Never fun to be Pirate stomped...

Now that I have recovered from the trip and worked a shift I’ll post some thoughts. A lot of what I would say has been posted already and I can’t add much.

 

First, it was a pleasure to meet up with Lawnboy13 and mexitucky. Both these guys were very hospitable, and it was really nice to put faces with the names. I regret that I was pushed on time and only arrived seconds before the kickoff, and I had to miss out on the official Lawnboy13 VIP tour and pregame meal. I understand that is a treat and it would have been nice to take it all in. LB was on PA duty, and did a good job of it, but I had to wait until post game to meet up and then I was in a hurry to hit the road. I visited with mex during the first half while the game was going on and I’m sure I wasn’t the best conversationalist. Maybe we can meet up in Bowling Green first weekend in December and celebrate a couple of state championships. :thumb:

 

Now for the game. I was impressed with NewCath, especially defensively. I was expecting a bit of a dropoff from last season on the DL, but that was not the case. The front 4 was very stout, even though they were outsized by a good margin by the monster Belfry OL. NCC stacked the box and for the most of the game was in what was basically a 4-5 defense. The two down tackles and defensive ends did a good job of holding their own and letting the 5 2nd tier guys fly to the ball. It appeared as though NCC was committed to trying to contain the Pirates and prevent them from getting to the edge, and they did a good job of it. Belfry took what was available to them and pounded the fullback with Wellman and Fletcher, who I would guess averaged 6-7 yards per carry.

 

Aided by a Pirate fumble and several penalties, the Breds kept it really close in the first half, only down 14-0. The defense had kept them in the game, but the offense had a tough time against the Pirate D, and I would guess ATLCat is right that the Breds probably had less than 100 yards total against the starters from Pond Creek.

 

Belfry made a couple of special teams plays, including returning the 2nd half kickoff for a TD, to help break the game open. The pounding by the Pirate offense started to take a toll in the 2nd half and they built up a 34-0 lead before both teams turned the game over to the backups. There was lots of team speed for both squads and no lack of physical play. I bet there are a lot of sore young men this morning in Newport and Belfry.

 

I understand Henschen is OK and will be fine, according to Lawnboy13 this afternoon. That is good news.

 

Wellman, Catron and Varney continue to just make plays. These guys are football players. Belfry has some playmakers and nearly everyone on the field is capable of a highlight play at any moment, but these three really provide a lot of entertainment and they go full tilt all the time.

 

Cole Bentley was a monster last night on both sides of the ball and showed why he has more college offers than @theguru has ex-girlfriends, and that is a considerable tally.

 

I think this NewCath team is better than last year’s version at this stage in the season. I am a fan of the program and I hope to see you guys again in Bowling Green. When I think of NewCath football the word Class just comes to mind. Kudos also to the Pirate fans, who traveled very well. Nice crowd considering the 4+ hour drive.

 

I am in great company with Cole Bentley, thanks for the compliment @Watusi

According to the above article...

 

Belfry had 57 carries for 396 yds and they were 1-1 passing, a 29 yd TD. Total offense 425 yds

Newport Catholic had 27 carries for 100 yds and was 10-? passing for 29 yds. Total offense 129 yds

Here's a link with plenty of pictures of Belfry/NCC game. NCC Football vs. Belfry 9-9-2

For those not there, this Belfry team ranks right there with the '97 Beechwood Tigers. @theguru, yeah, I said it.

For those not there, this Belfry team ranks right there with the '97 Beechwood Tigers. @theguru, yeah, I said it.

 

You know it is funny that on the way home I was thinking that Belfry was a different team than Beechwood teams in the 90s but the dominance they showed reminded me of those Beechwood teams. Mainly they were good on offense, good on defense, good on special teams and the game was never really in doubt and it was just a matter of time until they put a hurtin' on you.

You know it is funny that on the way home I was thinking that Belfry was a different team than Beechwood teams in the 90s but the dominance they showed reminded me of those Beechwood teams. Mainly they were good on offense, good on defense, good on special teams and the game was never really in doubt and it was just a matter of time until they put a hurtin' on you.

 

The size and agility of the line compared favorably. Beechwood was a little more diverse, though Belfry didn't have to throw. Belfry has much more depth in the backfield. Beechwood had mainly Wulfeck and Coyle. Bishop was a good blocker, but an ok runner. Belfry has 5 guys who can break it. Beechwood had the depth and size on the lines to cause issues and a ton of speed on the backside of their D. That would have been a great game.

You know it is funny that on the way home I was thinking that Belfry was a different team than Beechwood teams in the 90s but the dominance they showed reminded me of those Beechwood teams. Mainly they were good on offense, good on defense, good on special teams and the game was never really in doubt and it was just a matter of time until they put a hurtin' on you.

 

You are right though. One runs the option, and one was a heavy ISO team. They took different paths to gain similar results.

You are right though. One runs the option, and one was a heavy ISO team. They took different paths to gain similar results.

 

Yeah when you get down to it teams are just trying to find a way to stay in the game against Belfry the same way teams tried to hang with the Beechwood 97 team and then hope for a miracle. But when you watch you know it is just a matter of time before the dominance just comes out.

I mean when you got to worry about cleaning up motion penalties in a game you put a running clock on a State finalist last year and what 8 of the last 9 years.....................they you really don't have much to worry about.

I do remember one game of Beechwood in 97 when Yeagle yelled at the water boys for not getting water out to the team fast enough in a 45-0 game..................and I think it was because there really wasn't anything else to yell about.

I do remember one game of Beechwood in 97 when Yeagle yelled at the water boys for not getting water out to the team fast enough in a 45-0 game..................and I think it was because there really wasn't anything else to yell about.

 

Haha yeah that is a good problem to have and also something I could see Haywood doing this year during District Play. Haywood is always coaching and always looking for improvement, I very easily could see a delay of game in a 35-0 lead become a butt chewing similar to a roughing the kicker penalty trailing 7-6

And these 97 Beechwood comparisons are high praise. That was an excellent team.

And these 97 Beechwood comparisons are high praise. That was an excellent team.

No doubt, that was a special team and they pretty much dominated everyone they played. "We are not perfect, but this TEAM is perfect"

 

On a related note, for my money I think 1997 was the most fun KHSAA Football Finals of all time. (except 2003 for Belfry)

 

Beechwood buzz-sawed the Dennis Johnson led Harrodsburg team with size, power and fundamentals.

Uncle Dudley led Bourbon County to the AA title after finishing 3rd in his district with Boyle, Danville and LexCath .

CovCath beat Hopkinsville for AAA, and Hoptown later had to forfeit all games because Artose Pinner was ineligible

And St X beat Trinity in the famous 3-0 AAAA final.

I happened to run into the Befry caravan traveling home on Friday. Does a Sheriff always travel with them?

I happened to run into the Befry caravan traveling home on Friday. Does a Sheriff always travel with them?

Yes, James Earl always travels with the team.