Ben Beasley was a sixth grade water boy on the 2003 state champion Boyd Buchanan football team.

Friday night, the Rockwood players and coaches wished Beasley still carried the water bucket instead of the football as the Bucs senior running back scored three touchdowns and rushed for 84 yards as Boyd Buchanan blanked the visiting Tigers, 42-0, in a TSSAA 2A state semis football game.

The Bucs will face Trousdale County – a 7-0 semis winner against McKenzie – for the state championship next Saturday at 1 p.m. EST at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.

Trousdale (12-1) has won seven state titles, including the 2008 crown in 1A.

A complete domination was evident as the Bucs scored on seven of their first eight possessions, including a 20 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Matthew Crowe to make it 21-0 at 6:24 of the first quarter.

Boyd Buc head coach Grant Reynolds told his players after the third score that, “there is a lot if football to play, so don't let up.''

The Bucs heeded his words as they added three more scores in the next 10 minutes to seal the win; the school's 30th in post-season play since 1996.

Beasley scored on runs of 1, 2 and 14 – 22 rushing touchdowns on the season - while Andrew Crowe connected with Taylor Shull on a 7-yard pass play (35-0) and Chase Reed closed out the scoring on a 5-yard run at 4:05 before intermission.

The win increases the Bucs record to 11-1, while Rockwood ends its season at 11-3.

“You played with a lot of urgency tonight,'' Reynolds told his team in post-game comments.

“It was a great way to come out (28 first quarter points) and we broke their spirit early,'' he stated.

The Bucs offense made a statement on the first play from scrimmage, as Andrew Crowe hit a wide open Shull on a post pattern which went for 62 yards to the Tigers 5.

Beasley scored over the right side four plays later (9:51) on a stubborn Tiger defense and Joey Glisson kicked the first of his six extra points.

After a three-and-out Rockwood series, Beasley then scampered 43 yards to the Rockwood 15 less than two minutes later and found pay dirt three plays later for a 14-0 advantage.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors in the next nine seconds as the insuing kickoff was fumbled by Chris Harness and returned 20 yards by Matthew Crowe for a 21-0 lead.

Rockwood recorded its first, first down of the game at 4:55 of the first quarter, but Shull intercepted a Tiger pass three plays later at the Bucs 25.

The hosts quickly moved 75 yards in four plays, aided by two Rockwood penalties as Beasley swept left end for the final 14 yards for a 28-0 lead.

Andrew Crowe opened the drive, connecting with Glisson for 32 yards (plus a Rockwood penalty) and the Bucs were in business at the visitors' 28. Beasley rushed for 14 and Andrew Crowe added nine, before Beasley's third score.

Beasley fumbled on the next Boyd-Buc series on a temporary stinger, and with the game well in hand, coach Reynolds held out the senior back for the final three quarters. Back-up running back Chase Reed was more than an adequate replacement with a game-high 88 yards on 18 carries and a second quarter score.

“We knew we couldn't fall behind early, but we made some mistakes in the first quarter and that really hurt us,'' said Rockwood coach John Webb.

“We thought we could run on them, but Boyd has a great defense and stopped us.''

In last week's 28-14 win at Hampton, Rockwood's Jeff Inman, Davey Templeton and Travis Beasley each rushed for 100 yards, but tonight they combined for 79 yards on the ground on 28 carries.

Strong Senior Class: “Most of us have been here at Boyd since grammar school and we have played a lot of football together,'' said senior Taylor Shull.

Senior lineman Devin Caldwell transferred from Baylor, while Trey Ferguson and the Crowe brothers (Andrew and Matthew) transferred from Ooltewah prior to their sophomore season.

Sign of Things To Come: The current seniors posted a 22-0 record as seventh and eighth graders.

State Finals: The Bucs played in the state finals three straight years, 2002-03-04, winning it all in 2003.

Trousdale Football Tradition: The Yellow Jackets have won seven state gridiron titles; 1972-90-93-97-98-2005-08.

Trousdale Win Streak: The Yellow Jackets have won eight straight playoff games in the last two seasons ... Five in a row to win it all in 2008 and three straight this season.

Good Defense: Boyd Buc has not allowed a playoff touchdown since Marion County scored in the state round of 16.

Boyd Buchanan 42, Rockwood 0

Rockwood 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 = 0
Boyd Buchanan 28 – 7 – 0 – 0 = 42

BB – Ben Beasley 1 run (Joey Glisson kick), 9:51 1st Quarter, 7-0
BB – Beasley 2 run (Glisson kick), 6:33 1st Quarter, 14-0
BB – Matthew Crowe 20 fumble return (Glisson kick), 6:24 1st Quarter, 21-0
BB – Beasley 14 run (Glisson kick) 1:55 1st Quarter, 28-0
BB – Taylor Shull 15 pass from Andrew Crowe (Glisson kick) 6:35 2nd Quarter, 35-0
BB - Chase Reed 5 run (Glissson kick) 4:05, 2nd quarter, 42-0

Records: Boyd Buchanan (11-1), Rockwood (11-3)

Rushing: BB – Ben Beasley, 84 yards on 8 carries; Chase Reed, 88 yards on 10 carries, Andrew Crowe, 24 yards on 4 carries; R – Jeff Inman, 39 yards on 14 carries; Davey Templeton, 31 yards on 9 carries.

Passing: BB - Andrew Crowe, 6-8-0 for 121 yards, 1 TD; Clayton Parker, 1-2-0 for 12 yards; R – Lucas Jolly, 0-7-1 for 0 yards.

Receiving: BB – Taylor Shull, 3 catches for 89 yards, 1 TD; Joey Glisson, 1 catch for 32 yards; Trey Ferguson, Clint Babb, Chase Reed each had one reception.

Total Offense: BB (329), MC (94)

Rushing: BB (196), R(94)

Passing: BB (133), R (0)

Interceptions: BB – Taylor Shull, Trey McCalla; R - none

Fumble Recovery: BB – Chase Reed, Matthew Crowe; R - Collin Smith

Tackles: BB - Ross Keasler (10), Clint Babb (5), Trey McCalla (5).

Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net