Beachwood is in no mood for any procrastination this deep into the fall. No quarter. No nonsense. And as visiting Fairview discovered the hard way Oct. 23 during a Division IV district semifinal, in turn when that occurs, there is no doubt, either. Jaycob Zabell bagged a hat trick, and the Bison emerged from a mildly nervy first 10 minutes to serve up an 8-1 rout. Beachwood freshman midfielder Jose Agudelo discusses his side's 8-1 D4 district semi win over Fairview to get to 16-1-2He brings smart, quality width & pace to this side that IMO is really helpful, tonight being indicative of that pic.twitter.com/zWpEM2iDPM — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) October 24, 2024 Beachwood (16-1-2) will draw another round with Andrews Osborne, this time in the D-IV Northeast 2 District final at 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at Louisville, after having its 2023 campaign ended by the eventual state champion Phoenix in a D-III regional final. For their part in booking that showdown, the Bison were clinical with width, off-ball intent and a memorable evening from Zabell, pushing the senior striker to 16 goals this season. Beachwood 1-0Jaycob Zabell 2nd min pic.twitter.com/MNCEoGhoXo — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) October 23, 2024 “I think that our team played great,” Zabell said. “Allowing me to get open. Finding the pockets. Spreading out. Being able to feed me the through balls. I think collectively, the whole team is the reason why we won that game. “Especially with our team, we have a lot of speed. So having the width just opens the entire field up for everyone, and we can run onto balls and get into the pockets.” Zabell struck 66 seconds in on a rebound strike to make it 1-0 before the Warriors’ Chris Dicken cashed in a near-post effort in the 10th minute to level the match, 1-1. It seemingly only served to calibrate Beachwood even further. Beachwood 2-1Grant Keilin 28th min pic.twitter.com/IZEpBjj372 — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) October 23, 2024 In the 28th, Grant Keilin collected service and played a first touch into the right side of the box. The 2023 All-American attacking center mid slotted a right-footed strike to give the Bison the lead to stay at 2-1. The proverbial floodgates opened from there, triggered by the third just 61 seconds later. Beachwood 3-1Jaycob Zabell 29th min pic.twitter.com/I0w0qcpW0X — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) October 23, 2024 Freshman outside mid Jose Agudelo, whose width and pace has been a welcome addition to this Beachwood side, served a cross in for Zabell, who opted for a lovely finish under the crossbar for a 3-1 lead. Beachwood 4-1Jaycob Zabell for the hatty 34th min pic.twitter.com/eEKL5GwnfW — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) October 23, 2024 “So I saw him dribbling down the line. He had two defenders pinch in,” Zabell said. “So I yelled out, ‘Negative,’ because I was wide open. I planted and one-timed it into the net.” Then in the 34th, with Bison coach Brian Greene encouraging from the touchline for him to go “first time,” Zabell listened and notched an opening-40 hat trick with a slick strike, celebrating the occasion with a flip. Keilin (42nd), Asher Gearity (55th), Keilin for his own hat trick (57th) and Colin Tew (69th) delivered the final margin after halftime. Beachwood 6-1Jaycob Zabell 55th min pic.twitter.com/mEmEvFfCa0 — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) October 24, 2024 One element that has been pleasing to Zabell has been the way youngsters such as Agudelo and impressive sophomore Daniel Park have come into the side and contributed. Developing their confidence and part in the side from the outset, as Zabell is cognizant having been in their spot not that long ago, is a must to field a complete and dangerous 11. “Just be positive teammates, positive role models,” Zabell said. “Once you’re older, once you become an upperclassman, you have this responsibility. You’ve got to be a mentor to these younger players, but also treat them as if you’re the same age. You can’t belittle them because of their age. You’re on the field, you’re on the field. “And I think Jose and all the underclassmen do a great job this year stepping up. Ever since Day 1, they’ve always made a name for themselves. They weren’t scared to go out and be physical, and that is very important.” The Bison have been hungry for yet another shot at their first state final four berth in boys soccer in school lore for all intents and purposes since the full-time whistle of last year’s setback to AOA at Boardman. In the best way, they’re sick and tired of elite-eight trips that don’t bear fruit. No quarter. No nonsense. “We have a team that’s talented enough to go to state,” Zabell said. “And that’s what we’ve got to do this year. We’ve got to execute. Everyone on this team is hungry, even if you’re not a starter. Everyone on this team wants it, and we’re going to keep working until we get it.”