We all saw what Belfry was able to do in the championship game against a Lexington Catholic team who just didn't match up well with the Pirates. The Knights were a very good football team, but they were just no match for Belfry's style, strength or physicality.

 

Belfry cruised through the playoffs, while Lexington Catholic survived "The Gauntlet" to earn their spot in the finals. Throughout the season, fans on here of some of the western teams called the other eastern teams weak and predicted Belfry would cake walk to the finals and they would get exposed by the battle hardened team to come out of the west.

 

That didn't happen, but was it just a match-up nightmare? Would another team have fared better against the Pirates? Would Central or Boyle County have been better equipped?

3A Bracket

Couldn't have been a whole lot worse.

I think Louisville Central had the best shot to beat Belfry. They have played them many times in that situation and have planned for Belfry's offense many times. Still not sure they beat them, but it wouldn't have been a running clock, I know that.

I think Louisville Central had the best shot to beat Belfry. They have played them many times in that situation and have planned for Belfry's offense many times. Still not sure they beat them, but it wouldn't have been a running clock, I know that.

 

Only team that could have matched up with them.

Boyle Co would have kept it much closer IMO...they were pretty good at stopping the run. They also have an offense that is built more on ball control that would have given their defense a rest.

 

Still think Belfry wins tho.

Boyle might have kept it more respectful but what I saw in the Boyle vs. LexCath game I am not sure Boyle would have fared a whole lot better. Boyle wasn't exactly littered with speed. Belfry didn't even use the option with the pitch man against LC because the Knight's speed was so good to get outside. Belfry would have really hurt Boyle with the option from what I saw. Boyle also was not as deep as LC so fatigue would have played a role. Probably more of 31-7 type of game..not a running clock but decisive.

 

 

 

Central definitely would have been the best matchup. The Yellowjackets speed and LB play was the best of the lot, they had the depth to avoid fatigue, and had solid size and physicality up front. Furthermore, Scroggins scouts Belfry in his sleep and already has numerous years of experience against Belfry and their schemes. Nothing against Coach Perry...but LexCath was beat after the first possession when they stacked the box and Belfry rode their Fullback.

 

You stack the box against Belfry you have already essentially lost.

After watching the championship game, Lex Cath was a terrible match-up for a dominate Belfry team. I think Central was a better "match-up" as far as style of play (don't think they possessed the fire power), but doubt the outcome would have been much different. Belfry was clicking on all cylinders this past weekend. They did have a cakewalk to the title game, there is no doubting that. The west was definitely a "gauntlet" of teams desperately fighting for a shot a Belfry. Tough to argue that point with E'town, LexCath, Central, Boyle, and Caldwell making for some GREAT games. It is a shame that there is not more games like those on the east side or a mixture of east/west games to improve the competitive field. Having said all of that, hats off to Belfry. Very dominating performance in 3A this season, and by seeing their youth, I look for more of the same coming next year and beyond. Belfry IS one of the best teams in the state regardless of class, if not the best. The questions should be: "Is Belfry in a class too low for their abilities?", "Is the 6 class system working with these types of games in title match-ups?", " What can be done to level the playing field further?".

After watching the championship game, Lex Cath was a terrible match-up for a dominate Belfry team. I think Central was a better "match-up" as far as style of play (don't think they possessed the fire power), but doubt the outcome would have been much different. Belfry was clicking on all cylinders this past weekend. They did have a cakewalk to the title game, there is no doubting that. The west was definitely a "gauntlet" of teams desperately fighting for a shot a Belfry. Tough to argue that point with E'town, LexCath, Central, Boyle, and Caldwell making for some GREAT games. It is a shame that there is not more games like those on the east side or a mixture of east/west games to improve the competitive field. Having said all of that, hats off to Belfry. Very dominating performance in 3A this season, and by seeing their youth, I look for more of the same coming next year and beyond. Belfry IS one of the best teams in the state regardless of class, if not the best. The questions should be: "Is Belfry in a class too low for their abilities?", "Is the 6 class system working with these types of games in title match-ups?", " What can be done to level the playing field further?".

 

The East match ups looked bad because Belfry was simply that much better than anyone on this side.

Boyle Co would have kept it much closer IMO...they were pretty good at stopping the run. They also have an offense that is built more on ball control that would have given their defense a rest.

 

Still think Belfry wins tho.

Please! Central and Lex Cath beat BC and you're they have the better chance?

After watching the championship game, Lex Cath was a terrible match-up for a dominate Belfry team. I think Central was a better "match-up" as far as style of play (don't think they possessed the fire power), but doubt the outcome would have been much different. Belfry was clicking on all cylinders this past weekend. They did have a cakewalk to the title game, there is no doubting that. The west was definitely a "gauntlet" of teams desperately fighting for a shot a Belfry. Tough to argue that point with E'town, LexCath, Central, Boyle, and Caldwell making for some GREAT games. It is a shame that there is not more games like those on the east side or a mixture of east/west games to improve the competitive field. Having said all of that, hats off to Belfry. Very dominating performance in 3A this season, and by seeing their youth, I look for more of the same coming next year and beyond. Belfry IS one of the best teams in the state regardless of class, if not the best. The questions should be: "Is Belfry in a class too low for their abilities?", "Is the 6 class system working with these types of games in title match-ups?", " What can be done to level the playing field further?".

 

First a disclaimer:

I am an advocate for a 5 Class System.. I think 4 Classes are too few and 6 Classes are too many. I am also an advocate for a restructuring of the playoffs to ensure better competition, if someone ever comes up with a way to do this I fully support it.

 

Some of the more "Red Colored Glasses" wearing Belfry fans may take exception to what I am about to say, but this is my honest opinion.

 

Though ideally I would like to see more parody in Classes.... I don't think it is fair to point to Belfry as the problem. Belfry, right now, is the product of the single greatest wave of talent to come through Pond Creek. I have caught grief for saying this before, but as long as this current Junior Class is at Belfry they will be playing at an elite level.

 

With that said, and contrary to what some Pirate fans elsewhere will say, I think it is important for Belfry fans to appreciate the moment because it will not stay this way. Next year Belfry is going to be ridiculous again with 9 starters each way returning including a host of guys starting for their 3rd or 4th year. Though Belfry has a ton of talent coming up... this Junior Class just is something you rarely see at such a small school.. and once they are gone Belfry will return to the pack.

 

Changing an entire system or forcing Belfry to "play up" because of one class of players is not the right answer.

 

I also would point out that for a 5 year stretch in 3A Belfry was the sidenote. Central's dynasty run is the primary reason Belfry is the monster they are today. That loss in 2007 changed Belfry's program. Haywood went to more of the flexbone instead of the Wishbone. Belfry began developing speed and athleticism more than simply raw strength. They significantly upped their scheduling.

 

The blowout loss in 2010 then took it further. You began seeing Belfry limit two way players. The Middle School program sought out the very best in competition.

 

In other words...seeing someone else hoist the hardware made Belfry evolve.

 

My prediction... and once again it is one fellow Belfry fans won't like... after 2016 things will be a whole lot different. LexCath, like all great programs, just realized they have to change things up. Boyle County's legendary HC will definitely find ways to address his depth and gear up to take Boyle to a Title. Corbin with their great feeder system is not going to be content being Regional Runner-Up. Caldwell County knows what kind of bear will be waiting for them in the Semi-Finals and will change their trajectory.

 

Competition breeds evolution.

 

All I can say is hold on to your hats... with the programs in 3A and the elite coaching... this Class is going to be an absolute WAR for the next 3 years.

@ATLCat Don't get me wrong, I too realize that this type of dominance is cyclical. Caldwell (my home team) has had a great run the past 4 or 5 years. No titles, but for Caldwell County a great run nevertheless. I believe EVERYONE here was pleasantly surprised as to the level they played at this season. After losing Mr Football last year, along with several other very talented players, hopes were not very high at the beginning of the season for this squad across the state. BUT, yet again this team not only competed well, but was in the mix again for a run to BG. I expect next year to be another successful campaign.

Central would've been the best matchup against Belfry. Boyle would have put up a better game than Lex Cath but still wouldn't have been able to hang for the full 4 quarters. I say Central would've been within 7-14. Boyle within 14-28. Regardless Belfry would've won the title no matter the opponent in 3A.

Central and Boyle both would have played the game different schematically. Nobody has the size to match up with Belfry but neither Central or Boyle would have let the free safety sit back there and be a total waste the entire game. Belfry was playing 11 on 10 and had the size advantage. Catholic started in their odd front and switched to even and then switched back but never did anything with the run force in the secondary.

I can't speak on every team in the west from 3A, bit I can speak on Elizabethtown, Central and Boyle County. LexCath did not get it done in the trenches and it ultimately cost us on Sunday. I think the score would've been different had Boyle County or Central got a shot at them. I still think Belfry was the best overall team LexCath faced, but I do believe Boyle County and Central would've put up a better fight in the trenches. If you can make Belfry punt or maybe turn it over the scoring margin will decrease. Their first 5 drives resulted in rushing TDS against the Knights. The only shot LC had was a shootout, that simply did not happen. I think Central having more familiarity with the Pirates would make them the best matchup as far as scoring margin. I think Boyle would make them work as well and they would be number 2. Elizabethtown would be 3.

 

This is just from the 3A west teams I saw LexCath play, so I'm only judging those teams.

 

My guess

 

Central 13

Belfry 28

 

Boyle 10

Belfry 31

I can't speak on every team in the west from 3A, bit I can speak on Elizabethtown, Central and Boyle County. LexCath did not get it done in the trenches and it ultimately cost us on Sunday. I think the score would've been different had Boyle County or Central got a shot at them. I still think Belfry was the best overall team LexCath faced, but I do believe Boyle County and Central would've put up a better fight in the trenches. If you can make Belfry punt or maybe turn it over the scoring margin will decrease. Their first 5 drives resulted in rushing TDS against the Knights. The only shot LC had was a shootout, that simply did not happen. I think Central having more familiarity with the Pirates would make them the best matchup as far as scoring margin. I think Boyle would make them work as well and they would be number 2. Elizabethtown would be 3.

 

This is just from the 3A west teams I saw LexCath play, so I'm only judging those teams.

 

My guess

 

Central 13

Belfry 28

 

Boyle 10

Belfry 31

 

You are seeing it very similar to me