At this point...every game is a concern.

Every Belfry thread is the same haha

 

The realists come in and say Belfry by 50 or running clock.

 

The Belfry folks caution us that the other team is good and they are concerned.

 

A few folks stray in and say who they are rooting for.

 

Belfry wins by 50 or a running clock.

 

This one won't be 50...but Belfry will roll to the state championship.

Belfry 35

Corbin 14

This game concerns me.

 

Corbin has enough players with ability to beat Belfry, even though the Pirates are the favorite.

 

A lot of things will have to go right for Corbin to pull the upset. They will need to hit on some big plays and create some Belfry turnovers.

 

Corbin has had some younger kids step up and become playmakers this year on both sides of the ball, plus Sizemore has really improved at QB, and I would like their chances against anyone else in 3A, but Belfry may be just too much.

Here's what it comes down to for me

 

Where does Corbin go to "check the box"?

 

When matching these teams up I like to look at the battles that will decide the game...

 

Belfry O-Line vs. Corbin Front 7: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Front 7 vs. Corbin O-Line: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Offensive Skill vs. Corbin Secondary and OLB: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Special Teams vs. Corbin Special Teams: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Experience vs. Corbin Experience: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Size vs. Corbin Size: Advantage Belfry

Belfry SOS vs. Corbin SOS: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Senior Leaders vs. Corbin Senior Leaders: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Athletic Talent vs. Corbin Athletic Talent: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Head Coach vs. Corbin Head Coach: Advantage Belfry (no slight to Haddix but he is no HOF'er yet)

 

So what do we have left that is either neutral or potentially in Corbin's favor?

 

Belfry Depth vs. Corbin Depth? NEUTRAL. Corbin is a deep team that platoons, typically Belfry wins this check, but Corbin is the rare exception.

 

Belfry QB vs. Corbin QB? NEUTRAL. Both teams have stellar talents at QB. Noah Corbett may be the most under appreciated QB in KY because he doesn't throw the ball, but for what he is asked to do you may not find anyone else that could take his spot on this Belfry team. Sizemore is a stud and a Dual-Threat guy. both are the heartbeat of their team.

 

Belfry External Motivation vs. Corbin External Motivation? NEUTRAL. Corbin wants revenge and revenge is a powerful tool. Belfry wants greatness and knows this is possibly their biggest hurdle en route to a 4-peat and legendary status. Bottom line is, both teams know this is going to be a war and know they have to be focused 4 quarters.

 

Corbin Balance vs. Belfry Balance? Advantage Corbin. This is perhaps the biggest needle mover of the group. The Hounds epitomize balance. 43% of their Offense by the run, 57% by the pass. 32 Rushing TD's, 34 Passing TD's. Belfry... well let's just say few run it better by Belfry has attempted less passes than Corbin has completed TD passes.

 

The Hounds' best weapon is their balance and for a team that has at times suffocated the run this could be the key to the Hounds moving the ball. Belfry was essentially only hurt by two teams Offensively, Johnson Central and Knoxville Catholic. Both brought viable threats in balance that hurt Belfry for big plays.

 

Corbin Skill vs. Belfry OLB's and Secondary? Advantage Corbin

Corbin's balance may be their "key", but the actual engine will be finding ways to exploit that into success. Belfry's Secondary has been the one spot that just hasn't dominated statistically. Knoxville Catholic torched Belfry for 45 points and over 300 passing yards. Johnson Central threw for over 200 and gained just shy of 400 yards total. Cabell Midland had a back rush for over 150 yards.

 

STATISTICALLY Belfry has some vulnerabilities. The truth though is it has not been a story of sustained success, it has been a story of mental breakdowns and big plays. If you boil it down I would say well over Half of Belfry's total yards allowed this season have came on essentially 15 plays. Of those 15 plays probably half were the product of a busted coverage or a series of missed tackles (Cabell Midland).

 

I don't think Corbin has the game breaking ability to manufacture the big play in their running game. They are best suited for moving the sticks and popping the occasional 20-25 yard run. Corbin also doesn't have the elite athletes at WR that have hurt Belfry the most with deep passes like Amari Rodgers or Geordan Blanton.

 

Where Corbin will need to hurt Belfry will be with taking what they can get and doing what they do best..EXECUTE, EXECUTE, EXECUTE. Keep the sticks moving and take very strategic shots at the big play only when the risk is low. What gets lost about this Belfry secondary is even though they have allowed some big plays, they also have 19 INT's on the season, all told Belfry has forced 30 turnovers.

 

With so many boxes being checked in belfry's favor, if Corbin is to pull the upset it means they have to EXCEL in the areas that are expected to be neutral or in their favor.

Here's what it comes down to for me

 

Where does Corbin go to "check the box"?

 

When matching these teams up I like to look at the battles that will decide the game...

 

Belfry O-Line vs. Corbin Front 7: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Front 7 vs. Corbin O-Line: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Offensive Skill vs. Corbin Secondary and OLB: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Special Teams vs. Corbin Special Teams: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Experience vs. Corbin Experience: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Size vs. Corbin Size: Advantage Belfry

Belfry SOS vs. Corbin SOS: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Senior Leaders vs. Corbin Senior Leaders: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Athletic Talent vs. Corbin Athletic Talent: Advantage Belfry

Belfry Head Coach vs. Corbin Head Coach: Advantage Belfry (no slight to Haddix but he is no HOF'er yet)

 

So what do we have left that is either neutral or potentially in Corbin's favor?

 

Belfry Depth vs. Corbin Depth? NEUTRAL. Corbin is a deep team that platoons, typically Belfry wins this check, but Corbin is the rare exception.

 

Belfry QB vs. Corbin QB? NEUTRAL. Both teams have stellar talents at QB. Noah Corbett may be the most under appreciated QB in KY because he doesn't throw the ball, but for what he is asked to do you may not find anyone else that could take his spot on this Belfry team. Sizemore is a stud and a Dual-Threat guy. both are the heartbeat of their team.

 

Belfry External Motivation vs. Corbin External Motivation? NEUTRAL. Corbin wants revenge and revenge is a powerful tool. Belfry wants greatness and knows this is possibly their biggest hurdle en route to a 4-peat and legendary status. Bottom line is, both teams know this is going to be a war and know they have to be focused 4 quarters.

 

Corbin Balance vs. Belfry Balance? Advantage Corbin. This is perhaps the biggest needle mover of the group. The Hounds epitomize balance. 43% of their Offense by the run, 57% by the pass. 32 Rushing TD's, 34 Passing TD's. Belfry... well let's just say few run it better by Belfry has attempted less passes than Corbin has completed TD passes.

 

The Hounds' best weapon is their balance and for a team that has at times suffocated the run this could be the key to the Hounds moving the ball. Belfry was essentially only hurt by two teams Offensively, Johnson Central and Knoxville Catholic. Both brought viable threats in balance that hurt Belfry for big plays.

 

Corbin Skill vs. Belfry OLB's and Secondary? Advantage Corbin

Corbin's balance may be their "key", but the actual engine will be finding ways to exploit that into success. Belfry's Secondary has been the one spot that just hasn't dominated statistically. Knoxville Catholic torched Belfry for 45 points and over 300 passing yards. Johnson Central threw for over 200 and gained just shy of 400 yards total. Cabell Midland had a back rush for over 150 yards.

 

STATISTICALLY Belfry has some vulnerabilities. The truth though is it has not been a story of sustained success, it has been a story of mental breakdowns and big plays. If you boil it down I would say well over Half of Belfry's total yards allowed this season have came on essentially 12 plays. Of those 12 plays probably half were the product of a busted coverage or a series of missed tackles (Cabell Midland).

 

I don't think Corbin has the game breaking ability to manufacture the big play in their running game. They are best suited for moving the sticks and popping the occasional 20-25 yard run. Corbin also doesn't have the elite athletes at WR that have hurt Belfry the most with deep passes like Amari Rodgers or Geordan Blanton.

 

Where Corbin will need to hurt Belfry will be with taking what they can get and doing what they do best..EXECUTE, EXECUTE, EXECUTE. Keep the sticks moving and take very strategic shots at the big play only when the risk is low. What gets lost about this Belfry secondary is even though they have allowed some big plays, they also have 19 INT's on the season, all told Belfry has forced 30 turnovers.

 

With so many boxes being checked in belfry's favor, if Corbin is to pull the upset it means they have to EXCEL in the areas that are expected to be neutral or in their favor.

 

:ylsuper:That is some really good info. It helps all of us who have not seen these two teams play to be able to read this stuff. I, for one, love to read all of the ins and outs of Belfry and Corbin. It helps me know more about them and what to expect on Friday. These were my two picks to come out of the east to play for a birth to the State. Like I said before would like to meet some of the BGP guys from the east if you are coming to the game. I know that is a crazy statement, but it helps to put the face with the name. I'm going with Belfry in the game.

 

Belfry 35

Corbin 21

I will go in much more depth as the week goes and I can study up.

 

Lots of trash talk on this one already (not so much here) but elsewhere and on social media. Truth be told, very disappointed in how both sides of fans have acted thusfar.

 

People seem to be fascinated with the whole "crowd" aspect of this one.

 

"Is your stadium up to par?"

"We have seen bigger crowds than this and what you will bring"

" We're going to take over the home side if seating is not adequate"

" We're going to reserve the parking around the stadium"

" This group is creating a facebook page to try and stir fans up"

Yada Yada Yada...

 

 

Here's what I know.

 

 

IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The fact remains this is going to be a HUGE crowd on both sides that will be arriving early. Whether people are sitting, standing, walking a mile to the stadium, or camping out in the parking lot, I expect both teams to be proud, loud, and engaged.

 

The stands are not going to effect the game. The players on the field and the coaches will. For all this jawing about "Who's going to have more fans", at the end of the day they are going to neutralize each other. Corbin fans will be loud, Belfry fans will be loud, and there will be a lot of both. It's the State Semi's... we should expect nothing less. Let me also let you in on a little secret. BOTH TEAMS HAVE PLAYED IN LOUD GAMES AND BOTH TEAMS HAVE WON WHEN THE OPPOSITION HAD A LOUD CROWD ON THEIR SIDE.

 

Seems like a lot of noise for a game that will be over before the game clock winds down in quarter one.

 

 

 

---Lou Holtz

This game concerns me.

 

Corbin has enough players with ability to beat Belfry, even though the Pirates are the favorite.

 

 

Don't be concerned. The Redhounds have no chance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---Lou Holtz & LRCW

In all seriousness, I just don't see how Corbin pulls it off. I think this game may already be determined by the end of the first quarter. I'm hoping for a game that goes down to the wire, but I just don't see it.

 

I don't think Corbin has the game breaking ability to manufacture the big play in their running game. They are best suited for moving the sticks and popping the occasional 20-25 yard run. Corbin also doesn't have the elite athletes at WR that have hurt Belfry the most with deep passes like Amari Rodgers or Geordan Blanton.

 

Corbin may have the fastest player on the field Friday, but whether he will play any offensive snaps is questionable, although I kind of expect to see him in there for a play or two. Who knows if these plays will be executed correctly or not, especially considering he probably hasn't caught a pass this season. Corbin may need some offensive contributions from 2-3 defensive players to keep this game close enough to have a shot in the 4th quarter.

I like Belfry to win this one, but, I certainly don't see it as a blowout.. I think we'll be in for a long, hard fought game, that Belfry pulls out in 2nd half.. 28-14

Coach Haywood on Corbin: “This is the same team we faced last year but they are playing like they are a year better. They got everyone back and have had a year to grow. They are throwing more this year and they have excellent offensive schemes. They are well coached and you can tell that on film. They are just a really sound football team this year. One thing is for sure; in order for us to beat them, we are going to have to really beat them. They don’t have many weaknesses to focus on and this will be a tough ball game.”

I'm looking forward to this game at Corbin as much as any game in recent memory. This is the semifinals and both these teams are capable of winning. You can throw out all the banter between fans, the newspaper articles and the win/loss records. There will be a war tonight in Corbin and I expect both teams to be ready.

 

Corbin is very good and just fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball. They are going to be a tough out for Belfry, really. Turnovers and special teams will be a factor, just like any tight game.

 

This is what playoff football is supposed to be like. The crowd will be big and loud and there are a lot of marbles on the table. You might see both coaches pull some tricks out of their sleeves. Here's hoping for a competitive, injury free game. Good luck to both teams and whichever team wins, good luck next week in the finals.