I really like watching NCC play, always have. They are fundamentally sound, they get after you and they don't quit.

 

Smith was neutralized pretty well, but Henschen played really well I thought. In the first half, he really did a masterful job of finding open receivers and knowing when to tuck it and run. He throws a nice ball and he has some receivers who can catch it.

 

Belfry struggled to find a niche agaisnt the NCC defense and had two turnovers in the first half that led to 10 points for the Thoroughbreds.

 

In the second half, the Pirates started getting pressure on Henschen and that made all the difference in the world. Offensively, Belfry's big line started to wear down the NCC defense and the Pirates finally just became content to ride the fullback for 4-5 yards a pop and move the chains. I would guess 80% or more of Belfry's offense came from the fullback position, both Wellman and Fletcher.

 

I have to shout out to Freshman QB Avery Browning too. He ran the offense really well, kept his poise and stepped up when his team needed him. He didn't play perfectly, and had a couple of blunders, but he deserves some recognition.

Something blue was thrown onto the field, a player from NCC threw whatever it was back into the stands. Bad calls are gonna be missed but these were by far the worst officiating crew I've ever seen and to drive 4+ hrs for this was a joke. Just want to clear not blaming the refs for the loss but their definitely was some home cooking going on here tonight. The fans we met when we arrived were very nice and welcoming, completely different story during the game when fans of Belfry were saying things to our players when they were walking into the locker room at halftime, fans were sitting on NCC side saying some very obnoxious things during the entire game and to top it off while the players were eating dinner in the parking lot before they boarded their bus fans from Belfry was driving by screaming things. Wow is all I can say.

There are idiots everywhere, unfortunately they tend to stand out and those are the ones that you remember. The vast majority of Belfry fans are not like that and I'm sorry you were exposed to some.

 

What calls do you think were one sided? I thought they were bad both ways.

I really like watching NCC play, always have. They are fundamentally sound, they get after you and they don't quit.

 

Smith was neutralized pretty well, but Henschen played really well I thought. In the first half, he really did a masterful job of finding open receivers and knowing when to tuck it and run. He throws a nice ball and he has some receivers who can catch it.

 

Belfry struggled to find a niche agaisnt the NCC defense and had two turnovers in the first half that led to 10 points for the Thoroughbreds.

 

In the second half, the Pirates started getting pressure on Henschen and that made all the difference in the world. Offensively, Belfry's big line started to wear down the NCC defense and the Pirates finally just became content to ride the fullback for 4-5 yards a pop and move the chains. I would guess 80% or more of Belfry's offense came from the fullback position, both Wellman and Fletcher.

 

I have to shout out to Freshman QB Avery Browning too. He ran the offense really well, kept his poise and stepped up when his team needed him. He didn't play perfectly, and had a couple of blunders, but he deserves some recognition.

 

2C, who stood out to for NewCath tonight?

I didn't see any of that but I'm not saying it didn't happen.

 

I read where Onespiritedfan said something along those lines in the update thread. If somebody threw something on the field, it was an isolated incident. There definitely wasn't a bunch of people doing that.

 

If anyone saw that please tell us what happened. I assume most of the NCC folks are on the road by now but they would have had the best view.

 

NewCath parent told me that was at the game.

I thought Belfry would win by a lot more than 28 to 10

I didn't. Belfry's starting tailback and quarterback are still not playing because of a suspension and they are starting a freshman QB. Defensively Belfry has been stout against the run but have been struggling with pass coverage. NCC has some strengths that match up well against that and they were able to take advantage of it in the first half. I actually thought it might be a little closer than it ended up being.

If you ask me..Horton was held prob 80 percent of the time. I actually witnessed the first coach through the line for NCC not shake Haywoods hand after the game. I realize the frustration but you won't meet s classier individual than Haywood. .I was shocked to see that.

2C, who stood out to for NewCath tonight?

I really liked Henschen and you can watch Smith and tell his is special, but he was just well contained tonight. I remember him from the State Championship game last year, fun to watch.

 

I thought the defensive front 7 were very good for NCC. I heard Sutkamp's name a lot and Tallon seemed to be all over the field. #6 caught my eye on offense too, can't remember his name.

If you ask me..Horton was held prob 80 percent of the time. I actually witnessed the first coach through the line for NCC not shake Haywoods hand after the game. I realize the frustration but you won't meet s classier individual than Haywood. .I was shocked to see

 

 

If you thought Horton was being held then what about Lawrence who was being tackled to the ground every play. I'm talking about play after play where there extra hitting going in after the whistle right in front of the ref.

I was told NewCath did not gain a first down in the Second Half.

That is right.

I didn't have my radio, so I didn't get the stats, but somebody told me after the game that NCC had less than 25 yards in the 2nd half. :eek:

 

There were some questionable calls, some extracurricular activity going on, but if you are looking for the turning point in this game and want to point to something, that stat is it.

I really liked Henschen and you can watch Smith and tell his is special, but he was just well contained tonight. I remember him from the State Championship game last year, fun to watch.

 

I thought the defensive front 7 were very good for NCC. I heard Sutkamp's name a lot and Tallon seemed to be all over the field. #6 caught my eye on offense too, can't remember his name.

 

Kurtis' dad, Ben, was a 1st Team All-State linebacker and punter at Highlands ('86), & his cousin is former Bred, Jack Sutkamp ('14). Good football genes in that family.

If you ask me..Horton was held prob 80 percent of the time. I actually witnessed the first coach through the line for NCC not shake Haywoods hand after the game. I realize the frustration but you won't meet s classier individual than Haywood. .I was shocked to see that.

 

There could have been a hundred reasons why that would happen, if I did. How does that make him classless?

I wouldn't put much stock in the handshake snub, if it happened. Non issue. I saw Coach Haywood and Coach Wagner talking afterwards and there didn't seem to be a problem. Both coaches did a good job of refocusing their players and taking control. That is a sign of having your priorities right, and being a program with some tradition and respect. Both these teams fit that description.

Agree

If you thought Horton was being held then what about Lawrence who was being tackled to the ground every play. I'm talking about play after play where there extra hitting going in after the whistle right in front of the ref.

 

I spoke to someone at the game and will post their thoughts on Sunday.

 

What I will say is the first thing he said in response to the chippy behavior is:

"I don't think NewCath has experienced a team who holds their blocks downfield like Belfry and plays physical to that extent.

 

I also don't think Belfry has seen many teams who refuse to let them bully them and will get in their face."

 

I actually thought that is a pretty interesting point. It's actually legal to tackle a player on the line, it's called a pancake block and Belfry is very good at it. Lawrence is an outstanding player but gifted with size he is not.

 

 

The person I spoke to was very complimentary of NewCath especially their Front 7. Loved the quickness of Lawrence and the tenacity of Sutkamp.

 

For what it's worth he said poor Ray has never been held that bad in his life. The key turnover at the end of the game that Horton forces he did it despite a hold that was called as well. Said Horton took the game over in the 2nd Half.

I thought Belfry would win by a lot more than 28 to 10

 

Winning by three TDs with a freshman QB and your best HB after gifting 7 of the 10 points?

 

Not to mention this is the first game all season NewCath had the services of arguably one of the top players in small school football for the entire night.

 

We are talking about the AA runner ups as well.

 

Pretty solid dang win if ya ask me.