Haywood going for win number 400 adds a little spice to this game. He was number 13 in the nation among active coaches going into this season if I am not mistaken according to MaxPreps. Good Luck to both teams.

Belfry Rolls!

Belfry is too much for Russell as much as it pains me to say it. I do hope Russell will get back to the level where they can defeat Belfry again and have a chance at moving on to Bowling Green.

 

Belfry 42

 

Russell 10

I see Belfry shutting the Russell team out. Russell does not have the big aggressive line that is needed to stop the pirates. I will be very surprised to see Russell score on the ground. If they score it will be through the air. Russell passed allot against Central getting ready for Belfry. The only way Russell wins this game is if Belfry is stopped on offense and Russell can score at least 1 TD. I just don't see that happening.

 

Belfry 42

Russell 0

How is Russell's health?

I think it will be closer than that.

 

McKee is elusive and has looked really good throwing the ball lately. Conley is just an athlete and can make things happen. Belfry's pass coverage has been spotty and I think Russell will be able to move the ball on them through the air.

 

I agree Belfry has an advantage on the line, but I don't think they will shut Russell out. The Pirates have also had a penchant for fumbling in other games this year and if they give the ball away a few times Russell definitely can beat them.

Saw this floating around on facebook...

 

Curious to see X Willis continues his pace...

 

Official stats havent been posted for Bath County game, but entering that game:

 

His Last 11 Touches- 404 yards, 7 TD's

 

I know against Bath he had a TD catch and a long punt return in an extremely limited workload. Willis has been playing at a very high level and is going to be a huge key to Belfry's Offensive success in the playoffs. He is averaging something like 14 yards per play this year and a TD every Fifth Touch.

How is Russell's health?

 

According to Russell head coach T.J. Maynard, Mitch Redden had concussion like symptoms and sat out against Pike Central and could be out again Friday. Evan Ison has a broken thumb but he played against Pike Central. We're a bit banged up like most teams this time of the year but I'm sure our kids will give it their all against Belfry.

According to Russell head coach T.J. Maynard, Mitch Redden had concussion like symptoms and sat out against Pike Central and could be out again Friday. Evan Ison has a broken thumb but he played against Pike Central. We're a bit banged up like most teams this time of the year but I'm sure our kids will give it their all against Belfry.

 

Good deal.

 

I saw where it looked like Conley banged up his shoulder a little against PC on a TD but he came back as well.

 

Still think people aren't giving Russell enough credit... these guys aren't just going to roll over and say "Whoa is me!". I think Belfry has some significant advantages that can't be ignored, but at the same time if Belfry reverts back to some old form and Russell really works their intermediate passing game there are yards to be had.

 

I am still sticking with a 28-7 type of game that makes Belfry fans say "We didn't play well", when in fact it has more to do with Russell finding ways to make them uncomfortable at times.

Conley has been playing with a banged up shoulder for a few weeks,he even sat out of a couple of games in the regular season because of it. McKee sprained both his ankles back in the Ironton game and sat out a few games as well. He has been back the last few weeks.

How many of Russells players go both ways? I know several of the skill guys pull double duty, but what about the big guys?

Side Note:

 

I would be greatly appreciative if someone can keep us updated Friday.

 

Will be out of town.

I look for Belfry to win, but not necessarily hit a running clock on Russell. Sadly this series has become one sided for nearly a decade now.

 

I think the Devils have a solid team, but what a strange season. Beat West. Lose to an average Fleming County team. Then West wallops Fleming 43 to 0. Then lose to Raceland when the win would have given them the district on points. Unreal. This team simply doesn't seem motivated, or prepared to play hard on any given week. And that's a shame. Because as ma y of us here know, when you're a Senior and that clock hits 0:00 that final team, for a lot of kids that's it.

 

I can't quite put my thumb on the Pirates either. When they came to Huntington to play Cabell Midland, I had no idea they would lose big. Surely the Knights aren't that much better, or, maybe they are. One thing I've learned is that sometimes a game just gets away from you. And the score isn't really indicative of your talent.

 

Amazing the run Belfry is on. Aren't they shooting for a 6th straight trip to the finals ? Still miss the old days at Vipperman when we were both in the same district. You won the district or you stayed home. My Senior year it rained so hard there was standing water on the field, so we warmed up in the gym.

 

Anyway, the season has been so unpredictable, I'll say

Pirates 29

Devils 20

 

If I'm wrong by a lot, there's no fun in predicting a blowout.

 

Real shame the Devils stubbed their toe on the district or this game would have been in Flatwoods. Coming from Cincinnati is far enough without going to Pond Creek too. I think I'll take this one in at Moms, enjoy her cooking, and listen on the radio.

 

Good luck to both schools. Here's to a safe injury free game for all the athletes, and safe travels for everyone.

^^^

Excellent post

 

On the subject of Belfry vs. Cabell Midland.

 

I don't think it is fair to either program to call it anything more than what it is. Belfry didn't play very well at all and destroyed any form of momentum every time it popped up. With that said, CM simply IS THAT GOOD.

 

People seemed legitimately offended when knowledgeable Belfry fans said that CM was probably the best team Belfry has faced in a sizable portion of time. I for one still stand by that claim.

 

JC fans pointed to a scrimmage "win" over CM, but as we saw when the games actually counted that argument really didn't hold much water. Ashland fans saw CM obliterate a George Washington team that was Ashland's equal... then saw Belfry beat JC.

 

I still stand by exactly what I said... I do not think CM is on the level of Male... but they are close. Simon Kenton with a D-1 Defensive End is how I would describe them.

 

CM out-ed Belfry in every category. They out executed them, they out-sized them, they out-athleted them..simply, put they were the superior team. Compound that with 5 lost turnovers, some questionable clock management before the Half, and Belfry basically folding once the deficit was set as if they were licking their wounds and just ready to go home.

 

I don't think CM is 49-7 better than Belfry, but the gap is still noticeable. I would not expect Belfry to stay within 17 points if they somehow played again.. probably not within 21 points to be honest.