ONA —The Belfry team Cabell Midland coach Luke Salmons will see Friday night won't vary much from the one he saw in 2008 when he worked as head coach at Lawrence County (Ky.). The Pirates beat his Bulldogs, 20-13, that year.

"They were very good then and they still are," Salmons said Wednesday before going to practice. "They did the same things then they do now, the same schemes on both sides of the ball. They're good at what they do and it's been like that for a long time."

Friday's game starts at 7:30 p.m. at Cabell Midland and is a marquee matchup for both West Virginia and Kentucky. The Knights are 5-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class AAA in the Mountain State. Belfry is 5-0 and No. 1 in the Bluegrass State's AP poll.

 

During the offseason, Salmoms scrambled to secure a 10th game for the 2015 season. After a round or two of phone tag, Salmons got a yes from the Pirates, who are defending 3A state champs in Kentucky.

While the matchup will attract media attention, this isn't Cabell Midland's first time in the spotlight. The Knights played four of their first five games away and have won at Spring Valley, Capital (21-14) and South Charleston last week (33-29).

"I told the kids they've faced a lot of tough teams," Salmons said. "This year the schedule is tough, a gauntlet. They're (Belfry) a big, physical team, but we're already used to seeing that type of quality football. It's not like gosh here we go. Are they good? Yes. We're good. It's a great opportunity for our kids. I didn't care who we played. Our kids deserve to play 10 games. Think about how far we've come where we can play a team like that and be excited and it's not just well they're really good and we're not."

Adding to the early-season travel for Cabell Midland was two away scrimmages. Come-from-behind wins at Capital (defending Class AAA state champ) and South Charleston said something about the Knights their coach already knew.

 

 

No. 1 Knights prepare for No. 1 Belfry | Sports | herald-dispatch.com

Not going to get any bulletin board material from either of these coaches, lol.

 

I'm really intrigued by this game.

 

This should be a great matchup of teams that are very, very similar, both in personnel and style. This game may not last more than an hour and a half either. Coach Salmons has done a great job at CM and is building them into the best program in WV.

 

Belfry's enrollment is about a third the size of Cabell Midland, and they have a smaller roster, but I don't think that will be the deciding factor. Both teams have depth and talent. Cabell Midland will be the favorite, but I think the Pirates are capable of a win. They can't lose the turnover battle, and field position (special teams) will be a big factor.

This game is going to have a massive crowd.

 

Cabell Midland is at home after being road warriors and their fanbase is rightfully very excited for their team. Belfry travels as well as any team in this part of the country. There will be a huge walk-up crowd simply because this is the first time in a while I remember a #1 ranked Kentucky team vs. a #1 West Virginia team. On top of that, some local Kentucky schools have Fall break on are playing Thursday.

 

Going to be the game to see for sure.

Not going to get any bulletin board material from either of these coaches, lol.

 

I'm really intrigued by this game.

 

This should be a great matchup of teams that are very, very similar, both in personnel and style. This game may not last more than an hour and a half either. Coach Salmons has done a great job at CM and is building them into the best program in WV.

 

Belfry's enrollment is about a third the size of Cabell Midland, and they have a smaller roster, but I don't think that will be the deciding factor. Both teams have depth and talent. Cabell Midland will be the favorite, but I think the Pirates are capable of a win. They can't lose the turnover battle, and field position (special teams) will be a big factor.

 

 

Really would like to see this game, but I have to work early Saturday morning so I'll probably just be a home body again this Friday evening. Good luck to the Pirates.

Really would like to see this game, but I have to work early Saturday morning so I'll probably just be a home body again this Friday evening. Good luck to the Pirates.

Come on out and I'll buy you a hot dog or three.

All I am hoping for is Belfry to to come out of this healthy and play them close.

 

Would be a tall task on a neutral field, but at Cabell Midland, in a game of this magnitude... I have a hard time seeing Belfry beat a team that appears to be better on paper.

I'm picking Belfry in this game. Go Pirates

Here's hoping that Belfry win one for the Bluegrass state in this matchup. Hard to root against Coach Haywood. Good luck Pirates!

Rooting for the Pirates. May go to this one because it seems like the best game around this week.

Any live broadcast of this game?

Any live broadcast of this game?

 

Just the live radio feed on http://www.wdhr.com

Will this game have video or audio stream online? Never mind someone else beat me to it.

What time will it start central Ky time?

What time will it start central Ky time?

 

6:30 CST

Game time is 7:30 EST, so 6:30 Central time.

 

That audio stream will start about an hour before game time (maybe 30 minutes prior) , and they will review several area games, then they will interview Coach Haywood and give a preview of this game.