There was coaches from across the SEC and Notre Dame recruiters were there that night. It was surreal, he was a talented guy

I was on that team and we dance under the lights at mall that night.

Now that is a true Pirate tradition. Dancing under the red lights :banana:

Being in the house, the night Pikeville came into old Vipperman Stadium and Belfry ended the Panthers 33 game winning streak is my favorite all time memory in this rivalry

Being in the house, the night Pikeville came into old Vipperman Stadium and Belfry ended the Panthers 33 game winning streak is my favorite all time memory in this rivalry

Definitely. That game is on the to-do list to talk about in this thread. Big time part of this rivalry, and probably the biggest game in the series.

We don’t play until Saturday. I am hoping to make it Friday to see my first Belfry/Pikeville game.

No game in the history of this series will elicit an emotional response from fans than the epic game in 1989.

 

Pikeville came into the contest riding a 33 game win streak (2nd longest in KY history at the time). They had won 1A state titles in 1987 and 1988 and were well on their way to a third straight undefeated season, and a third 1A Championship trophy. This was the best run by any Pikeville team in history, and one of the best dynasties by any team in KY to date. Belfry was 1-3 after close losses to Bell Co, Breathitt Co and Russell. Nobody outside of Pond Creek expected the Pirates to compete with the Panthers that night.

 

But as often is the case in high school sports, they forgot to tell the underdog they didn't belong, and the outcome was unpredictable.

 

The game was postponed to Saturday night, Sept 23, due to the threat of the remnants of Hurricane Hugo sweeping through the area on Friday night. A capacity crowd at Vipperman Stadium (which it wasn't named that yet at the time) saw the Pirates come out and dominate the Panthers for 3 quarters, eventually building a 33-12 lead.

 

The Panthers were shocked, and this rivalry only intensified.

 

'Tusi,

 

These old articles remind me of what the WDN used to be back in the days that Roy Varney was writing. Varney was no Pulitzer Winner, but he did a fine job for many years.

 

Also,

I wouldn't do this thread justice without this video from the '89 game

 

The guys responsible for producing these videos, Lukas Burchett in particular, do an amazing job.

I was going to post the video Atl. All in due due time brother. A little here a little there. :thumb: ?

The guys responsible for producing these videos, Lukas Burchett in particular, do an amazing job.

Belfry was still using 8mm reel to reel until just before this era here in the late 80s. There is a group who is converting those now a few at a time to digital. That is some old school film work right there

The guys responsible for producing these videos, Lukas Burchett in particular, do an amazing job.

 

Yes they do.

 

One of my favorite things about Burchett's videos is how he integrates the radio calls of JD McCoy from time to time.

 

If there was one thing I wish I could have it would be some of the audio from the great games in Belfry's recent history as done by the stellar radio crew or catching the late Steve Phllips making his calls from the P.A. of "another.... Pirate... Touchdown"

 

This also reminds me of another favorite thing of mine about the Belfry/Pikeville rivalry. I know people do the joint Bowl Games, but one of my favorite childhood memories was always the Pike County Bowl when you would go and see Belfry and Pikeville play headliners on the same night while both fanbases essentially shared the same grandstand bleacher. The longtime Pikeville P.A. man calling the games in his distinct voice (Ken Trivette I believe was his name).

 

You always pulled for the other team, but there was always still that rivalry existing and a bit of pride and arrogance watching the other team play.

 

"Pikeville is killing this team, but even though Belfry just lost by 2 TD's they still are going to win easy"

 

I still insist that even just one time, maybe as an anniversary of the Bowl, but I just want to see both teams playing the same night at Hambley on a Saturday just like old time's sake against two big time programs from the other side of the State or legendary nemesis.

 

Just imagine if you will:

Belfry vs. Highlands followed by Pikeville vs. Beechwood

That '89 Belfry team went on to advance to the 3A semifinals. They lost a heartbreaker at Highlands in overtime. I would love to see that video after all these years, I might be able to stomach it now.

Does Pikeville really have a chance to win this game?

 

If so, because we know the #1 team in 1A is going to lose this week, I believe the Panthers go to the top of the 1A Rankings.

 

For those of you in the know, how do the 2018 Panthers compare to the 2015 Pikeville State Championship team?

Does Pikeville really have a chance to win this game?

 

If so, because we know the #1 team in 1A is going to lose this week, I believe the Panthers go to the top of the 1A Rankings.

 

For those of you in the know, how do the 2018 Panthers compare to the 2015 Pikeville State Championship team?

 

I don't think Pikeville has that dominant player like Daric Pugh, but I think they have more playmakers on both sides of the ball.

 

Connor Roberts is not as precise of a passer as Charles was, but he is a bigger threat running the ball.

 

I think this Pikeville team is a little better at the LOS than that 2015 team on both sides of the ball and a little quicker overall as a team.

 

The 2015 team was a better in the kicking game.

 

I love the confidence that the Panthers play with on Defense. Very aggressive and not afraid to take chance sin the open field.

Does Pikeville really have a chance to win this game?

 

If so, because we know the #1 team in 1A is going to lose this week, I believe the Panthers go to the top of the 1A Rankings.

 

For those of you in the know, how do the 2018 Panthers compare to the 2015 Pikeville State Championship team?

I think they do have a chance to win this one. Roberts is the type of QB that gives Belfry fits. A mobile QB that can throw, paired with a good line that can hold their own has been an Achilles heel for Belfry. The Pirates will try to take away the run, and keep Roberts in the pocket and take their chances with the ball in the air. They will rush 3 and drop 8, and that formula works well for them unless they run up against a really mobile QB who can hurt you with his feet. It also leaves about a 8 yard seam in front of the linebackers that is ripe for the picking if you are content with taking those short gains instead of going for home runs. This year it may be a little more scary for Belfry because they are not yet where they want to be in the secondary.

 

I don't know if Pikeville is good enough on defense to consistently keep Belfry off the scoreboard, but if they can limit them to 21-28 then the Panthers have a shot, IMO.