and nose guard, emerged as the Crusaders' offensive engine during the regular season. In a Week 11 loss to Ludlow on Oct. 29, Pate rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries and added 11 tackles and two tackles for loss on defense, according to LINK nky's weekly standouts report.

In that same August feature, Pate acknowledged the challenge of Year 2. "I would just say we know what to do more," he said. "It's, like, the same level of competitiveness with the other teams, but we just have more footing now this year."

That footing carried St. Henry into the postseason and through it.

Beechwood looms

The reward for the Crusaders' breakthrough is a second-round matchup against Beechwood, which advanced by forfeit. The Tigers finished the regular season 10-0, outscoring opponents 546-51, an average winning margin of 49.7 points, according to LINK nky.

Beechwood already dismantled St. Henry once this season. The Tigers won 62-0 when the two teams met Oct. 9, according to St. Henry Athletics' account on X.

Coach Noel Rash returned to the Beechwood sideline this season after three years away. He won eight state championships during his first 17 seasons leading Beechwood, according to LINK nky's preseason preview. The Tigers have 18 state titles in the trophy case and entered 2026 chasing No. 19.

Beechwood's roster features Wake Forest commit Emmett Queen at quarterback, who threw for more than 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2025, and Kentucky commit Tyler Fryman at receiver and defensive back. Kicker Jack Mercer led the state in extra-point attempts with 72 and makes with 68 during the regular season.

St. Henry visits Beechwood on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m.