Beech Tree News Network

Playoff football is coming to Morgantown tomorrow as the Butler County Bears (7-3) will host the Ballard Memorial Bombers (8-2) in the first round of the KHSAA State Football Playoffs.  Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.
Although the Bears are hosting as a #2 seed in their district and Ballard is coming in at a #3 seed in their's, B.C.H.S. Head Coach Ryan Emmick knows that those designations mean little when playoff season arrives.
"Ballard Memorial is a very good football team at 8-2.  They have excelled this season running the football and play great defense," said Emmick. 
Coach Emmick expects Ballard to be a team of offensive and defensive diversity.   
"Offensively, Ballard is a run-first team but they do a great job mixing in the run.  The Bombers have three running backs that they will use but their home run hitter is #3, a 6'3" 185 lb. speedster they try to get to the edge," said Emmick.  "Their quarterback is an effective and accurate passer who spreads the ball around.  He likes to find #3 but has hit several different receivers throughout the year."
Big and physical are two words Emmick uses to describe the Bombers' defensive squad.
"Defensively, Ballard has a very good defense that is very active.  Their defensive line is big and physical and runs well.  Their defensive backs do a great job in coverage and have had several interceptions throughout the year," said Emmick. 
The coach is looking for an exciting football atmospere on Friday night, along with a big crowd of Butler County fans.
"Overall, this should be a heck of a game.  Its the first-round of the playoffs and we expect everyone to be excited.  We have to come out focused and ready to play," added Emmick. 
The game will be aired live on WLBQ "The New Q" 101.5 FM.  John Embry, Cody Donaldson and Josh Scott will have the call.  The Morgantown Bank & Trust Pre-game Show will start at approximately 6:30 p.m.

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Below is a brief snapshot of Butler County Football playoff history at home (courtesy of former B.C.H.S. Athletic Director and Head Coach Mark Allen): 
November 1991:  BCHS Bears district champs, #1 seed in Class 2A host and lose to #2 seed Caldwell Co.  In that era only the #1, #2 seeds made the playoffs; there was no #3, #4 seeds.
November 2007:  BCHS Bears #2 seed, Class 3A, upset by #3 seed Edmonson County, 35-29.
November 2008:  BCHS Bears #2 seed, Class 2A win over #3 seed Muhlenberg South 40-7, then lost the following week in second round playoff game at Union County.
These are the only three years in the history of BCHS Football, which began in 1966, that BCHS has been either the number #1 seed or the #2 seed and hosted a KHSAA football playoff game. In all other KHSAA football playoff games BCHS has been the road team as either the #3 or #4 seed.