Class 3A Semifinal: #3 Belfry at #2 DeSales

[DevilMayCare]

A two year semifinal drought might not sound like much to most programs, but most programs are not Belfry. With the exception of 2009, the Pirates advanced to the semis every year from 2003-2016 before falling in region finals in '17 and '18. After pasting Ashland 41-7 in Friday's quarterfinal, they're back to the familiar routine of practicing on Thanksgiving.

 

Belfry will be staring across the field at a team they've never faced before, DeSales. But if they look closely, they'll see a familiar face standing amongst the Colts… former Central boss Ty Scroggins. The five time state champion is now an invaluable member of Harold Davis' staff. His defense is in top form at the moment, allowing seven points in each of their three playoff games. This will be the first chess match between Davis and Philip Haywood, but Haywood and Scroggins have matched wits before, having faced off for state titles in '07, '10, '11, '12, '14, and '16. That familiarity will almost certainly affect this game, but to what extent?

 

Both programs have been knocked from their lofty perches since they last tasted championship glory, and both have designs on getting back this year. Which team will survive this semifinal encounter and punch their ticket to Kroger Field?

[Tigerpride94]

I’ll take DeSales since they are playing at home. I think this will be competitive game.

[SX1250.1]

This is your 3A State Champion game. Either of these two will roll Bell or Taylor Co.

[ICTHRUU]

If "Scoggins" experiment not enabled, Pirates with the win!!

 

We will be ready for the "run". Xs and Os coming next year!!!!!!!

[Jack Lambert]

I’ll take Belfry in a close one.

[ATLCat]

Tale of the Tape:

 

#3 Belfry Pirates at #2 DeSales Colts

 

Previous Meetings: None

 

Common Opponents: None

 

Best Wins:

Belfry-

#1 2A LCA, 39-20

#4 3A Ashland, 41-7

 

DeSales-

#5 3A Mercer County, 39-23

#7 3A CAL, 35-28 (2OT)

#7 3A CAL, 30-7

#9 3A Bardstown, 41-7

 

Losses:

Belfry-

Kettering Archbishop Alter (OH), 14-0

#1 1A Pikeville, 22-21

#2 4A Johnson Central, 53-16

 

DeSales-

#5 6A St. Xavier, 38-7

#4 4A Lexington Catholic, 34-31

6A Meade County, 14-10

 

Top Players:

Belfry-

RB/DB/KR Ben Bentley (Youngstown State)

DE/K Grayson Cook (Air Force)

RB/DB/KR Isaac Dixon

OL Ethan Wolford

FB Peyton Hensley

 

DeSales-

DE/WR Demtri Scott

RB/DB James Johnson

DT/OL DeJuan Watkins

QB/DB Demarcus Avery

RB/DB Antione Johnson

 

Quick Summary:

 

Though these two schools have never met, it seems like they are a whole lot more similar than many would expect. Both programs rely on a smash mouth and ball controlling Offense and have made their calling card in recent years from playing stout Defense.

 

Ty Scroggins is a vital part of DeSales' staff after countless encounters with Belfry while having a legendary career at Central. Since his arrival, DeSales has seemingly progressed more and more toward resembling the great teams Scroggins coached. Excellent athleticism at the skill positions and an opportunistic defense leading the charge.

 

Both teams enter on a similar trajectory. After tough regular season schedules and several losses while dealing with injuries, including losses in the regular season finale that left people questioning both teams, these two squads are now peaking at the right time and enter with statement wins by the exact same final score.

 

Belfry Keys to Victory:

1. Execute, Execute, Execute- Belfry has shown flashes all season. When the defense is playing lights out, the offense struggled to execute at the LOS. When the offense was generating big plays, the defense was struggling to tackle or missing assignments. Against Ashland, Belfry seemingly started to put it all together and the result was a dominant win.

 

2. Don't Let History Repeat Itself- The past two seasons Belfry's road came to an end and turnovers played a huge role. The last time Belfry ventured into Louisville was 2017 for a Regional Finals tilt at Central. Belfry moved the ball very well but numerous fumbles doomed them. DeSales is as good as anyone in the State at turning teams over, so ball security is vital.

 

3. Dare to be Different- Scorggins knows how to defend a Belfry Offense. The makeup of this Belfry team is a little different, as Bentley and Dixon's versatility makes them dangerous on every snap. Coming up with unique looks or formations may be vital to forcing DeSales to blink.

 

 

DeSales Keys to Victory:

1. Force the Issue- The two things DeSales does best is disrupting offenses with their unbelievable D-Line and making big plays with their athletes at the skill spots on offense. Belfry's offense is predicated on timing and by disrupting that timing it may result in negative plays or turnovers. Additionally, Belfry has struggled at times to make tackles and one failure could lead to an explosive play.

 

2. Don't Get Greedy- DeSales has shown more of a pension for maintaining balance than year's past. The hallmark of Haywood is he wants to make you one dimensional. Last week belfry shut down Ashland's vaunted ground game and the Tomcats could not capitalize in the air. Whatever Belfry gives DeSales they need to take it and be patient and avoid putting themselves behind the sticks or losing the ball by going for too much too soon.

 

3. Win the Third Phase- One place DeSales should have an advantage is Special Teams. The Colts have a solid kicker in Blake Givens and the ability to convert three points instead of going for it and coming away with nothing may be huge in a game that should be played under 30 points. Win the Field Position game and make your life easier.

 

Prediction:

Expect this to be an elite match-up. The Line of Scrimmage will be paramount and turnovers will be lethal. Both teams should be able to get some stops and both teams should be able to pop a couple big plays as they feel each other out. This game simply will come down to doing the small things the best. In a game that seems to be a toss-up, going with the team not having to make a 4+ hour bus trip and going with the team who has the lone clear advantage on the field (DeSales Special Teams) may be just enough of the difference maker.

 

DeSales 24

Belfry 20

[Hearsay]

Pond Creek fans: arrive early; bring big numbers; line the first 3-4 rows the entire length of the stadium; don’t let anyone dressed in orange stand in front of you along the railing. The old women with “CSC Event Staff” on their coats are not going to help you. In fact, if you seek authority about unruly behavior, even if you are the Belfry Principal, you will be escorted from the stadium.

[ATLCat]

Pond Creek fans: arrive early; bring big numbers; line the first 3-4 rows the entire length of the stadium; don’t let anyone dressed in orange stand in front of you along the railing. The old women with “CSC Event Staff” on their coats are not going to help you. In fact, if you seek authority about unruly behavior, even if you are the Belfry Principal, you will be escorted from the stadium.

 

I have heard a lot of smoke of issues with DeSales policing themselves and it seems to be creating a division amongst their community.

 

It makes me wonder if it would be wise for DeSales to move this game to another stadium in Jefferson County with separate home and visitor seating to try and avoid any issues or distractions from arising.

 

From the sounds of it, this is a small faction of individuals making the entire program look bad. Maybe a neutral field within the city may help neutralize the familiarity the comfort zone that small faction has developed.

[SpartansBasketball]

Please don’t group all DeSales fans and Alumni with a small group of people.

[SpartansBasketball]

Why move the game away from DeSales? They would lose their home field advantage with our students and fans being directly behind the visiting teams bench. Yes we have a small group of unruly parents, and I’m hearing that the issue is being dealt with.

[Hearsay]

Why move the game away from DeSales? They would lose their home field advantage with our students and fans being directly behind the visiting teams bench. Yes we have a small group of unruly parents, and I’m hearing that the issue is being dealt with.

 

The issue is not being dealt with. It’s been going on for weeks, by Desales’ own admission, and has not been dealt with. This is also not “a few bad eggs.” It’s is a significant number of abusive fans. The lack of enforcement by Desales makes them complicit. Bardstown’s Principal tried to complain Friday, but was instead himself escorted from the stadium. Process that for just a minute.

 

90% of the problem would be solved by simply giving the visitor the far sideline, thereby removing the target of abuse from the bad fans. Desales repeated failure to permit that, KNOWING the problem they face, shows me where their priorities are.

[Coltcity]

Not true, this is a one time only but ugly event that nowhere represents the DeSales community! This will be address within the DeSales family. We have witness personnel fouls the last 2 games that can enrage any fan bases, but no excuse for what happen last Friday! This will not be excepted. Our alums and fan base are upset at this, just check our DeSales Colts football site on FB web site. With apologizes to the Bardstown fan base for the unfortunate action of a couple of over zealous & 'ugly' fans. This is no way representative of the DeSales Brotherhood of alums and currant fan base.I don't blame the Bardstown fanbase was upset from I heard about what happen. I encourage them to call DeSales High School and voice ypur complaints. I promise personnelly that their will be NOT any disruption on part of anyone DeSales fanbase that will bring a bad shade on the DeSales community at our next game or I will not attend anymore games..... The Belfry team and fan base should expect a friendly if not cordial welcome from the DeSales family ! ....Personnelly, I address to Hearsay and others here on Bluegrasspreps, in no way is the DeSales community is happy what went on last Friday, our apologies. I personnelly did not witness it. I did notice the County Sheriffs and Security intervened at one point from where I sit on the 50 yd line at the top. I'm not a a alum but my son went there and graduated in 05, so I'm not representative of DeSales but as neighborhood fan.

[SpartansBasketball]

I think the DeSales fan base would like to be known for the cowbells and not a few unruly fans.

[DearToday]

This is your 3A State Champion game. Either of these two will roll Bell or Taylor Co.

 

Don't think either will roll Bell. But I'll take Belfry in this one. If Belfry wins them and Bell will be a heck of a game. Belfry isn't the best against mobile QB's.

[Hearsay]

Spoke with a Desales insider whom I trust implicitly and he assured me that Desales will take care of their fan problem. Because of who he is, that is good enough for me. I trust Friday night will Be competetive and enjoyable for everyone.