I listened to 10 minutes (and 3 scores) of this game on the way home. For Station it sounded like the knew they had to stop Buford and were doing what they could to load up on him near the line. But when they did a reverse (good play calling) or he just broke trough the initial wave he was off to the races. Station relied more on their getting screen passes to the edges to play makers like CJ Walker.

Hearing a lot of chatter about Buford being better than Elijah Bell (Clay's stud back from last year). Bell was pretty ridiculous, anyone who has seen them both have an opinion?

Let's remember that Scott Co. held him to 58 yards. also I have seen Bell and I don't believe that Buford is quite on his level, yet.

Let's remember that Scott Co. held him to 58 yards. also I have seen Bell and I don't believe that Buford is quite on his level, yet.

 

I tend to agree with you. Bell was special, he put up the same kind of stats while splitting carries with that other back they had last year (#4 I don't remember his name).

Flip a coin. Both great on the high school level.

 

Keep in mind that Joquise Buford is a junior. More to come.

 

I has been load/reload for Henry Clay. They have been blessed with a full stable of running backs through the years.

Buford is more natural running the ball and a harder runner bell was more athletic speed based imo

If I were a fan of either team I would have said "WOW" twice after the game.

 

WOW that was fun.

WOW we can't win in the playoffs with that kind of defense.

 

Thank you Clyde. I was just about to post the same comment.

Let's remember that Scott Co. held him to 58 yards. also I have seen Bell and I don't believe that Buford is quite on his level, yet.

 

I tend to agree with you. Bell was special, he put up the same kind of stats while splitting carries with that other back they had last year (#4 I don't remember his name).

 

Where is Bell playing now?

Juco out west but heard he's back in town doing nothing but Don't know for sure he had a rough go at it transferring and all the political stuff his whole career I'm high school

Are both defensive coordinators on the hot seat? Poor tackling?

Let's not forget that Henry Clay managed to put up 7 points against a healthy Belfry team to open the season.

 

This is true and don't read to much in to my comment because I am not comparing anything, but the points Belfry gave up were on an unbelievable kickoff return. HC ran the ball strong in the game, but they did not seem to want to commit strongly to the run. When they passed against Belfry they were not as effective.

Well they are on their 3rd Qb now... being at the game clay rushed 3 most of the game and Davis was just in a zone passes were amazing. Station had 8 in the box but maybe a different set could have helped but Buford and Davis put on a show when Davis went out pulled groin I think the tide turned

This is true and don't read to much in to my comment because I am not comparing anything, but the points Belfry gave up were on an unbelievable kickoff return. HC ran the ball strong in the game, but they did not seem to want to commit strongly to the run. When they passed against Belfry they were not as effective.

 

Belfry's strategy that game I think is the blueprint of how to stop Henry Clay.

 

The Pirates CB's set the corner very hard and refused to give up the sideline. They pushed everything back in and forced cut backs. Henry Clay's OL is sound, but Belfry was able to create penetration in the middle with Horton. He messed up the timing on their inside runs and forced the backs to change their path on the reverses or outside runs.

 

Belfry's LB's were very quick and pursued relentlessly. When Buford or Robinson were turned in the LB's were flying there to make the tackle before they could get to top speed. Belfry basically dared Henry Clay to pass but kept two deep safeties. Belfry basically said if you want to try and complete 10 yard accurate passes have at it, but we are going to play your run and not get burnt deep.

 

The player who actually hurt Belfry the most was the QB James when he would eventually scramble for yards in the middle of the field. Burford was held to 38 yards rushing on less than 3 yards per carry.

 

In addition Belfry wore them down. Henry Clay plays a lot of guys both ways. Belfry didn't try to get in a track meet. They wore Henry Clay down with long drives and kept their offense off the field. Once they built a lead Henry Clay seemed to force themselves.

 

If you want to beat Henry Clay and slow down that offense this is the way you need to do it.

Belfry's strategy that game I think is the blueprint of how to stop Henry Clay.

 

The Pirates CB's set the corner very hard and refused to give up the sideline. They pushed everything back in and forced cut backs. Henry Clay's OL is sound, but Belfry was able to create penetration in the middle with Horton. He messed up the timing on their inside runs and forced the backs to change their path on the reverses or outside runs.

 

Belfry's LB's were very quick and pursued relentlessly. When Buford or Robinson were turned in the LB's were flying there to make the tackle before they could get to top speed. Belfry basically dared Henry Clay to pass but kept two deep safeties. Belfry basically said if you want to try and complete 10 yard accurate passes have at it, but we are going to play your run and not get burnt deep.

 

The player who actually hurt Belfry the most was the QB James when he would eventually scramble for yards in the middle of the field. Burford was held to 38 yards rushing on less than 3 yards per carry.

 

In addition Belfry wore them down. Henry Clay plays a lot of guys both ways. Belfry didn't try to get in a track meet. They wore Henry Clay down with long drives and kept their offense off the field. Once they built a lead Henry Clay seemed to force themselves.

 

If you want to beat Henry Clay and slow down that offense this is the way you need to do it.

 

You may want to consider that was the first game of the season. Henry Clay is a lot better than that now. Back then they were still playing the QB carousel. The kid that played the entire game at QB for Henry Clay friday night looked really good.

You may want to consider that was the first game of the season. Henry Clay is a lot better than that now. Back then they were still playing the QB carousel. The kid that played the entire game at QB for Henry Clay friday night looked really good.

 

No doubt HC has improved...but they did not have the QB carousel then. James played the entire game and was arguably their most effective player against Belfry. Outside of a couple decent gains on the jet sweep by Robinson, James was the only player able to gain yards against Belfry's defense.

 

As I said, the difference that night as Belfry's ability to create push up the middle and turn everything back in to the middle of the field. The issue though is not every team has a Ray Horton who can make that process happen by beating double teams against a solid HC line