Coach Dane Damron doesn’t know it, but he has a special recruiting tool. And it has nothing to do with the new football facilities.

“I liked KCU because it was right next to a Hardee’s,” said Ironton Fighting Tigers senior defensive lineman Felipe Beach with a chuckle before signing a letter-of-intent Thursday to play football at Kentucky Christian University.

Actually, there were other reasons Beach preferred KCU over Ohio Domican University, but Hardee’s figures to get plenty of business from the 6-foot-1, 290-pound Beach who was a two-year starter for the Fighting Tigers.

The Knights celebrated their inaugural season last year with three junior varsity and three varsity games. Beach said the program had a lot to offer.

“I liked starting with a new program and getting new facilities,” said Beach.

“To be a first-year program, they put up a lot of points (last season). I think it’s exciting.”

Beach has played tackle, guard and even fullback on offense while playing nose guard and tackle on defense. He said coach Damron’s initial plans are to utilize him at nose guard.

“I’ve played everything. It doesn’t matter to me,” said Beach.

Entering a program with young players makes KCU a golden opportunity according to Beach.

“Hopefully, I have a better chance to play since all the players are freshmen,” said Beach.

Beach and teammate Bub Johnson both signed Thursday with the Knights. The two got talked about the school and making it a package deal.

“I was looking at Kentucky Christian and Bubby said he’d go with me and that got me thinking I wanted to go down there,” said Beach.

The Ironton lineman said being close to home was another reason for picking the Knights.

“One good thing is gas is about 30 cents cheaper. Me and bubby can take turns on trips home and it won’t cost as much,” said Beac.

Felipe is the son of Rachel Beach and Felipe Beach.