Not far off BGC, almost 2-1

 

TOP - Belfry 29:43, Lexington Catholic 16:42

I stayed out of the prediction thread because it seemed clear that to stay with Belfry the Knights would need to match them mostly score-for-score. The defense was not going be able to 'shut-down' the Pirates at all - that was for sure. Slowing them down and getting a couple of stops was a best case senario.

 

The Knight offense failed to get off the launching pad. 117 yards, 5 first downs. Those may be program lows. But unlike the Highlands semi when running clocked kicked in 2 years ago the offense did not directly self-destruct with turnovers. Zero turnovers for this game vs two early two years ago. Just no spark - and thas can be attributed to a strong defense.

 

Credit the Belfry defense and pre-game study. They smothered at least 3 bubble screens that were always used early in games by the Knights. They covered the primary wideouts tight and well to take away the long ball. And they stopped Jaylen Jones up the middle running and swarmed on Andy Thompson on QB draws. No doubt this was best prepared defense to face the Knights for sure and they combined the size and quickness.

 

Maybe different plays would have worked better but you never know. The Knights did have some success with motion plays and did try to go to the 2nd tier receivers underneath a few times. But without some early scoring things were already bleak by early 2nd quarter. Most fans knew it.

 

Without at least 28 to 35 points on the board the Knights were not going to win this one.

 

As far as different match-up that would have looked better on scoreboard. Probably Boyle. Maybe E-town for 1 and 1/2 quarters maybe with their power running game. But E-town played 7 players both ways - the wear down-factor would have kicked in at some point. Central felt like looking into a mirror - good atheletes, speed, quickness but not overwhelming in size.

 

PS - anyone have TOP for the game? I bet it favors Belfry by at least 2 to 1.

 

29:43 to 16:42 Belfry

 

TOP is a bit misleading on this though because of running clock.

 

I like your point about the bubble screens. That was the biggest key to what belfry did IMHO. I expected them to take away the run game... but the Deep Ball and Bubble was the scariest parts. Belfry's DB's did a great job of blowing up the blockers. It didn't look like LC expected such physicality and aggressiveness by the DB's. Belfry's open field tackling was great as well. They hit low, hard, and wrapped up. Ogbogu showed how dangerous LC was on one of those bubbles once he got open field.

The team that Belfry became this year, it was just their year.

However as games our often decided by matchups, I would guess Central probably had the best shot as they may have had the size to not get dominated at the los.

The match up of Belfrys front vs LCs front proved to be Caths ultimate demise.

If you can't control the LOS it doesn't matter how dynamic a WR or qb you have. So therefore if Central could have managed the los better they may have had a better chance.

That's another reason you can often throw out head to head results.

You are entitled to you opinion. It's your attitude to others that is the problem.

 

Relax

Running clock :isurrender:

I'm of the belief that theirs not that big a difference in teams, but, sometimes, one teams clicking and the others not and the scores get lopsided.. These 2 teams could play tomorrow and it be a nip and tuck game.. I remember some of those Mayfield games where they blew away Hazard, Fairview and Williamsburg.. They got on a roll, got a couple of turnovers and next thing you know, it was a running clock, but, in none of those 3 years, was Mayfield 40+ points better than those teams..

29:43 to 16:42 Belfry

 

TOP is a bit misleading on this though because of running clock.

 

I like your point about the bubble screens. That was the biggest key to what belfry did IMHO. I expected them to take away the run game... but the Deep Ball and Bubble was the scariest parts. Belfry's DB's did a great job of blowing up the blockers. It didn't look like LC expected such physicality and aggressiveness by the DB's. Belfry's open field tackling was great as well. They hit low, hard, and wrapped up. Ogbogu showed how dangerous LC was on one of those bubbles once he got open field.

 

I think that is accurate.

 

And it was the DBs with coverage that were the problem. Thompson was getting time to throw. As maligned as LexCath's lines have been it has to be said the Knight O-line did the job of pass blocking pretty well.

 

#27 for Belfry seemed to have the JJ assignment.

 

See below for examples:

 

Thompson has time. But 27 is right on JJ (#1) on the left.

 

Thompson again has time and seems to be eyeing #17 Bo Bennington. But coverage is good.

 

Same play as above. Thompson seems to check down to Ogbugo on the side. But #27 has him by the leg and gets help quickly.

#13 in sequence above when from being behind the crossing receiver to the outlet pass location in a hurry. Those two photos are from same play. That tells you the hustle by the DBs for Belfry.

I'm of the belief that theirs not that big a difference in teams, but, sometimes, one teams clicking and the others not and the scores get lopsided.. These 2 teams could play tomorrow and it be a nip and tuck game.. I remember some of those Mayfield games where they blew away Hazard, Fairview and Williamsburg.. They got on a roll, got a couple of turnovers and next thing you know, it was a running clock, but, in none of those 3 years, was Mayfield 40+ points better than those teams..

I don't think too many people will agree with you on the bolded. Anything is possible, but this is not very likely. Belfry was just that much better than LC physically.

#13 in sequence above when from being behind the crossing receiver to the outlet pass location in a hurry. Those two photos are from same play. That tells you the hustle by the DBs for Belfry.

 

A prime example of playing a tough non-district schedule is Belfry's DB's

 

These guys got tested all year.

 

-Tates Creek had one of the most underrated passing attacks in the State.

- NewCath and Pikeville were neither full of dominant receivers, but they were very good at short and intermediate passing and being patient.

- Cabell Midland had the Hendricks kid who was very good

- They faced the Dalton gang from LC twice who were as good of deep threats as anyone in KY

- Above all was Amari Rodgers of KnoxCath... 4* Receiver going to USC. Will be regarded as one of the best WR's in the country and for good reason. He got his against Belfry but Woolum actually did a pretty solid job on him.

 

LC's WR's were excellent..but unlike some other teams that faced them ... Belfry wasn't seeing anything they had not already experienced in a game. The other big key is Belfry felt confident they could stop the run with just 3 down linemen and their two inside LB's.

 

Hall and TJ Dotson spent most of the day dropping in the flats or a shallow zone. This took away some throwing angles and intermediate stuff.

WKU?

I don't think too many people will agree with you on the bolded. Anything is possible, but this is not very likely. Belfry was just that much better than LC physically.

 

They were the more physical team, no doubt, but, they could play 10 times and you wouldn't have another 43-0 score between the 2.. Blowouts happen and when they do, the winning team always gets over hyped and the losing team gets under valued, but, the truth is always somewhere in the middle.. Belfry was the best 3a team in the state this year and they proved that, but, they aren't 43 points better than everyone else, even though the score shows different.. They could have played Central today and it be a 21-14 game that came down to the wire.. That would be much more likely than a 43-0 result..

Should have, could have, might have, but you didn't. BC didn't do their part to get a rematch with LC. Season is over for all. Talk about the future and the season ahead.

 

??? I answered the question in the post. The post was referring to the past. You're right Boyle didn't. They lost to a better Central team. The question was would anyone match up better against Belfry than Lex Cath. I answered it with my opinion. I'm not sure what warranted your response?

??? I answered the question in the post. The post was referring to the past. You're right Boyle didn't. They lost to a better Central team. The question was would anyone match up better against Belfry than Lex Cath. I answered it with my opinion. I'm not sure what warranted your response?

 

Gotcha :thumb:

Nah, we still want to talk about this season some more. We can talk about next year when we get bored this winter. :banana:

 

Well said Toots, well said!

Biggest problem offensively for LexCath in that game was not being able to run the ball against 2 high safeties. Allowed Belfry to drop 8 into coverage on long passing downs. Same thing happened in the Cooper game