3A #1 Belfry looks to start off the season with a win against Tates Creek. The Pirates are replacing a few holes in their lineup from last season while the Commodores look to improve in year number two under Antoine Sims. Who wins?

Belfry wins but I honestly have no clue on the Final Score.

 

Pirates Offensively are akin to the smoking hot girl you dated who would key your car and slash your tries because of a mis-understanding. At times this pre-season they have looked amazing and someone you would marry on the spot, at other times they have you wanting to get a restraining order.

 

What I do know is Belfry's defense will do it's part.

 

If Belfry continues their schizophrenia:

28-21 Belfry

 

If Belfry gets it together and holds on to the football and executes:

48-7 Belfry

Belfry wins but I honestly have no clue on the Final Score.

 

Pirates Offensively are akin to the smoking hot girl you dated who would key your car and slash your tries because of a mis-understanding. At times this pre-season they have looked amazing and someone you would marry on the spot, at other times they have you wanting to get a restraining order.

 

What I do know is Belfry's defense will do it's part.

 

If Belfry continues their schizophrenia:

28-21 Belfry

 

If Belfry gets it together and holds on to the football and executes:

48-7 Belfry

 

Speaking from experience?

 

As for the game... Last year Belfry bucked their trend of slow starts to the season by whipping a fast Henry Clay team. As far as I can tell, Tates Creek doesn't quite have Henry Clay speed, but they are a 6A Lexington school so they shouldn't be taken lightly.

 

I could see this game being competitive into the second half if Belfry's out of sync on offense(which I hear they have been at times in their scrimmages). The Pirates defense however, should be clicking right out of the gate. Horton, Sanger & Co. will pick up any slack left by the offense. I'm hesitant to name a score, but I'll say Belfry by 3 TDs.

Belfry should be the favorite and they are playing at home. The Pirates are talented but have some holes to fill and it may take them a while to get where they want to be.

 

I'll take the Pirates 28-14 but could see it being 7 points either direction.

Belfry wins this one by 21+.

Belfry may be a slow starter, but I don't think Tates Creek has the talent to stay with them at all. Belfry shouldn't have any trouble in this one and should roll.

I know I am a pessimist at heart when it comes to the Pirates, and that may be all it is, but I am not super confident going into this game.

 

The growing pains we are having at key positions give me pause. All the recent success we have had and the confidence that comes with that in the mids of teenagers have me doubting. The fumbles in scrimmages are troubling. And playing a 6A school with more speed and game under their belt is a big concern.

 

Call it a bad "vibe".

I think Belfry's corners and defensive ends (OLB's) are going to be tested big time. Watching a little of the Scott County game, TC threw a lot of sideline fly routes and slants as well as some flare stuff out of the backfield towards the flats. They have a pretty good receiving corp.

 

I do think Belfry is better on the LOS and in run defense.

 

When Belfry is on offense I still don't know what to expect. I hope we just take care of the football and put together some drives.

 

Should be closer than some think.

I think Belfry's corners and defensive ends (OLB's) are going to be tested big time. Watching a little of the Scott County game, TC threw a lot of sideline fly routes and slants as well as some flare stuff out of the backfield towards the flats. They have a pretty good receiving corp.

 

I do think Belfry is better on the LOS and in run defense.

 

When Belfry is on offense I still don't know what to expect. I hope we just take care of the football and put together some drives.

 

Should be closer than some think.

 

I am still cautiously confident.

 

I saw some things from Tates Creek that made me worry from a pessimist's standpoint.

 

As mentioned the fly routes worry me with the 6'4 Beerman. He made some big plays vs. Scott County and had another big play that was wiped out because his foot barely landed out of bounds. The other receivers I am not overly worried about, but that kid can ball and will be a matchup nightmare.

 

I am also worried about the little flare pass out of the backfield. This didn't work hardly at all vs. Scott County, but I think Belfry may be a bit more suspect because of how Haywood likes to play these spread teams early in the season. Tates Creek's backs have home run speed and Belfry usually concedes passes out of the backfield and plays ultra conservative. My fear is Belfry's DB's haven't gotten their tackling chops and the two LB's asked to range out are too green and a 3 yard flare may turn to a 60 yard TD because of a missed tackle in the open field. Four weeks from now I would not be overly worried.

 

I also have concerns because that Scott County score was a bit misleading how it played out. Tates Creek had some drives and had some big plays where the QB threw perfect passes. What hurt Tates Creek was Scott COunty was able to dial up pressure when they needed and get a sack and they stopped no less than three drives with a big sack. Haywood will rush 3, 4 at most, all night and drop the ends.

 

I also thought Tates Creek was at a severe mismatch scheme wise vs. Scott County. Scott County's offense thrived off field position (Tates Creek punt game was attrocious) and thrived off getting 20-25 yard gains in chunks. There were no less than 5 plays that Tates Creek actually had two guys deeper than the handoff and Scott County turned it into a huge game. Right now Belfry's offense isn't on the level of Scott County's and Belfry won't be able to abuse TC with misdirection like Scott County did.

 

Here's the thing... if Belfry can force Tates Creek to drive and take away all the small stuff (run game and flare pass) and settle for numerous deep passes... and if Belfry can hold on to the ball..I feel VERY confident.

 

I am also scared of the thought of 2 or 3 fumbles giving TC the ball where all they need is to throw a shot to the endzone and let Beerman outleap Belfry's corners.

 

Just hold on to the ball and you win Belfry.... put it on the deck and this one may be dangerous.

Also as a side note here si the Medical Leader Pigskin preview for local teams around the Big Sandy Valley

 

 

http://www.medicalleader.org/pdf/august_28_2015_b.pdf

 

Belfry is a very big team in case noone knew HAHA

 

Here is the Belfry Starting Line:

6'2 276 T

6'5 305 G

6'6 276 T

6'5 301 TE

5'9 200 C

5'9 313 G

 

Average: 6'2 279