Beachwood Bison Top W. Geauga 22-7

Win keeps Bison's slim hopes of a playoff bid alive.

Beachwood High School enjoyed a 22-7 win over West Geauga Friday night, keeping them in the running with several other teams for a playoff spot. From Cleveland.com: Beachwood football team grinds out victory over West Geauga We'll find out if the Bison will go on later this week, but in the meantime, check out Thursday's Gridiron Notebook, which laid out the chances as we see it so far. More: Gridiron Notebook: Bison Hang Onto Slim Playoff Hopes After Kirtland Loss

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Gridiron Notebook

Gridiron Notebook: Bison Hang Onto Slim Playoff Hopes After Kirtland Loss

Beachwood, Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights are all in the hunt for a playoff spot, but need help to move up in the computer rankings.

There are no computer points for close losses, but Beachwood took one of the state’s best teams to the wire Saturday, losing 20-18 in overtime when the Bison couldn’t convert a two-point try against Kirtland. Beachwood held a 12-0 lead at halftime, but the Hornets came up with big plays down the stretch. “We had ’em,” Beachwood coach Ryan Williams said. “We had them the whole way.” Kirtland running back Damon Washington was held in check for most of the game despite finishing with 124 yards on 11 carries. He rattled off a 71-yard touchdown to tie the score at 12 in the fourth quarter. Kirtland missed the extra point. The Bison (6-3) had Kirtland (9-0) pinned with the Hornets facing a third-and-25 during the first possession of overtime. …

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Gridiron Notebook: Bison Face Must-Win Saturday

The football playoffs are just two weeks away. Beachwood, Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights are all in the thick of the chase to qualify.

Beachwood’s playoff hopes took a hit last Saturday with a 31-28 loss to Cuyahoga Heights (7-1), the Bison — despite holding the ball for 15:18 in the first half — trailed 24-6 going into the locker room. A series of unfortunate events — a 70-yard interception returned for a touchdown and a blocked field goal, both by Tyler Gallo — gave Cuyahoga Heights momentum. “We came back good in the second half, unfortunately we didn’t show up in the first half and that was the difference in the game,” Beachwood coach Ryan Williams said. “I’m proud of the way we came out in the second half and fought. We just have to find a way to play a complete game against good teams.” Senior quarterback Corey Jones and junior running back Jordan Lane kept the …

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Gridiron Notebook: Beachwood Bison in Familiar Spot

The chatter among the coaches and players at Beachwood, Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights

For the second-straight season, Beachwood finds itself at 6-1 with its only loss coming to rival Orange. And for the second-straight season, the Bison have three strong opponents remaining on their schedule: Cuyahoga Heights (6-1), Kirtland (7-0) and West Geauga, who is only 3-3 but plays in Division II. Beachwood hopes it doesn’t wind up 6-4 again. “We have a lot of guys back from last year’s team who know exactly what happened last year and are looking to turn that around,” Beachwood coach Ryan Williams said. “I told them, and they know it too, that it’s more of a mental than a physical thing. We match up with all of those teams. “It comes down to the teams that make the most amount of plays in the end and last year, unfortunately, those…

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Gridiron Notebook: Beachwood, Shaker & Cleveland Heights Off to Strong Starts

The chatter among the coaches and players at Beachwood, Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights

The football teams at Beachwood, Shaker Heights, and Cleveland Heights each have 5-1 records. One squad outmanned the competition with a strong running game, while another racked up wins despite its youth. The three teams have a lot of upside, and it will be fun to watch them make a playoff push during the last few weeks of the season. Here are some reflections from the Bison, Red Raiders and Tigers. Beachwood Beachwood Bison players say a stellar running game and stout defense helped them sprint of to a 5-1 start. The Bison defense has only allowed one TD this season. This unit is led by inside linebacker Mike Fields. Fields said the team has been very good at communicating defensively. “Everybody knows their assignments and where they …

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