After waiting a week longer than most everyone else to open the season, will the Pirates be ready or rusty? Tates Creek lost to Scott County in the opener, but played well at Belfry last year. Can the Commodores compete?

Belfry will be a favorite in this one, but don't look for a blowout. Belfry has been nursing some injuries, and several starters have sat out both scrimmages. They have been searching for personnel at the critical LB positions, and one of the OL spots seems to be still up for the taking. Even though the offense Coach Haywood runs looks really simple, it does take a lot of repetition and practice to get down the timing, reads and blocking. For that reason, it usually takes a few games before they start to "click" on offense and Belfry has a tendency to start slow.

 

Tates Creek will pose some problems for Belfry, and they showed that last season. They have plenty of athletes, particularly their WR's will stretch Belfry's secondary and there will be some mismatches. Beerman scorched the Pirates last year, and he will be back along with Baird and Gentry, who both had nice yardage receiving in that game in 2015. Beerman had 126 yards receiving last week vs Scott County.

 

In the end, I'll take the Pirates by a couple of scores but I wouldn't be surprised to see this one close throughout.

I echo what 'Tusi said but I want to wait until later this week to see who plays for Belfry

 

Derek Wellman SHOULD be back this week after missing both scrimmages. Wellman for my money is the best LB'er in EKY and has the ability to make a lot of these LB'er questions go away because he can erase mistakes. He is also a pretty darn good FB to boot.

 

Dotson, Hall, and Woolum all are questionable as well and you are talking about three game changers if they can't go. An All-State OT that is going to play SEC Football. A 4 year starter at DE. Then Woolum aloneis an All-State Kicker, possibly Belfry's best cover CB, and their returning starter at SE, and expected to be the starting Punter as well.

 

Throw in guys like Brayden Preece and Jordan Scott who have missed time as well and will still have to shake the rust off.

 

That Woolum hole is the most concerning potentially. Tates Creek has two really good WR's including the 6'5 Beerman kid who ate them alive last year. I expect Devin Varney to get the call to guard Beerman.. but not having Woolum will be a tough matchup at the other spot.

Belfry will win by two touchdowns!

If Belfry's operating at 100%, give me the Pirates by 4 TDs. If any combination of Wellman, Woolum, Hall, or Dotson sits out this game, it could be a close one. Either way, Belfry wins, IMO. I'll split the difference and say...

 

Belfry 35

Tates Creek 20