What type of offense do DeSales and CAL run? If they have an offense similar to Belfry's, that is the only reason I can see for scheduling this game - unless NCC was having trouble filling the schedule with a high level opponent. Those are the two scenarios where I say this is worthwhile scheduling for NCC.

I don't know if I could get into saying if this is a good or bad game for either program, because that's not up to me. If NCC wants a really good challenge, then it's a great game.

 

One thing I can say for sure is that I want to see this game. Right now. Would love to be able to watch that game.

What type of offense do DeSales and CAL run? If they have an offense similar to Belfry's' date=' that is the only reason I can see for scheduling this game - unless NCC was having trouble filling the schedule with a high level opponent. Those are the two scenarios where I say this is worthwhile scheduling for NCC.[/quote']

 

DeSales is run heavy, but they pass more than most run first schools. I think playing Belfry will help prepare them for a strong running team like the Colts.

 

I am not as familiar with CAL

According to Clyde, NKY teams should never leave the NKY/Cincinnati area for games.

DeSales is run heavy, but they pass more than most run first schools. I think playing Belfry will help prepare them for a strong running team like the Colts.

 

I am not as familiar with CAL

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but did Belfry even throw the ball once in the state finals last year?

According to Clyde, NKY teams should never leave the NKY/Cincinnati area for games.

 

I get why Clyde says that. However, some coaches like to work in a road trip if they are going to travel in the playoffs so the team has that experience.

I get why Clyde says that. However, some coaches like to work in a road trip if they are going to travel in the playoffs so the team has that experience.

 

No need to travel four hours. I don't buy into the "take a long trip to prepare for the playoffs." Still about talent.

 

Plenty of teams within 60 minutes of Newport that can make them better.

 

With that said, it's two really good programs.

I'm sure this has been covered in past threads, but why don't NCC and Highlands play anymore? Could this rivalry ever be revisited?

Belfry has had to travel a lot the past few seasons just to fill out a schedule. They have struggled to get good teams to play them for a variety of reasons. The WV and OH teams that are similar in ability have to think twice about it because of their playoff systems. There aren't a lot of programs within a 45 minute drive that wants to play with the exception of Pikeville and Johnson Central, who both are thankfully an annual game we can count on. Prestonsburg and Ashland were once on that list but admittedly dropped the Pirates to find somebody less challenging to play.

 

As a result, over the last few scheduling cycles, Belfry has scheduled regular season games with Henry Clay, Christian Academy of Knoxville (TN), Gallia Academy in Gallipolis (OH), Knoxville (TN) Catholic, Cabell Midland between Huntington and Charleston (WV), Harlan County, Whitley County, Letcher Central, and an agreement with Southwestern where Belfry agreed to travel to them 2 years in a row. So far, Harlan County is the only one on that list who agreed to renew the contract after the initial 2 years, and it is rumored they are wanting to buy out of that agreement.

 

I don't blame the schools in NKY or other metro areas, where there are an abundance of good opponents, for not wanting to travel to Pond Creek. As a Pirate fan, however, I am tickled to death that they have this game with NewCath. Two great programs and a good solid test for both schools. And it will be a good crowd home and away and that helps with the cost. I suspect that both of these schools will be cracious and accomodating hosts to the visiting schools also and it is nice to see somebody go the extra mile for your team when you travel that far for a game.

 

In short, I am pumped up about this.

No need to travel four hours. I don't buy into the "take a long trip to prepare for the playoffs." Still about talent.

Maybe it depends on your region and your playoff path, but I think the travel, and the level of competition, has helped prepare Belfry for their playoff runs the past several seasons and it is hard to argue with their playoff success.

 

Is it necessary? No, but I think it can be helpful.

They came close Eddie last year at NCC but Highlands had a conflict with the date.

I'm sure this has been covered in past threads, but why don't NCC and Highlands play anymore? Could this rivalry ever be revisited?

 

I honestly think the only benefit to either team would be the gate. The last time they played Highlands won literally about 69-0. It sent Ncc spiraling. Being that there are many friends and family competing against each other, and it would be very one-sided, the game is not good for relations. I like to give my many NCC friends and family a hard time, but I really didn't enjoy the last meeting. They are some years NCC could stay within 4-5 TD's but those years are rare.

I commend NCC for scheduling Belfry. Since the Eviston era started the schedule has gotten better and so has NCC football. Wagner has continued strong scheduling. I don't want that to sound like a negative to the legend, but I believe the scheduling philosophy Ncc has now is making them better than say a decade ago.

It will be a good game for NCC in this way. The trip to Belfry will be a fun, unique game experience that the NCC players will remember the rest of their lives. Belfry is a very cool trip and stadium and the fans love their team.

Is this a good game for NCC?

 

Maybe, depends on if NCC can do anything against Belfry (which we wont know till the fall.) By anything I dont mean they need to score a point, but work on things. If NCC can get good work in against Belfry then yes its a good game to schedule, however knowing what the next 2 years Belfry teams are going to look like, it may not be.

 

I look at this game similar to the NCC vs SK game last year. NCC worked on things the whole game, and I did help them later in the year, as they went farther than I thought they would.