Louisville, Kentucky
December 6 & 7, 2002
©2002 by Ron Harrison
Class A Championship
Beechwood (12-2) vs. Mayfield (14-0) December 6, 2002
Coach Mike Yeagle led the Beechwood Tigers to seven state titles in the 1990s but took a medical leave of absence this season and longtime assistant Bob Burnett took over at the helm. Beechwood had a 2-2 slate after the first four games but after ten consecutive victories find themselves in their eleventh Class A championship game. These teams met in 1995 for the Class A championship with Mayfield claiming a 28-27 victory. The Beechwood ground attack has been led by Phil Ridgell with 1065 yards and nine touchdowns on 143 carries. Kevin Martella carried the ball 146 times for 755 yards and eight scores. QB Jeff Wera has completed 117 of 210 passes for 1786 yards and 18 touchdowns. Chase Weber has 40 receptions for 694 yards and eight TDs.
Mayfield is no stranger to title games as they are 5-5 in Class 2A championships and 1-1 in Class A title matches. The Cardinals have rolled to a 14-0 record this year and have held their opponents to 7.9 points per game. Derrick Parrott has carried the ball 238 times for 1598 yards and 25 touchdowns. Parrott has also caught 18 passes for 259 yards and three scores. Mitchell Dumas has rushed for 938 yards and 12 TDs on 127 rushing attempts. QB Greg Cook has completed 70 of 129 passes for 1316 yards and 17 TD passes. Cook has only had one pass intercepted this season. Jerome Saxton has caught 31 passes for 742 yards and 12 scores. The Cardinals have been led on defense by LB Jay Burgett with 91 solo and 56 assisted tackles.
Mayfield recovered a fumbled punt return on the Beechwood 26 yard line which led to a Derrick Parrott one yard TD to give the Cardinals a 14-7 victory. Mayfield took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 64 yard pass play from Greg Cook to Jerome Saxton. Beechwood had trouble getting their offense on track all day but finally tied the score at 7-7 in the third quarter as Kevin Martella took the direct snap on a fake punt and ran 18 yards for the score. The score remained at 7-7 until Parrott scored with 2:28 remaining on the clock. Beechwood had one last opportunity but fumbled and Mayfield recovered on the Beechwood 40 yard line. Mayfield kept the ball on the ground for five consecutive plays and ran out the clock.
Mayfield was led by Derrick Parrott who carried the ball 33 times for 157 yards and a TD. QB Greg Cook completed nine of 11 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Jerome Saxton caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Beechwood was led by Kevin Martella who gained 88 yards and a touchdown on 11 rushing attempts. Mayfield held a 334-192 yard edge in total offense.
Scoring Summary
| Mayfield | 14 | Beechwood | 7 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Beechwood | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Mayfield | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| M | - Jerome Saxton 64 yard pass from Greg Cook (Adam Ivey kick) |
| B | - Kevin Martella 18 yard run (Chase Weber kick) |
| M | - Derrick Parrott 1 yard run (Ivey kick) |
Selected Statistics
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| Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | |
| Kevin Martella | 11 | 88 | 8.0 | 22 | Derrick Parrott | 33 | 157 | 4.8 | 24 | |
| Phillip Ridgell | 5 | 22 | 4.4 | 18 | Mitchell Dumas | 12 | 36 | 3.0 | 9 | |
| Chase Weber | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 14 | Greg Cook | 3 | 2 | 0.7 | 12 | |
| Jeff Wera | 7 | 13 | 1.9 | 7 | Jay Burgett | 1 | -2 | -2.0 | 0 | |
| Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Jeff Wera | 18-6-0 | 55 | 0 | 18 | Greg Cook | 11-9-0 | 141 | 1 | 64 | |
| Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Dustin Menetrey | 2 | 23 | 0 | 18 | Jerome Saxton | 5 | 101 | 1 | 64 | |
| Chase Weber | 2 | 18 | 0 | 9 | Derrick Parrott | 2 | 28 | 0 | 23 | |
| Andrew Daniels | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | Jacob Shelton | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | |
| Nathan Kapsal | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | Mitchell Dumas | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Class 2A Championship
Breathitt County (14-0) vs. Corbin (11-3) December 6, 2002
Coach Mike Holcomb has won 2A championships in 1995 and 1996 with the Breathitt County Bobcats and this year's edition has the high octane offense (49.6 ppg) to add a third title. QB Justin Haddix has completed 250 of 374 passes for 4110 yards and an incredible 55 scoring strikes. Courtney Johnson has 67 receptions for 1151 yards and 18 touchdowns. Dustin Barnett has caught 55 passes for 819 yards and seven scores. Haddix has also rushed for 1073 yards and 19 touchdowns on 143 rushing attempts.
Coach Steve Jewell's Corbin Redhounds lost three of their first five games but have rolled to nine straight victories on their way to the title game. Jarrod Lawson has led the ground attack with 1854 yards and 27 touchdowns on 305 carries. QB Jeremy Brock has completed 127 of 231 passes for 1645 yards and 10 scoring strikes. Justin Barton has 41 receptions for 602 yards and four touchdowns. Isaac Mills caught 38 passes for 529 yards and three scores. LB Jeremy Ware has recorded 53 solo and 64 assisted tackles.
Breathitt County dominated this game on their way to a 51-0 win and their third state championship. They held a 319-58 edge in total offense, recovered three fumbles, and intercepted two passes. QB Justin Haddix completed 20 of 36 passes for 249 yards and three TD passes. Haddix threw for 58 TDs this season, breaking the state record which had been held by Chris Redman with 57 scoring strikes. Dustin Barnett caught six passes for 82 yards and a TD and Courtney Johnson added five receptions for 66 yards and a score. Haddix also added 42 yards and two TDs on the ground. Corbin was led by Jarrod Lawson with 62 yards on 18 rushing attempts. Jeremy Ware had a good defensive effort for the Redhounds, recording nine solo and one assisted tackles. Three of his tackles were for losses and he recorded two sacks.
Scoring Summary
| Breathitt County | 51 | Corbin | 0 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Breathitt County | 14 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 51 |
| Corbin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BC | - Brandon Thomas 47 yard punt return (David Little kick) |
| BC | - Justin Haddix 1 yard run (Little kick) |
| BC | - Darren Back 2 yard run (Little kick) |
| BC | - Dustin Barnett 7 yard pass from Haddix (kick fails) |
| BC | - Courtney Johnson 4 yard run (kick fails) |
| BC | - Haddix 1 yard run (pass fails) |
| BC | - Johnson 6 yard pass from Haddix (kick fails) |
| BC | - Thomas 22 yard pass from Haddix (kick blocked) |
Selected Statistics
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| Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | |
| Justin Haddix | 15 | 42 | 2.8 | 20 | Jarrod Lawson | 18 | 62 | 3.4 | 19 | |
| Brandon Thomas | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 | Justin Moore | 4 | 10 | 2.5 | 4 | |
| T. J. Fraley | 3 | 5 | 1.7 | 4 | Travis Prewitt | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | |
| Courtney Johnson | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | Dempsey Ballou | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | |
| Kevin Raleigh | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | Isaac Mills | 1 | -4 | -4.0 | 0 | |
| Darren Back | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | Eric Blackwood | 2 | -16 | -8.0 | 0 | |
| Jacob Hundley | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | Jeremy Brock | 6 | -25 | -4.2 | 2 | |
| Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Justin Haddix | 36-20-2 | 249 | 3 | 40 | Jeremy Brock | 11-2-2 | 27 | 0 | 28 | |
| Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Dustin Barnett | 6 | 82 | 1 | 25 | Isaac Mills | 1 | 28 | 0 | 28 | |
| Courtney Johnson | 5 | 66 | 1 | 27 | Justin Burton | 1 | -1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Brandon Thomas | 3 | 58 | 1 | 40 | ||||||
| T. J. Fraley | 3 | 22 | 0 | 12 | ||||||
| Mike Riley | 2 | 16 | 0 | 9 | ||||||
| Darren Back | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||
Class 3A Championship
Rockcastle County (13-1) vs. Boyle County (12-2) December 7, 2002
These two teams hooked up last year for the 3A Championship with Boyle County claiming a 49-14 victory. This season, Tom Larkey's Rockcastle County Rockets have averaged 43.9 ppg while only allowing 6.4 points per game. The Rockcastle County defense has averaged giving up only 26.9 yards per game rushing and 67.6 yards per game through the air. 5-7 155 pound Sr. running back Marty Reagan has carried the ball 260 times for 2141 yards and 32 touchdowns. QB Aaron Anderkin has completed 103 of 163 passes for 1500 yards and 25 touchdown passes. Devin Taylor has caught 48 passes for 591 yards and six TDs.
Chuck Smith has his Boyle County Rebels back on familiar turf. The Rebels cclaimed the 2A title in 1999 and 2000 and added the 3A crown in 2001. The Rebels have averaged 40.8 ppg while only giving up 4.4 ppg. The Rebel defense has averaged giving up only 28.4 yards per game rushing and 68.3 yards per game through the air. Daniel Smith has led the ground game with 921 yards and 11 touchdowns on 159 carries. QB Brandon Smith has carried the ball 96 times for 513 yards and seven scores. Michael Paul Webb has added 410 yards and 17 touchdowns on 85 carries. QB Brandon Smith has completed 132 of 232 passes for 2229 yards and 29 TDs. Jacob Tamme has caught 42 passes for 719 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jeremy Brumett has added 32 receptions for 518 yards and three scores. Jake Rostker has only 18 receptions but he has 325 receiving yards and has reached the end zone six times. The Boyle County defense has been led by LB Michael Paul Webb who has recorded 82 solo tackles and 46 assisted tackles, intercepted six passes, and recovered two fumbles.
"Four in a Row" -- The Boyle County Rebels defeated Rockcastle County 21-0 to win their fourth straight state championship and run their four year record to 58-2. Boyle County recovered a fumble on Rockcastle County's first possession and Michael Paul Webb gave Boyle County a 7-0 lead on a five yard run with 8:31 remaining in the first quarter. Brandon Smith hit Jacob Tamme with a 33 yard scoring strike to give Boyle County a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Rebels scored again in the third quarter and their strong defense kept the Rockets out of the end zone. Boyle County held a 262-162 edge in total offense. They intercepted three passes and recovered one Rockcastle County fumble.
Boyle County was led on the ground by Michael Paul Webb who carried the ball 18 times for 48 yards and a touchdown. QB Brandon Smith completed 10 of 17 passes for 163 yards and two TD passes. 6-5 200 pound Sr. WR Jacob Tamme caught four passes for 78 yards and two scores. 6-2 214 pound Jr. LB Ian Young led the Rebel defense today with eight solo tackles and four assisted tackles. Rockcastle County was led by Marty Reagan who closed out a brilliant career in a Rockets uniform with 138 yards on 30 carries. So. Chris Croucher was credited with six solo tackles and one assisted tackles which included three sacks for losses of 23 yards.
Scoring Summary
| Boyle County | 21 | Rockcastle County | 0 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Rockcastle County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Boyle County | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| BC | - Michael Paul Webb 5 yard run (David Jennings kick) |
| BC | - Jacob Tamme 33 yard pass from Brandon Smith (Jennings kick) |
| BC | - Tamme 20 yard pass from Smith (Jennings kick) |
Selected Statistics
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| Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | |
| Marty Reagan | 30 | 138 | 4.6 | 38 | Michael Paul Webb | 18 | 48 | 2.7 | 12 | |
| Aaron Anderkin | 6 | 7 | 1.2 | 9 | Brandon Smith | 10 | 23 | 2.3 | 18 | |
| Derrick Hurst | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 3 | Jeremy Brummett | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 14 | |
| Clell Swinney | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | Jacob Tamme | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 12 | |
| Daniel Smith | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 2 | ||||||
| Jake Rostker | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | ||||||
| Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Aaron Anderkin | 10-3-3 | 14 | 0 | 8 | Brandon Smith | 17-10-2 | 163 | 2 | 33 | |
| Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Michael Hayes | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | Jacob Tamme | 4 | 78 | 2 | 33 | |
| Marty Reagan | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | Jeremy Brummett | 3 | 52 | 0 | 24 | |
| Stephen Boering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Michael Paul Webb | 1 | 25 | 0 | 25 | |
| Brad Cloud | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||
| Jake Rostker | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||
Class 4A Championship
Trinity (14-0) vs. Male (14-0) December 7, 2002
The Class 4A Championship matches No. 1 Trinity vs. No. 2 Male in the rubber game of their recent championship series. Male defeated Trinity 24-14 in 2000 to claim the title but Trinity returned the favor last season, defeating Male 45-19 in 2001.
Trinity has 13 titles in their storied football history and are 13-3 overall in 16 state championship games. Trinity has averaged 42 ppg this season and have held their opponents to 6.1 ppg. The Shamrocks have been led by Jr. QB Brian Brohm who has completed 207 of 310 passes for 3225 yards and 40 TD passes. Brohm has had only one pass intercepted this season. Norm Elbert has carried the ball 186 times for 1132 yards and 15 touchdowns. DeQuese May has rushed for 652 yards and 14 TDs and caught 39 passes for 584 yards and 11 scoring receptions. TaShawn McBroom has 68 receptions for 1204 yards and 11 scoring receptions.
Male has captured six state championships in seven title games. Coach Bob Redman's Male squad has been led this year by 2002 "Mr. Football" QB Michael Bush who has completed 157 of 257 passes for 2423 yards and 29 TDs. Bush has also carried the ball 107 times for 795 yards and six scores. RB Sergio Spencer has carried the ball 177 times for 1100 yards and 22 TDs, caught 44 passes for 623 yards and 12 TDs, scored 222 points, and intercepted nine passes on defense. Bryant Beck has 47 receptions for 880 yards and 12 scores, while Corey James has added 44 catches for 463 yards and four scores.
Bob Beatty's Trinity Shamrocks captured the 4A championship in a 59-56 epic thriller which will probably never be matched for sheer excitement. The game was not decided until the final minute, when Trinity's Brian Smith intercepted a Michael Bush pass on the Trinity one yard line. Both quarterbacks put on electrifying performances with Trinity's Brian Brohm completing 19 of 25 passes for 552 yards and seven touchdowns. Brohm also carried the ball nine times for 52 yards and a score. Male's QB Michael Bush completed 33 of 47 passes for 468 yards and six scoring strikes. Bush also carried the ball 24 times for 116 yards and a score. Bush also caught two passes for 24 yards and recorded five tackles on defense. This was truly an offensive shootout as Male held a slim 681-656 yards edge in total offense. Trinity's WR TaShawn McBroom caught seven passes for an amazing 300 yards and scoring strikes of 72, 45, and 77 yards.
Scoring Summary
| Trinity | 59 | Male | 56 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Trinity | 14 | 12 | 19 | 14 | 59 |
| Male | 7 | 7 | 21 | 21 | 56 |
| T | - Daniel Mudd 32 yard pass from Brian Brohm (Karl Heinz Williams kick) |
| M | - Sergio Spencer 20 yard run (Todd Flannery kick) |
| T | - TaShawn McBroom 72 yard pass from Brohm (Williams kick) |
| M | - Corey James 21 yard pass from Michael Bush (Flannery kick) |
| T | - McBroom 45 yard pass from Brohm (kick fails) |
| T | - Stuart Diersen 18 yard pass from Brohm (pass fails) |
| M | - Sergio Spencer 18 yard pass from Bush (Flannery kick) |
| T | - Mudd 36 yard pass from Brohm (pass fails) |
| T | - McBroom 77 yard pass from Brohm (Williams kick) |
| M | - Bryant Beck 14 yard pass from Bush (Spencer pass) |
| T | - Mudd 85 yard pass from Brohm (pass fails) |
| M | - Andrew Patton 11 yard pass from Bush (pass fails) |
| T | - Brohm 1 yard run (Williams kick) |
| M | - Bush 1 yard run (Flannery kick) |
| M | - Beck 14 yard pass from Bush (Flannery kick) |
| T | - Norm Elbert 1 yard run (Williams kick) |
| M | - James 13 yard pass from Bush (Flannery kick) |
Selected Statistics
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| Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | |
| Brian Brohm | 9 | 52 | 5.8 | 48 | Michael Bush | 24 | 116 | 4.8 | 21 | |
| Norm Elbert | 10 | 46 | 4.6 | 10 | Sergio Spencer | 13 | 54 | 4.2 | 20 | |
| TaShawn McBroom | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 6 | Andrew Patton | 1 | -11 | -11.0 | 0 | |
| DeQuese May | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||
| Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Brian Brohm | 25-19-0 | 552 | 7 | 85 | Michael Bush | 47-33-1 | 468 | 6 | 30 | |
| Andrew Patton | 4-3-0 | 54 | 0 | 30 | ||||||
| Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| TaShawn McBroom | 7 | 300 | 3 | 77 | Andrew Patton | 11 | 154 | 1 | 24 | |
| Daniel Mudd | 6 | 201 | 3 | 85 | Corey James | 7 | 146 | 2 | 30 | |
| DeQuese May | 3 | 24 | 0 | 11 | Bryant Beck | 7 | 73 | 2 | 24 | |
| Norm Elbert | 2 | 9 | 0 | 7 | Sergio Spencer | 4 | 47 | 1 | 31 | |
| Stuart Diersen | 1 | 18 | 1 | 18 | Dale Baughman | 3 | 48 | 0 | 24 | |
| Michael Bush | 2 | 24 | 0 | 17 | ||||||
| Stephen Garr | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | ||||||
| Mike Middleton | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||
Acknowledgements
A special thanks to WL Stats for providing the comprehensive stats for all the championship games. Also a special thanks to the KHSAA for providing the rosters, records, statistics, etc. both pre-game and post-game on their very comprehensive website.
