What does Belfry need to do to improve in 2013? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

Belfry is going to be the clear cut favorite once again in the Eastern 3A Semi-State.

 

This Pirate team does have some very large question marks, but they also have some huge positives. They have literally been an extra point and a field goal away from being the 3A Back to Back Champs, for them to get over that hump this season I think the ground to make up will be a little steeper though.

 

The Good:

- Belfry is absolutely loaded in terms of returning skill players. The return QB Sani Warren, leading rusher HB Trenity Carr, FB Austin Hatfield who became a beast in the playoffs, ATH Keaton Taylor who became a playmaker at three different positions last year, and potentially HB Justin Johnson who was one of the top backs in 3A and having a huge season before it was ended with a concussion. Belfry has not returned this much talent in the backfield since 2003, you will be hard pressed to find a better/more experienced backfield in the State of Kentucky.

- On paper the Eastern Semi-State appears to be wayyyyy down next season. Belfry was on a different level as it was in 2012, but expect Breathitt County and Bourbon County (the clear #2 and #3 in 2012) to take a step back.

- In response to this, and the habitual close loss to Central, Belfry has drastically upgraded their schedule. Belfry plays Somerset in the Pike County Bowl, travel to play Harlan County, host a very solid Gallia Academy (OH) team, as well as travel to play a defending State Champion in Christian Academy of Knoxville. On top of this, Belfry retains their game with Johnson Central and Pikeville, two teams expected to show marked improvement in 2013.

- In addition to a slew of 3 year starters returning at key positions, Belfry has some sensational younger talent in what will be the Sophomore and Freshman classes coming up. Belfry Middle School won a State Title in buzzsaw like fashion... though it is not known whether some of the stars of that team are ready to step into a starting spot, they will certainly be able to provide added depth.

 

THE BAD:

- Belfry loses the brunt of one of the better offensive lines of the past decade. The Pirates had three All-State linemen if you include TE Tony Messer who will all be moving on. Haywood has been able to reload his lines like a finely tuned machine, but there is no denying there will be a significant impact early in the season.

- The biggest hit though will be at LB. Mullins and Ghormely recorded nearly 1000 career tackles between them and were fixtures in the middle. Messer was a legit playmaker at OLB. Belfry has some quality players ready for their shot, but these guys are borderline irreplaceable.

- At DB Belfry was extremely deep last season which will help more so than the other positions of key loss. With that said, Thacker emerged as a fine CB and the Pirate's biggest hitter, and Josh Robinson was huge in the clutch making numerous key INT's and PBU's.

- As mentioned, if Johnson returns from his third concussion in two years he immediately becomes one of the better backs in the State and gives Belfry a dynamic playmaker with a ton of experience.... but that is all a huge question mark.

Come on. No "The Ugly"?

 

Nice summary thanks for posting it.

RB Justin Johnson was cleared by a neurologist and will suit up for his Senior Season. If Belfry can get their Oline playing together they now have possibly the best backfield East of I-75 and one of the best backfields in the state returning.

 

Belfry now returns QB Warren, FB Hatfield, HB Carr, and HB Johnson. This will also allow Keaton Taylor to focus more reps at SE and as a change of pace back.

Where, if any where are last years seniors playing college ball?

 

Thanks.

I can't add much to what ATLCat has posted, he has it covered pretty well.

 

Although they return a ton of skill players, there are big question marks on the line of scrimmage and the LB/DE positions on defense where they lost a lot of experience and talent. Belfry's teams typically start a little slow and build up as the season wears on. It is an approach that has served them well. With the difficult schedule they have in 2013, don't be surprised if this team takes some lumps, especially early. But also don't be surprised to see them firing on all cylinders come November and ready to make another run at Bowling Green.

 

Here is the finalized schedule:

 

Scrimmages: Hazard and Richlands VA

 

Aug 30 Somerset (Pike County Bowl)

Sep 06 @ Harlan Co

Sep 13 @ Southwestern Pulaski

Sep 20 Pikeville

Sep 27 Sheldon Clark

Oct 04 Gallia Academy OH

Oct 11 @ Christian Academy of Knoxville TN

Oct 18 Lawrence Co

Oct 25 @Pike Central

Nov 01 Johnson Central

I can't add much to what ATLCat has posted, he has it covered pretty well.

 

Although they return a ton of skill players, there are big question marks on the line of scrimmage and the LB/DE positions on defense where they lost a lot of experience and talent. Belfry's teams typically start a little slow and build up as the season wears on. It is an approach that has served them well. With the difficult schedule they have in 2013, don't be surprised if this team takes some lumps, especially early. But also don't be surprised to see them firing on all cylinders come November and ready to make another run at Bowling Green.

 

Here is the finalized schedule:

 

Scrimmages: Hazard and Richlands VA

 

Aug 30 Somerset (Pike County Bowl)

Sep 06 @ Harlan Co

Sep 13 @ Southwestern Pulaski

Sep 20 Pikeville

Sep 27 Sheldon Clark

Oct 04 Gallia Academy OH

Oct 11 @ Christian Academy of Knoxville TN

Oct 18 Lawrence Co

Oct 25 @Pike Central

Nov 01 Johnson Central

 

 

Who did Belfry pick up on their schedule to make up for Ashland dropping them?

It was a long process.

 

Ultimately Belfry finally filled Ashland's spot on the schedule with Christian Academy of Knoxville.

Wonderful schedule! Who said we are scrimmaging Richlands? My step-dad graduated from there, went around the world with the armed forces, and now resides here in beautiful Belfry, KY and I've suggested the coaches hit them up for a few years now. Thought that would be awesome. I love their stadium.

 

I honestly think the key to the season is how well the 4 young men put into the LB/DE spots pan out. The lineman will come around, Coach Haywood seems to have them eating cornbread and nails from the time they're born. The athletic depth Belfry has is incredible. Dari, Johnson, Catron, Taylor, Warren, Willis ... all for only 4 defensive back spots. So I think the biggest thing will be getting a solid LB core in there. If that happens, this could be a dangerous team. If not, this could be a long year. Regardless, Pirate fans oughta expect a few losses in the regular season. Maybe more than a few... if it weren't for the experience of it I don't know that I'd attend the Christian Academy of Knoxville game. I try to be positive and though I feel like Harlan County is a favorite over us, Somerset and Gallia could beat us but we have them at home so I'm not sure, as well at JCHS... but the CAK game... shew, I'm afraid it could be ugly.