I can't find the video link. Can you re-post it?

 

 

ChiefSmoke could probably give you the best answer on how Dalton performed

I can't find the video link. Can you re-post it?

 

Oops..wasnt on here...it was when I was researching last night...sorry

 

 

 

As a bonus you get a Coach Buchanon post-game speech

Thanks Cat!!

ChiefSmoke could probably give you the best answer on how Dalton performed

It would be great if he would respond, but I understand if he doesn't want to go there.

Belfry 34

Bourbon County 30

Belfry 34

Bourbon County 30

I have a feeling it may be one of those shootout type of games. Both teams are really good offensively. Belfry has not been as strong on defense as in years past, and I really don't know how good Bourbon is defensively. The winner may just have to outscore the other.

Belfry

+ Schedule is light years more difficult

+ Pirates have faced several teams that from a schematic standpoint has given them an idea of what to expect

+ Belfry is playing in it's 10th Semi-Final in 11 Years... the staff and the players know the Thanksgiving ritual like the back of their hand.

+ Belfry plays substantially more players one way and are the deeper team

+ Belfry appears to have a size advantage up front

+ A Coach who has been here a ton of times

- Pirates have struggled at tackling

- Belfry is by far the more inexperienced team in terms of age of some of their starters

- Belfry's offense is not equipped to play from behind or score quickly

- Belfry has given up some numbers to solid passing teams and to the big play

 

BOURBON

+ The Colonels return 9 starters each way and are Senior Dominate.. Belfry starts 4 Freshmen with a 5th playing roughly half the game on Defense

+ Bourbon's balance has led to staggering numbers and has proven to be very effective at scoring quickly

+ Bourbon has yet to see a game that they did not enjoy a 3 TD advantage or really break a serious sweat, Belfry OTOH has had weaknesses exploited on film

+ Pope was very successful against Belfry and the game was 14-10 at the Half.. Belfry broke away thanks to dominance on the OL. The Pirates lost all but one starters from that unit.

+ Belfry has no one as fast as Johnson and Holman, definite speed advantage to Bourbon

- Homefield Advantage is minimal..noone travels like Belfry

- Bourbon has yet to play a team with a physical line like Belfry's...furthermore they have not seen a single team that closely resembles Belfry

- Mason had success against the Bourbon Defense gaining nearly 300 yards.. Belfry's offense appears to be substantially more efficient

- Depth and conditioning will be a concern if the game is tight in the 4th. Seldom has Bourbon's starters seen meaningful 4th Quarter action.

 

Other Notes:

Belfry has not lost a road playoff game since 2005 (20-14 vs. eventual 2A Champ Russell). Over the past 12 years Belfry is 7-2 on the Road in the Playoffs.

 

The two teams have combined for a staggering 110 Rushing Touchdowns this season

The winner may just have to outscore the other.

 

That's what I'm thinking.

It is so cliche...but IMO turnovers and mental errors are going to be paramount.

 

Obviously in the realm of coach speak this is what you say every game..but I think this game puts a bit more emphasis on it for several reasons.

 

1. Belfry has had this bug the majority of the season. Until Round 2 of the playoffs Belfry had not had a healthy backfield pretty much since the start of the season. Injuries to Johnson and Hatfield forced Dari into a HB role and made Carr spend extensive time at FB away from his HB position. The timing of Belfry's offense never seemed to find it's precision and the end result was a couple games where procedural penalties and fumbles were borderline scary. It seems Belfry is finally finding their timing the past two weeks, but the level of competition is nothing like they will see Friday.

 

2. Bourbon is simply taking such a monumental step up in class from what they have played all season that they will have to adjust. Belfry will probably be the fastest, strongest, biggest, and all around nastiest team they have seen all season. Since Paris is Horse County... in racing terms the Colonels had spent 12 weeks as a Champion Thoroughbred racing in 20,000.00 Allowance races for the most part. They mixed a couple 60K Allowance races in when they played Breathitt County, Montgomery County, Garrard and GRC. Week 13 they finally stepped up to GIII Stakes Race against Mason..and though they won pulling away...there were times they labored and had to go to the whip... Friday they step up to a GI Stakes Race where they are sure to get knocked around a bit and taste some dirt. Belfry OTOH has raced in 5 or 6 Stakes Races... and with the exception of one race emerged victorious.

 

3. I get this odd feeling we are going to see Bourbon come out tight. A re-match with Belfry has literally been their entire motivation for their off-season and practices throughout the regular season. The funny thing about the Semi-Finals is the Thanksgiving Break component... there is more down time to obsess and have tunnel vision...especially playing at Home where Belfry has a decent bus ride. That Thursday evening and Friday is going to drag by for the Colonels as they play out the game in their head over and over.. meanwhile on the other side you have a Belfry team who has a Seniors who have played in 6-8 games like this before and spent the last 3 years preparing fro Black Friday Football. While Bourbon players pace in anticipation alone at their house... Belfry will have a nice 3 hour bus trip and a team lunch along the way to break the monotony.

I'm gonna go with the Pirates. Bourbon may have a tough time against a ground and pound attack.

 

Provided Belfry doesn't get a couple of TDs called back and can prevent a crazy fair catch-TD return, I'll say:

 

Belfry 35

Bourbon 27

Bourbon Co by 6.

Where is the high school field located?

 

Is it on 27/68 right before you get to the bypass, or is that the middle school?

Belfry 38 BC 29

Where is the high school field located?

 

Is it on 27/68 right before you get to the bypass, or is that the middle school?

 

Instead of turning left at the bypass (assuming you're coming from Lexington), turn right at that traffic light. Can't miss it.

It would be great if he would respond, but I understand if he doesn't want to go there.

 

 

Just saw this. Pope did a nice job Friday night. I would think getting last week under his belt will really help him this week.

 

Two good teams. Two very good coaches who are also friends of mine. Will be a super game. Best of luck to both teams.

 

:thumb: