Injuries are part of the game, and are to be expected. Does it seem like sometimes they just come in waves? You know what I am talking about, that season where everything looks promising and then Murphy's Law just seems to take over and suddenly your team is trying hard just to find enough people to fill positions?

Case in point, this year's Belfry team. This season started off like gang busters for Belfry, as they handled a very good Henry Clay team 29-7, beat a Harlan County team comfortably on a night when they could have scored 50 and then dominated Southwestern 28-7 when Southwestern had super sophomore Jordan Doan.

 

Since that time, they have suffered a rash of injuries (and one transfer out) that has completely changed the personnel on this team. Now they are playing lots of freshmen and sophomores, and moving kids around in different positions just to field a competitive team.

 

Last night they suffered a couple more critical injuries, and the extent of them are yet unknown, but ATLCat posted this in another thread and I thought it was worthy of mentioning. At the end of the game last night, Belfry was without the following position players from their opening day roster...

 

As it stands now Belfry is missing from season opening depth chart:

HB1

HB2

HB3

HB4

TE1

TE2

SE1

K

CB2

CB3

S1

S2

CB4

DT1

DT2

 

 

WOW!

For a small school roster, this has been debilitating. They are playing way more people both ways than they would like to. Their QB is now a HB, a LB is now a NG, a SE is now a HB, etc. I have to say, I have been impressed with a lot of the younger guys who have stepped up. That is a testament to the coaching and preparation that they go through from 3rd grade on up, where every level plays the same schemes and has the same playbook. And even though it has been fun watching the youngsters develop, and seeing the adjustments the coaches have made, it sure would be nice for some of these injured guys to make it back in time for a playoff run. Shew.

Getting people to feel sorry for a team of Belfry's nature, is like telling third world countries they need to donate money to America.

I have never witnessed a Belfry team this badly beaten up.

 

You have starters injured and their backups injured.

 

The only positive is Belfry's OL is healthy (knock on wood) and they do have 3 of their best playmakers healthy on offense in Corbett, Hatfield, and Taylor.

The Defense though that will take the field vs. Johnson Central will essentially be a JV team. By my count Belfry will be without 5 Defensive Starters Friday and 3 of their top reserves. Included in that group will be possibly one of the top defensive players in the State, a 3 year starter at Safety, and Bentley who is a physical mismatch for anyone. The secondary effect is now players who went one way are forced into doing double duty.. Corbett, Taylor, Hatfield, Dotson and I am guessing Wellman now will all be asked to play both ways.

 

I just pray that Belfry escapes this game without any more injuries. The silver lining is it seems likely they can have everyone back by the Regional Finals save maybe Woolum. Woolum will be a huge loss though. He kicked the game winning Field Goal in last year's Finals and the drop in consistency and performance is significant. You go from a guy who is as consistent as they come, range up to 45 yards, and consistently kicks Touchbacks to Keaton Taylor who only has one kick...about 25 yards on a knuckleball line drive HAHA.

Ask the folks at Monroe County about their injuries this year.

Getting people to feel sorry for a team of Belfry's nature, is like telling third world countries they need to donate money to America.

 

With all due respect it isn't about feeling sorry for Belfry, it is a major storyline for the 3A Title picture.

 

A healthy Belfry team is clearly the 3A Favorite. They dominated Henry Clay (A Top 10 6A Team who just beat Bryan Station) and held them to 0 offensive points, and they went on the road to crush the 2nd best team in 5A Southwestern in a game that easily could have been 49-7 (Belfry had two TD's called back on penalties 20 yards behind the play and took a knee inside the 5).

 

As it stands now with injuries it wouldn't surprise me to see Belfry struggle in Round 2 against the same PC team they beat and the Regional Finals will be real close without Horton or Bentley. PC moved the ball well against Belfry at times but had 4 turnovers.LC had Belfry on the ropes and Horton was a huge reason why Belfry put the clamps on them. The current Belfry team is vulnerable and maybe the 4th or 5th best team.

Getting people to feel sorry for a team of Belfry's nature, is like telling third world countries they need to donate money to America.

Not looking for sympathy, just discussing the way injuries come in waves sometimes.

 

Ask the folks at Monroe County about their injuries this year.

That is essentially what I am doing with this thread. I'd like to hear about MC's injury issues if you want to share.

Belfry is really good, they are more likely than any team in their class to just reload at an injured position. I mean the QB is now a RB, How many other teams regardless of class can do that late into the season? Except for maybe Hatfield and Horton, Belfry is easily interchangeable.

Belfry is really good, they are more likely than any team in their class to just reload at an injured position. I mean the QB is now a RB, How many other teams regardless of class can do that late into the season? Except for maybe Hatfield and Horton, Belfry is easily interchangeable.

To an extent, you are right, if we were talking about "an injured position" as you put it. However, when the injuries pile up like they have, they most certainly are not "easily interchangeable". You don't have that many replacements on the field without a drop in talent and more importantly experience.

Monroe has 14 kids out for season. Lost Qb for a week or two at south last week. Ok let me break it down a little...

 

Rb torn acl/mcl/ meniscus

Fb broken ankle

Wr knee surgery

2-Ol one broke wrist, one torn acl

Defensive end with broke tibia

6 Jv players out with season ending injuries

Two freshman out for season or longer

 

Have fr starting Qb, rb, two recievers.

Three sophomores starting and rest juniors

 

Only two seniors on field. One in each side of ball!

 

Injury bug has went all the way down to little league with broken arms, leg and collar bones.

 

OUCH!!!!!!

Sounds a lot like Mason County this year.

Monroe has first losing season since 2007. They went 2-8 that season as well and returned for semi-state run the next year

I am glad to hear that Monroe is looking forward to next year, rather than blaming it on talent like everyone else in Central Kentucky, injures are tough to overcome if you are not platooning. I know Coach Pettet and staff will have is guys in the weight room as soon as the season is over getting them ready. Monroe is a place where they make no excuses, blame no one, and does something about getting better. When you are not very good it is up to the coaches to except responsibility to make players better, just look at UK after two season under Stoops. If he goes to Michigan then they will go back to a 3 or 4 WIN team. Last time I checked many of the guys on Defense as well as Towles was recruited by the last staff.