Congrats to Belfry and Coach Haywood!

 

Belfry owned this game from start to finish. The Pirates Power Running/Option Attack dominated the Knights all the way to a running clock in the first half.

 

Belfry has almost everyone back next year...

Too big, too strong, too fast up front on both sides of the ball

 

Hats off to LexCath... I know this is not how you wanted it to end but you have a great team who deserved to make it this far and a program who will be back in this game soon enough!

 

Belfry is really, really good

Congrats Belfry! Machine!

Dominating Victory!

Congrats to Belfry!! They continue to prove year after year that you don't necessarily need to line up in the shotgun every play and throw the ball all over the lot to have an effective offense. I love to see different styles of play, and I am glad they play their style. It fits their school personality.

Congratulations to Coach Philip Haywood and the Belfry Pirates on the 3 peat.

Congratulations to Belfry! Mountain Teams are now 2 for 2 with one to go (and no I do not consider Pulaski as a Mountain team as WYMT does). Way to bring it back to the 15th Region Pirates!!!!

Congrats to Belfry they're the class of 3A this season.

3A road wasn't as easy as some newcomers were expecting last summer. Belfry is just a machine. What a performance!

Scarrieat thing for everyone in 3A has to be Belfry's "youth". They return almost everyone next year. Are they looking at yet another epic run of multiple titles? Seems like their best football may be ahead of them, that being said after winning the state title, seemingly without breaking a sweat.

Congrats to Belfry for sure! Man those boys can play some ball. I was extremely impressed with the line play on both sides of the ball. What I really noticed though, was the speed of Belfry. They were much faster than I expected. Excellent execution of the game plan from an excellent team!

Belfry was just so so so much better in the lines. They weren't slouches at the skill positions either.

 

 

To the Knights, hold your heads high, you had a fantastic season. Look at previous threads on here and no one outside of the LexCath community thought you would get here. Went on the road and beat #3 #4 #5 in 3A. You have a lot to be proud of and brought the program to a stage not seen in 8 years.

Forgot to add this. Congrats to Belfry! Great team. Would be absolutely shocked if anyone is close to them next year in 3A and will be one of the tops in the state regardless of class, again.

1. First and foremost I really enjoyed the interaction with the LexCath fans this week. Very respectful and knowledgeable! Would be very happy to see these two teams meet again for a Title Match... and also would not be the least disappointed to see these two turn into a regular season game if alignment ever separates the programs. Tip of the hat for being so classy.. your program reflects the personality of the fans I encountered this week.

 

2. Belfry's Fullbacks were superb. Andrew Fletcher has put back to back performances I would call the best of his career. He and Wellman set the tone early and often and once the FB was working it was "goodnight sweetheart"

 

3. Belfry's secondary was fantastic. They never gave the excellent Knight receivers breathing room and they brought the hit stick. With the exception of one bubble screen I thought they brought an A+ performance...especially with how they blew up the blockers on the bubble screens.

 

Sophomore Devin Varney is a star in the making at CB. Get stronger, get faster, and keep studying film Devin and you will be one of those special players to wear red and white. He did something very few have been able to do and that is cover Ogbogu.

 

4. I created a little controversy when I hinted this team may end up the best Belfry team of all-time by season's end.... I think they have achieved that status. Already 2 wins over State Champs (Pikeville and KnoxCath) by 3 TD's or more... NewCath looked tough against Mayfield in a loss, and Johnson Central is about to play for 4A.

 

This team simply is special, but now is not the time to rest on your laurels. Enjoy this moment. Take a week... enjoy the hoopla..puff your chests out... but the rest of 3A isn't going to forfeit and hand you the trophy. Even with 9 starters back each way next year, that gap will close and close fast if you do not aspire for greatness.

 

 

5. Most importantly, time to give some accolades to the 5 Seniors who contributed in a big way

 

LB Nate Sanger- The leader of this Pirate team. Last year he was the surprise of the Summer after working from out of nowhere to a vital cog on the Defense. When he was asked to move to NG he ran with it. This year he had the dubious task of replacing Dakota Stanley and he did it with flying colors. Always gave 100% and will be very difficult to replace

 

DE/LB, SE TJ Dotson- If Sanger was the leader, Dotson was the heart. Always a knack for a big play and Mr. Consistency. He was also the guy to always step up and play basically any position on the field when needed.

 

P Devin Wellman- The most under utilized weapon in the state. Quite possibly the best punter to ever come through Belfry and has been a ROCK for years. Unfortunately for Wellman Belfry just simply did not have to punt much. Too many perfect punts to name, whether booming them, angle kicking, or just getting it low and letting it roll inside the twenty.

 

HB Xondre Willis- My favorite storyline of the season. Willis went from the doghouse to the penthouse. After his early season suspension left people shaking their heads he showed maturity beyond his years and became Belfry's primary weapon. A historic season capped off with a beautiful run today. I truly hope someone gives this kid a chance at the next level.

 

T Austin Gibbs- The anchor of the best Belfry Oline I think I have ever seen. Gibbs started three years and brought his big game experience and was the stabilizing factor as a young, but talented, line had to find their rhythm. He will leave with three rings and no kid or family will appreciate them more. What Belfry pride is all about.

Domination.

Congrats to Belfry. I admit I am surprised at the final score.