I so wish this game was being televised nationally. What exposure that would be for the kids and our neck of the woods. Good luck Pirates.

 

If we are being honest here it almost makes me jealous and a little mad that Pulaski County vs Madison Southern got a National Television audience a couple years ago with only Damien Harris being a D1 prospect (and he didn't even play) and this game gets passed up with all the storylines and prospects involved.

 

If I was a neutral bystander in Possum Trot, KY or Raccoon Summit, TN this game Actually makes me tune in or set my DVR. Pulaski vs MadSouth without the only D1 player, not so much

Will this game be streamed anywhere?

Will this game be streamed anywhere?

 

I think KnoxCath broadcasts all their home games live.

 

Irish Streaming Network | Knoxville Catholic High Football

 

 

If nothing else Belfry will have their radio broadcast on

 

93.1 WDHR - Today's Best Country

 

It would be a nice consolation prize if nothing else because the Belfry Radio Crew is very, very good. IMHO, one of the better radio teams in the State.Bobby Norman does a great job as the play by play man and longtime former Belfry Coach Steve Mickey handles the color. They usually do a good job of checking all the boxes you want in a High School Broadcast (regularly give down/distance & score/time), they keep their bias pretty well in check, and Mickey really brings a great perspective in terms of X's and O's... he was Belfry's long time DC (Assistant Coach of the Year once) and has good broadcasting chops to spare.

I think KnoxCath broadcasts all their home games live.

 

Irish Streaming Network | Knoxville Catholic High Football

 

 

If nothing else Belfry will have their radio broadcast on

 

93.1 WDHR - Today's Best Country

 

It would be a nice consolation prize if nothing else because the Belfry Radio Crew is very, very good. IMHO, one of the better radio teams in the State.Bobby Norman does a great job as the play by play man and longtime former Belfry Coach Steve Mickey handles the color. They usually do a good job of checking all the boxes you want in a High School Broadcast (regularly give down/distance & score/time), they keep their bias pretty well in check, and Mickey really brings a great perspective in terms of X's and O's... he was Belfry's long time DC (Assistant Coach of the Year once) and has good broadcasting chops to spare.

 

Awesome! Thank you!:thumb:

 

Go Pirates!

Per Maxpreps

 

KnoxCath's QB, Chase Cunningham, has thrown for 1720 yards thru 5 games with 18 TD's and NO INTERCEPTIONS

 

:eek:

They are a big play machine. They have several playmakers besides Rodgers. A couple of big receivers with speed, and a real bruiser #36 out of the backfield.

 

Hard to believe this will be Knoxville Catholic's first home game of the season.

Just saw this shared on Social Media by a Belfry Coach

 

For those unable to go this Knoxville News Station is planning to carry the game LIVE Friday

 

Home | WBIR.com

Knoxville Catholic rated #1 in 4A in the TN AP Poll this week

 

AP Prep Poll: Catholic, Maryville, Alcoa ranked No. 1; Fulton drops out

 

 

MBA and Ensworth ranked 6 and 7 in the Class II division

This game should have been played at Bristol Motor Speedway

After watching most of 3 games played by Knoxville Catholic this season I like the Pirates’ chances this Friday. I can't believe I just typed that as I am almost always doubtful in big games. Maybe cautious is a better word than doubtful. lol

 

Simply put, I don’t think KC can consistently stop the Pirates. KC has a lot of defensive playmakers, especially in the LB and DB positions, but their DL is not up to this task for 4 quarters. Last year they played a 5-4 basically and sometimes creeped a safety up in there too. That’s nothing new, Belfry routinely plays against 9 or 10 guys in the box. The risk to that approach is you don’t have much of a 2nd line of defense and a broken tackle can mean 6 points. Corbett ran the option that night very well as he, Catron and Willis each had over 100 yds rushing and the team rushed for 468 yds. A lot of that was a product of KC not being familiar with that type of offense being run at the high level Belfry runs it. No doubt they will be better prepared for that this time around. I wouldn’t be surprised to see KC work harder to guard the outside, and they have the athletes to do it. If they do, then I would expect to see Wellman and Fletcher get a lot of carries, and yards, between the tackles. That would shorten the game, and give Belfry more time of possession, though, which would favor the Pirates.

 

Belfry’s defense has a tougher task. This Irish team is loaded with big play guys and they have shown it. I think they are averaging about 350 ypg through the air. We all know about Amari Rodgers, and he is the really explosive guy they love to get the ball to out in space. Rodgers is not the only threat, however. KC has speedy guys and power guys in the backfield and a couple of big receivers who will be taller than Belfry’s defensive backs.

 

#4, Wood, is the speedy RB, 5’9 160

#5, Kountz, had a good game at Belfry last year as RB, and is a tough 5’11 195

#36, Kuerschen is a brute and can do anything, RB, 6’1 205

#8, Blakely is a big play guy, WR, 6’4 190

#31 Brown is another popular target at WR 6’2, 205

 

Any of these guys can line up at TE, WR or in the backfield, and they are very talented. I think KC likes to go vertical more than they showed last year, and they mix in some screens and short stuff to try and create some space. I’d like to know what their YAC combined numbers are, because they can all run with the ball after they catch it. Belfry will have to have really good tight coverage on these guys to be successful.

 

Belfry will have an advantage on the DL, and last year Horton and Bentley really created havoc for the QB. A key matchup will be Horton vs #68 Mays (UT commit). Horton won that battle last year. The Pirates will try to rush 3 and cover with 8, as is their M.O. with this type of offense, while occasionally bringing a LB or DE on a stunt. They usually try to take something away and force the offense to try and beat you just doing one thing. I think they will try to take away the run and force them to throw more. Then the Pirates will try to guard against the big play, maybe giving away some underneath stuff. This recipe has worked well for them over the years.

 

I think Belfry is the more physical of the two teams, and even though KC has some speed to burn in places, the Pirates have more overall team speed across the board. I think KC needs to hold Belfry under 28 points to have a shot, and I don’t think they will do that. If both teams play a typical game, complete with a penalty or two and no more than a turnover each then I feel confident. If either of those things go out of whack for either team, who knows.

 

My prediction Belfry 35, KCC 21

Here is a good preview from the KC webpage

 

Game Notes Vs. Belfry Presented by “The General” Jeff Patton | Knoxville Catholic High Football

Great breakdown Tusi

 

I have a cautious optimism.

 

The way I look at it is this... I think Belfry scores 4-5 TD's on Offense.

 

The game is decided by a + or - on Defense.

 

Every TFL, sack, turnover forced, key 3rd down stop, and holding penalty forced equals a "+" for Belfry

 

Every gain over 25 yards, Defensive P.I., key 3rd Down Conversion > 8 yards, or run of greater than 10 yards equals a "-" for Belfry's Defense

 

If Belfry can finish with more + than -, I think Belfry takes the W.

 

I am thinking 34-30 or 34-24 Belfry.

I forgot to add, as was evidenced in last year's game, it looks to me like the key to disrupting this offense is getting after on the QB. He is not nearly as good when he is pressured and he will throw it away to avoid contact. I would love to see Belfry keep him on the run.

What is the status of Adkins? And Preece?

 

Anyone else injured?

What is the status of Adkins? And Preece?

 

Anyone else injured?

 

Not sure on Preece but that is concerning

 

Heard Adkins was 3-4 week injury which should have him back around the last few weeks of regular season

 

Not having Adkins worries me this week. Browning played well at Safety but his lack of height scares me with the potential for jump balls with these KnoxCath thoroughbreds that are over 6'1