Following last week's win over Harlan County, Belfry has been getting attention from pollsters and gaining momentum.

 

 

Some Questions:

 

Just how good is this Belfry squad?

 

What players are legitimate college prospects?

 

Players to watch, vitals, stats, etc. would be appreciated.

The Pirates are overrated. Nothing to see here, move along.

Just how good is this Belfry squad?

 

They are improving each week. Talented and very deep at the skill positions. A man child at FB, a smooth option QB, a pair of very good HB's, a dangerous athlete at WR (if he can catch wide open TD's), and a solid backup for each player.

 

Good pieces on defense, but still trying to gel. Line has a lot of potential. Belfry has amassed an average of almost 350 rushing yards against a Somerset team expected to contend for the 2A Title and Harlan County who entered as the #3 3A team. So the OLine has played pretty good.

 

Pirates are young, but talented, in the spots that they are replacing last year's starters.

What players are legitimate college prospects?

 

#71 Michael Barnes has always had D-1 size and athleticism. He just has not had NAIA work ethic. This year the light has turned on and he has been a manchild to start the season and emerged as a vocal leader. If he continues to put in the effort I could see him being a steal for a D-1 program.

 

#6 Sani Warren was the MVP of WKU's QB Camp last summer and is a smooth customer running the option. Sani lacks the size to be a major prospect at QB but he is also a sensational CB. I see him playing small college ball as a CB.

 

Where Belfry needs watching are their young guys. Still a long ways to go.

 

Freshman TE/DE Cole Bentley is a beast standing 6'4 235 and had a super impressive Summer attending camps at Alabama and Florida and playing in an All-American game in San Diego.

 

Sophomore Punter Devan Wellman has been unbelievable so far. Through 2 games he already has 5 punts downed inside the 20 with 3 of those being downed inside the 5. He attended several kicking camps along with Freshman PK Austin Woolum and both had impressive showings. Woolum is a welcome relief after the lack of a field goal kicker cost Belfry a shot in in 2011 Finals and a missed XP cost them the 2012 game.

 

FR RayQuan Horton and Austin Hall are both starting on the Belfry D-Line and have great size for Freshman and have been super impressive. Horton had two key plays last week.

 

Players to watch, vitals, stats, etc. would be appreciated.

In addition to the above mentioned players:

 

- JR DE/FB Austin Hatfield is a bad man. He may not have the size and speed to ever get recruited, but this kid is a special talent. He literally was unstoppable once he took over as a Starter last season and carved up Johnson Central, Bourbon County, Breathitt County, and even Central's vaunted Defense. He simply does not go down for a loss and I don't think a single solo tackle has been recorded against him.

 

-SR HB Trenity Carr. Carr is a physical specimen and plays around 6' 200. Gained over 1000 yards last season between playing FB and HB.

 

- SR HB Justin Johnson. He was on pace for one of the most efficient seasons ever as a RB before a pair of injuries ended his season in 2012, would have ran for well over 1000 yards. Belfry made their playoff run without him leaning on Hatfield and moving Carr to HB and the success of those guys sort of made him out of sight and out of mind. He went off against Harlan County returning to old form as one of the best backs in EKY. Not a big kid, but great quickness and change of direction.

 

- SR C Mackey Francis- Francis was Belfry's lone returning starter on the line, but the good news is he was probably Belfry's best lineman. Dominated in the 2nd Half last week.

^ Thanks ATLcat. Good stuff. Always great to learn more from others by getting contributions like this.

Good stuff ATL, as always. I knew you'd have it covered. :thumb:

The Pirates are overrated. Nothing to see here, move along.

 

Below is a link to the Article on Belfry from BluegrassPreps' summer series.

 

After reading, I can see why some MIGHT think there was a little sandbagging going on. With that said, I most definitely understand why it occurred, and am not passing judgment on those for offering up information on their team. I definitely like the concept of letting your play do the talking.

 

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/belfry-pirates-257269.html

Some one does need to fix their promotional poster though. Great looking poster but someone didn't proofread it. If I knew how to post pics I would. It reads "The Beast of the East are Back"

 

Past that Belfry pretty much every year is legit. It looks like this year might be the year they get over the hump.

Good Lord, where did you see that barrel?

 

I would venture to say that is something that is fan generated, not an official poster from the program. At least I hope so.

Below is a link to the Article on Belfry from BluegrassPreps' summer series.

 

After reading, I can see why some MIGHT think there was a little sandbagging going on. With that said, I most definitely understand why it occurred, and am not passing judgment on those for offering up information on their team. I definitely like the concept of letting your play do the talking.

 

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/belfry-pirates-257269.html

 

JokersWild24... 'Tusi and I are from a similar cloth. I think both of us lean more on the side of caution and worst case scenario, rather than being the trash talking super fans who can't fathom how their team could possibly lose.

 

Haywood is notorious for his simplified interviews and his predictable coach speak. You will rarely hear Coach Haywood rave about his team or take offense to someone's opinion, while at thew same team he will absolutely heap praise on his opponent. I think that mindset, coupled with the fact that Belfry is typically a team who is a shadow of themselves by the end of the season, is why the Belfry fanbase for the most part is more likely to sandbag a bit and show reserve with their predictions.

 

 

Proof of how fans' viewpoints are different is evident in Belfry's view on Central. With teams like Highlands, Mayfield, Bowling Green, and Trinity who have dynasties and dominated their respected classes, there is a bit of animosity from other fans, specifically form the clear #2 team in their respective classes. There is none of that from Belfry. No accusations of cheating, unfair advantages, saying "this is our year", calling for re-classification, or accusations of their coach running up the score or being poor sportsmen. Belfry has reverence for the Central program and a respect. Instead of fueling the fire, Belfry just makes internal changes to evolve and earn their next shot.

 

With those other teams the gap really hasn't closed that much with the #2 team.. but Belfry has drastically closed the gap on Central and in the process went from a Top 30 team to a Top 15 team.Their schedule has evolved, their feeder system has evolved, their personnel depth has evolved, and subsequently their expectations have evolved. Instead of making excuses, Belfry has simply searched for answers.

Good Lord, where did you see that barrel?

 

I would venture to say that is something that is fan generated, not an official poster from the program. At least I hope so.

It was something fan generated.. I think it was something done prior to their post-season run last year.

 

I shake my head when I see it.. pretty cool image...but definitely in need of an edit HAHA

This is the only thing I could find. It isn't worded that way. Maybe there is a new one that says "are" back?

 

.

^^^

 

It definitely said "are" when it was out last year making the rounds... looks like the guy who made it edited it.. my guess is someone was recycling their image form last year and that is what barrel saw.

 

On a side note, the one thing I will be adamant about is the fact I think Belfry's jersey is one of the best you will find in HS Football.

^^^

 

It definitely said "are" when it was out last year making the rounds... looks like the guy who made it edited it.. my guess is someone was recycling their image form last year and that is what barrel saw.

 

On a side note, the one thing I will be adamant about is the fact I think Belfry's jersey is one of the best you will find in HS Football.

 

Agree. I really like those all red uniforms in the picture above.

Proof of how fans' viewpoints are different is evident in Belfry's view on Central. With teams like Highlands, Mayfield, Bowling Green, and Trinity who have dynasties and dominated their respected classes, there is a bit of animosity from other fans, specifically form the clear #2 team in their respective classes. There is none of that from Belfry. No accusations of cheating, unfair advantages, saying "this is our year", calling for re-classification, or accusations of their coach running up the score or being poor sportsmen. Belfry has reverence for the Central program and a respect. Instead of fueling the fire, Belfry just makes internal changes to evolve and earn their next shot.

 

With those other teams the gap really hasn't closed that much with the #2 team.. but Belfry has drastically closed the gap on Central and in the process went from a Top 30 team to a Top 15 team.Their schedule has evolved, their feeder system has evolved, their personnel depth has evolved, and subsequently their expectations have evolved. Instead of making excuses, Belfry has simply searched for answers.

 

This is a great post, and a great attitude to have. Wish the rest of Kentucky would do the same.