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.

 

Nice summary.

 

I didn't get to make the trip to Belfry's beautiful stadium for that opening game, but I was very surprised at the final score. I thought Henry Clay had too much speed for Belfry, but I was obviously wrong.

 

For what it is worth, the wearing Henry Clay down theory because Henry Clay plays a lot of guys both ways is just not true. The Blue Devils play exactly one player both ways......Davonte Robinson. Coach Simpson has had plenty of good athletes to play two-platoon football for many years now.

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

 

James has not played QB since the Scott Co game. He is injured. #15 has been HC's QB and played the Entire Game, thus the QB carousel ending. IMHO 15 is also a better passer than James. This changes their entire offense. A lot of times ealry this year, James, #15, #16, and another kid played QB.

The fact that you ATLCat said Henry Clay plays a lot of kids both ways causes me to severely question if you've actually seen them play or not because in most if not all years, Coach Simpson uses the platoon system playing only 1 or 2 kids both ways unless absolutely necessary.

I don't remember a lot of HC players going both ways in that game against Belfry. I do remember Belfry being the fresher team late in the game.

The fact that you ATLCat said Henry Clay plays a lot of kids both ways causes me to severely question if you've actually seen them play or not because in most if not all years, Coach Simpson uses the platoon system playing only 1 or 2 kids both ways unless absolutely necessary.

 

I very well could be mistaken.

 

I do know that come the 4th Quarter both HC's Offensive and Defensive Lines were running on fumes.

I very well could be mistaken.

 

I do know that come the 4th Quarter both HC's Offensive and Defensive Lines were running on fumes.

Dude it was 70-63 lol that's gotta playing a role lol that was unlv Arkansas 91 lol

Dude it was 70-63 lol that's gotta playing a role lol that was unlv Arkansas 91 lol

 

Wrong game... we were talking about Belfry vs. Henry Clay

I very well could be mistaken.

 

I do know that come the 4th Quarter both HC's Offensive and Defensive Lines were running on fumes.

 

Now that doesn't surprise me, but in the Station/ HC game it was Station's line that looked gassed this time.

 

I think Belfry caught Henry Clay early.

DE-FENSE (clap, clap) DE-FENSE (clap, clap) DE-FENSE!