3A: Pike County Central @ Belfry 11/22

[All State Baseball]

Belfry defeated Pike Central 56-34 just a few weeks ago.

 

 

Thoughts / Predictions?

[Watusi]

Belfry caught a break in Pike Central beating Breathitt, giving the Pirates another home playoff game.

 

I think Belfry comes into this one looking to make a statement. They are healthy and they have made some adjustments that have made the team stronger defensively.

 

Last game will be fresh on their minds. Here is a little recap for those who don't know.

 

Belfry played very uninspired and quickly spotted the Hawks a 19-0 lead thanks to 4 fumbles in their first 8 plays. They lost 3 of them and the other one backed the Pirates up to their own 5 yard line. Pike Central QB, Mac Justice picked the Belfry defense apart in the first half and put together 4 nice scoring drives and the Hawks were looking like world beaters. The halftime score was 26-14 and Belfry turned the ball over again on their first play from scrimmage in the 3rd quarter. At that point it was looking like Pike Central was going to get their first ever victory over Belfry, and in convincing fashion.

 

After that turnover to open the 3rd quarter, Pike Central had the ball deep in Belfry territory on 4th and 2. They got a procedure penalty (or delay of game?) and decided to try a FG on 4th and 7. The Pirates frosh DL Horton blocked the FG and another frosh starter, Hall returned it about 50 yards for Belfry. That play seemed to turn things around for the Pirates and they got Big Mo on their backs and cruised from there, outscoring Pike Central 42-8 in the 2nd half to win it 56-34.

[ATLCat]

Belfry defense looked completely different with Austin Hatfield at LB, Duty at NG, and Catron playing a lot. Haywood made the decision to use Hatfield exclusively on Defense now that he is healthy.. for those that don't know Hatfield is one of the best FB's in the State on Offense. Aside from this, Haywood has apparently made a priority to put the quickest defense he can and the best tacklers he has out there.

 

Dari has been a pleasant surprise at HB this year and Carr has been moved to FB. It may not make for the optimal Belfry backfield, but the difference is slight in comparison to the positive effect it has playing Hatfield one way on defense.

 

It worked very well last night, now the question is how will it work against PC's spread.

 

Another note entering this game is PC Head Coach John Chapman was ejected against Breathitt and will not be on the sideline against Belfry. By rule..technically he has to sit out 3 games. If PC were to continue to win then his season as HC on gameday has ended. If PC loses, then he has to sit out the first two games of next season. Just another black mark on a tenure where he has clearly elevated the PC program, but has done so amid controversy and numerous shows of questionable moral fiber.

[jvdfc]

Belfry by 14.

[nikeman49]

Major beatdown.....Belfry 62 PC 6

[SLINK]

Belfry 35-12.

[4chs]

The score of the Belfry/Pike Central game really surprised me since Williamsburg had put a running clock on Pike Central in the second quarter of their earlier game.

[ATLCat]

The score of the Belfry/Pike Central game really surprised me since Williamsburg had put a running clock on Pike Central in the second quarter of their earlier game.

Belfry's first 8 plays resulted in 3 lost fumbles and another fumble for about a 12 yard loss inside their 5 that set-up a another PC Touchdown. Belfry outscored PC 50-8 in the Second Half.