Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County High School varsity football season opening game is tonight, Friday, August 20.  The Bears will open on the road vs the Russellville Panthers at Rhea stadium in Russellville, Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

This is the opening weekend of high school football in the Bluegrass state. After a 2020 Covid season that cut football season short by as many as two games or more, players, coaches and fans look forward to a ten-game regular season schedule in 2021. 

BCHS head coach Brandon Embry enters his fourth year and returns a mix of veteran upperclassmen and newcomers alike. Offensively, the Bears look for leadership from Josh Morris, Landon Binion, Solomon Flener,  Jake McKee, Jagger Henderson, Zack Silcox, Luke Laughing, and Colton Dunnells. 

The Bears have been daily preparing, with practice, drills, weightlifting, and one pre-season scrimmage. The second Bears scrimmage - scheduled for Friday, August 13, was cancelled due to Covid-related issues. Russellville holds the edge in getting that second scrimmage in last week. The Panthers have scrimmaged Todd County Central and Trigg County over the past two weeks. 

BCHS Seniors are Landon Binion, Trenton Bryant, Solomon Flener, Jagger Henderson, Ian Moore, Josh Morris, and Zack Silcox. 

Juniors are Gunnar Cox, Colton Dunnells, Dalton Freeman, Ty Griffin, Keagen Grubb, Gunner Hodge, Luck Laughing, Jake McKee, Carson Miller, and Layton Phelps. 

Sophomores are Gage Beasley, Kyle Chambers, Jay Peralta, Dillion Hudnall, and Blake Tomes. 

Freshmen are Will Bryant, Heath Chaney, Tucker Dejarnette, Reece Filback, Avery Gibbs, Kellon Meredith, and Brock Phingston. 

The Bears are coming off a 2-5 season in 2020, while the Russellville Panthers were 5-4. 

The last meeting between the Bears and Panthers was in 2019, with the Bears getting the win 20-15 at Russellville. 

The game will be broadcast live on WLBQ 101.5 FM with Cody Donaldson, Barry Frazier and Jeff Jennings.