Can Belfry gain the top spot back? Can Pike County Central be a thorn in Belfry's side?

Pike Central's QB is a good one and Belfry struggled against Lawrence defending the pass, even though they shut the run game down. Could be interesting on Pond Creek come Friday night.

I really don't know.

 

There still will not be X Willis or Cameron Catron in the backfield.

 

Kaleb Edwards will help if he is able to return. He was dressed out last week and warmed up, but did not play. Edwards is a 3 year starter at Safety so he would immediately help the Pirates' pass defense, and he would help the timing issues on offense. Still from the reports I got he was badly limping Friday so my guess is he is out again.

 

This is not meant at all to single out a kid, as TJ Dotson did everything he could for being thrown into a position he hadn't played since middle school, but having him back there single handily resulted in about 4 penalties and two busted plays that went for negative yardage. Belfry was not able to use the counter the entire night without it being a total meltdown. The counter, and almost as important the threat of the counter, is a huge part of Belfry's rushing attack.

 

My guess is Belfry once again will have their Skeleton Crew in the backfield and secondary (Catron was the other starting safety and Willis the starting CB). My gut reaction is Belfry's staff saw a way to put a band-aid on their issues at Halftime last week. Belfry usually is the epitome of a vanilla defense against passing teams, in the 2nd Half they cranked up pressure and recorded I think 6 sacks. The staff also fed the ball more to Hatfield and used Horton at TE as a snowplow. Avoiding the slow developing plays or busted plays that was causing penalties and lost yards.

 

The undeniable truth in this game as Belfry should absolutely outclass Pike Central up front and PC will be essentially a passing only team on offense.

 

I am thinking a close game that opens up late:

 

42-21 Belfry

All these Belfry kids that are hurt, is this a short-term or long-term problem? Will these kids be back for the postseason?

All these Belfry kids that are hurt, is this a short-term or long-term problem? Will these kids be back for the postseason?

 

HB/S Catron= Broken Collarbone against Henry Clay, expected to be cleared by Johnson Central... may not see him play until playoffs.

 

HB/CB Willis= Ankle Sprain. No official word but I would say doubtful for regular season and back in playoffs.

 

HB/S Edwards= Toe injury. Questionable this week, should be playing by Johnson Central.

 

If I am not mistake Belfry was also without starting OL Brayden Preece as well. Do not know the extent of his injury though.

 

What has been the most burdensome is that the injuries have occurred at essentially the same position at the worst possible time.

 

With the injury to Catron early on (HB #2 and S #1) and transfer of Deonte Joplin during the season (HB #3 and CB #3) Belfry's depth was already thin. Then Willis went down (HB#1, CB#2) immediately followed by Edwards (HB#4, S #2). On top of this Belfry was making a QB change to maximize their playmakers and passing game.... so timing already was going to be a work in progress.

 

I want to say Belfry should be back to 100% by November...but I am afraid of jinxing it. Their backfield right now is still solid with three great running threats in QB Corbett (was SE #2), FB Hatfield, and HB Taylor (Was Split End last year and QB #1 to open season). Corbett is very impressive and has made some big time plays the past three weeks both running and passing.

 

The hope is Belfry can avoid further injuries in the backfield and get everyone back by Round 1. Work on your timing then.. Round 2 should be a rematch w/ Pike Central... work on timing some more against better competition... then by Regional Finals they should be rounding into form.

 

Catron is a kid everyone on Pond Creek has been dying to have back. At HB he is a pitbull and runs angry and attacks the hole. Belfry hasn't had a HB in his same mold all year. He is best known for his defense though. The biggest critique with Belfry defensively is they haven't been a big play defense or played with emotion. Catron is the human hit stick and definitely brings energy and swagger.

 

That Johnson Central game worries me though. I am just hoping Belfry comes out healthy in a game that is always hard hitting for the entire game.