#23 Chris Varney had Gross from behind, Jones came in and laid the hit. Two big runs by Howard, a face mask penalty, and two big runs by Jones resulted in the Jones TD. Howard's run came right after Meko kicked a field goal & his ensuing kickoff resulted in a touchback. The 80-yard TD run was the last play of the 3rd quarter.

 

BTW...Howard caused Gross' fumble at the end of the 1st half by knocking a blocker into an unsuspecting Gross.

Yep you are right about Howards big run. It was after the field goal and also another big momentum shift.

 

I believe the fumble on the KO return was knocked out from behind by a Belfry player. Had the ball not been punched loose Gross may have been gone.

 

All were big plays in that game.

You can say that Russell/Belfry is the true AA state title game if you want. But if the winner has to play Mercer and they lose to Mercer will you feel like a champion? The champion is the team who wins their last game of the season. Mercer has competed in AA all year.

I believe Belfry this year is much better than last years squad........

 

I do think the 03' was the best team of them all

I think '03 had the most impressive run and was better as an all-around TEAM (much like this season).. but the best Belfry team of all-time ahd to be the 2004 squad we are talking about.

 

They just absolutely demoralized teams that year! They defeated Pburg twice and Russell who I think both would have went on to defeat OC had they played them. They rushed for the second highest ammount of yards in State History behind Bryan Station and set the 2A Rushing record in the process.

 

That Russell game looked like Belfry had it in hand on the scoreboard, but anyone that was at the game will testify that the two teams were pretty fairly even.

 

What made the 2003/2004 teams so dangerous IMO was that if you made a mistake, they made you pay for it. We did that last week, we need to do it the rest of the year if we have title hopes.

You can say that Russell/Belfry is the true AA state title game if you want. But if the winner has to play Mercer and they lose to Mercer will you feel like a champion? The champion is the team who wins their last game of the season. Mercer has competed in AA all year.

 

I agree... Mercer also has a true right of passage to win the state title. OC who has been to the state finals two straight years and is the reigning king of the west... and then the two most dominant 2A programs in recent years representing the East semi-state which has owned 2A.

 

Numbers advantage, class, or not... if you can beat Owensboro Catholic and Russell/Belfry in successive weeks you have a darn good football team!

All I can say Cam is .

 

I don't see it that way and I'm not sure the trophy will read any different regardless of who hoists it.

 

I suppose the apologetics by some on here are either excuses if they lose to Mercer, or a way to build up the victory even more when you beat Mercer.

 

As a fan with no dog in this hunt I think all the jabs at consolidation have begun to seem old and petty.

:thumb: :thumb: Very well said....

You can say that Russell/Belfry is the true AA state title game if you want. But if the winner has to play Mercer and they lose to Mercer will you feel like a champion? The champion is the team who wins their last game of the season. Mercer has competed in AA all year.

 

Anyone who thinks that the Russell, Belfry game is the tital game has not been paying attention. Yes several years ago when Breathitt beat Russell in triple OT the went on to beat Corbin 50 something zip one could say it was the tital game. Not last year and not this year. I still think Mercer is the favorite. Sure I could say Russell or Belfry is the favorite with my heart. My brain tells me that Mercer will win it all.

 

Now if Russell and Raceland combined and were to play in 2-A I would pick Russelland over Mercer hands down. Also if Belfry were to combine with Prestonsburg I would pick Belfryburg over Mercer. Don't get me wrong Mercer can be stopped. I'm pulling for Mercer right now. Come December 1, 2006 I will be pulling for the underdog. I just love football way to much.

Agree with Jeepman , if Devils and Rams joined in 2a would be unbeatable...

 

But I think Devils can play with anyone , especially Mercer .... Skill and speed is what the devils have top to bottom .... This is another game that will go late into the 4th and the team who takes care of the ball wins .... I think Clark is the difference ...

I agree... Mercer also has a true right of passage to win the state title. OC who has been to the state finals two straight years and is the reigning king of the west... and then the two most dominant 2A programs in recent years representing the East semi-state which has owned 2A.

 

Numbers advantage, class, or not... if you can beat Owensboro Catholic and Russell/Belfry in successive weeks you have a darn good football team!

I agree ,can't argue with that .