Belfry Pirates (11-1)

All-time Regional Final Record: 19-12

 

Lawrence County Bulldogs (9-3)

All-time Regional Final Record: 3-4

 

Past Playoff Meetings

2011 - Belfry 46 Lawrence County 16

2012 - Belfry 48 Lawrence County 6

2013 - Belfry 42 Lawrence County 6

2014 - Belfry 48 Lawrence County 14

I think it can be closer than the 4 past meetings in the playoffs, but I doubt by much. I think Belfry by a 35-42 to 14 score. I wouldn't pay much attention to the regular season game as a factor in this game. Belfry will probably not lose 7 fumbles this time around.

35-14 Belfry

 

Pirates hold to ball... Dalton gang pop a couple big ones.

 

Willis is playing at an elite level on Offense at HB and the complimentary pieces are showing signs of excellent execution.

Might be close for a quarter or two, but I like the Pirates by about 3 scores.

This one getting no love

 

Truth be told Lawrence is the team in the East that worries me the most.

 

LC has big play potential out the wazoo with the Daltons and Kiser, and no team has scouted Belfry more.

 

 

The mental aspect of this game is huge and how the earlier matchup actually plays into the minds of 16 year old kids.

 

 

LAWRENCE

One one hand: LC has to feel that they can definitely play with Belfry and that they let that game slip away. Belfry played bad...but LC also squandered numerous chances with self inflicted wounds. They have to feel confident because for as good as Belfry has been defensively the past few years if your name is Dalton you have hurt them.

 

One the other hand: You will never be gift wrapped a game to beat Belfry as much as the first meeting. 7 turnovers, most of which inside the Pirate 30. Spotted a TD to open the game on a long pass. A lead with under 2:00 left. Yet outside of a couple big plays you struggled to string more than 2 First Downs on a single drive. If you can't beat Belfry playing their F game..what will happen even if they only bring their C+ game?

 

BELFRY

One one hand: You won at your worst and your Defense rose to the occasion time after time. Even with your back to the wall you drove the length of the field for the win. You possibly set a school record for turnovers in a single game and still beat them.

 

On the other hand: It wasn't like you were snapping the ball short 3 yards on those fumbles. LC hurt you with strips and collapsing hard on the option. Yes..most were brain dead moments or bad exchanges... it still doesn't change the fact LC still caused more forced turnovers than most every other team you played. Lots of people telling you to book your room for Bowling Green and this will be a blowout. You barely survived over confidence once.

Kiser might slingin' it better than any QB ever has in Louisa. I think LC will move the ball on Belfry and keep it close for a while, but the Pirates will adjust and put the game away in the 2nd half. I don't see LC running the ball on Belfry and the more Kiser drops back, the more opportunities Horton gets to disrupt the passing game.

 

I expected Belfry to win last week, but the ease with which they dispatched Russell tells me that the Pond Creek freight train is full steam ahead. Plus, I think LC has lost a couple of kids for the year with injuries and Belfry appears to be 100% or at least close to it.

 

Belfry 38

Lawrence Co. 19

Belfry will roll in this one. They won't lose 7 fumbles this time for Lawrence to keep it close.

 

Belfry 55

Lawrence 20

 

Running clock at 48-12.

Lawrence needs to keep Belfry's offense off the field. Belfry needs to limit the completions to the Dalton boys. I expect a good game, mom's alma mater stays on the field offensively, but Cecil makes the necessary changes to pull this one out. Kiser airs it out for over 300 yards and Lawrence wins.

 

Lawrence 21

Belfry 20

Lawrence County is capable of beating Belfry, they came within a hair of doing it the first time.

 

Belfry will have to come to play to win.

 

I'm looking forward to it.

Belfry will have to come to play to win.

 

They certainly can't turn it over seven times and expect to win again.

Belfry's secondary has really stepped it up over about the past 5 weeks.

 

A lot of that is weaker competition, but they are absolutely crushing people right now and are playing more aggressive toward jumping routes and intercepting passes.

The defense and special teams overall has been creating a lot of scoring and scoring opportunities lately. Interceptions, fumbles, punt returns, etc.

 

TJ Dotson returning the fumble last week for what should have been an easy TD, only to trip and fall on the 2 yard line with nobody else near him was priceless.

CAN DAWGS FINALLY BEAT BELFRY? - The Levisa Lazer

The defense and special teams overall has been creating a lot of scoring and scoring opportunities lately. Interceptions, fumbles, punt returns, etc.

 

TJ Dotson returning the fumble last week for what should have been an easy TD, only to trip and fall on the 2 yard line with nobody else near him was priceless.

 

That play may be Sportscenter "NOT" Top 10 worthy if someone were to send it.

 

Literally noone within 15 yards of him and a scoop and score TD

I'll root for Lawrence as the underdog. Think they can win but Belfry likely rolls on in this one.