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Beachler lauds teamwork in stunning victory over Logan-Rogersville
One of the biggest wins in recent program memory was accentuated by the overall cohesiveness of the Nevada Tiger football team's offensive and defensive units. Those sentiments were emphasized by fourth-year Nevada High head coach Wes Beachler.
"We showed tremendous leadership, team-unity," Beachler told the Daily Mail following the 38-26 Friday night road-shocker over Logan-Rogersville, in which the Tigers vanquished a 16-game losing skid. "There's been a core, 55 to 60 guys, who have just been here day-in and day-out working hard, growing together, pushing each other, and picking each other up."
Prior to Friday Beachler and company had not tasted victory on the gridiron in nearly two calendar years. Beachler has long emphasized controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and his squad did just that against Rogersville.
In particular, Beachler lauded his offensive line, comprised entirely of sophomores and juniors. Their physical play at the line paved the way for Nevada's potent rushing attack, with Kaden Denney racking up 205 yards, while Case Sanderson tallied 108 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Eli Cheaney chipped in 37 yards and a pair of rushing scores.
"Give kudos to the offensive line, it was a young group last year and they had a lot to learn," Beachler said. They're still young — from tackle-to-tackle, it's all sophomores and juniors."
Beachler said many of those comprising both the offensive and defensive lines were thrust into action as underclassmen last year out of necessity.
"They've got some room to get better yet," he said. "They learned a lot (last season), and they understand the system better. They created some space, and our backs are just tough runners. They stick the ball up in there, and they run hard. We hope it's a sign of things to come the rest of the year."
Beachler was pleased with the toughness his club displayed over the final four minutes of the game, snuffing out a late Rogersville comeback.
"We talk all the time about grit, about not giving up," he said. "We feel like at times the last couple years we've given up a little when we got behind."
Nevada trailed 6-0 in the opening frame, but junior tailback Kaden Denney's 62-yard scamper to paydirt, plus Riley Trotter' two-point reception, handed the Tigers an 8-6 lead. They never trailed from that point forward, leading 20-6 at the half.
Rogersville sliced its deficit to six on multiple occasions in the second half, but Nevada replied with touchdown drives each time.
"Just impressed overall with how resilient and tough our kids are," he said. "They play hard until the end. The plays we made in the last four minutes of the game, when we had to make a play, showed a lot of character from these kids."
While Beachler didn't provide an injury update, Nevada had several key players depart the contest with injury, including star (RB/DB) Denney.
"We have a couple injuries we need to get evaluated of some pretty key players," Beachler said. "Even if we do have to move forward without a few guys for a week or two, I think we've got the tenacity and grit to play hard. That's all you ever ask of your kids, is to play hard every snap — and they did that tonight."
The Tigers will look to parlay their season-opening momentum into a week two victory over Hollister. The Big 8 Conference cross-division foes square off Friday (Sept. 4). Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. from Logan Field.
Hollister dropped its season-opener to Monett, 20-13.
"There's a lot of people patting (our kids) on the back, telling them how good they are," Beachler began. "But we have to come back to practice ready to work, because there's always room to improve."