It will be a refresh of an old rivalry as Belfry travels to Ashland to take on the Tomcats at historic Putnam Stadium. Booth teams enjoyed 42-0 running clock whitewashings in the 3rd Round. Ashland had little resistance from Fleming County meanwhile Belfry laid waste to Bell County in a rematch of last year's State Finals. Ashland enters with a pristine undefeated record, in fact the last time the Tomcats tasted defeat was in the 2019 Regional Finals when Belfry pummeled the Tomcats 41-7 on Pond Creek.

The Tomcats are paced by dynamic playmaker Keontae Pittman and dual purpose threat JT Garrett. The two have accounted for over 2000 yards from scrimmage and over 30 TD's on the season. Garrett was the lone bright spot for the Tomcats in last year's affair accounting for their only score and just shy of 100 rushing yards. Belfry counters with Mr. Football candidate Isaac Dixon who continues to make mouths drop each time he takes the field. Dixon's latest gem pushes him above the 1600 yard mark on the ground for the season and he has now accounted for 30 TD's in some capacity. QB and DB Brett Coleman will be called upon to be the X-factor for the Pirates. Coleman continues to become a more dangerous threat on offense and his playmaking ability on defense will be critical against a Tomcat team who will spread the Pirates out.

For all the success of the Belfry program, specifically under Philip Haywood, Ashland has always been a thorn in Belfry's side. Belfry is a meager 4-17 all-time against the Tomcats, Haywood is only 4-10 in those games, one of the few blemishes on his resume. Putnam Stadium has been especially unkind. Belfry is 1-10 all-time on the hallowed ground with Haywood going 1-6 in those meetings. You have to go back to 1989 to find the last time Belfry went into Ashland and left with the "W". The good news? That was also the only time under Haywood's tenure that Belfry had to play a playoff game at Putnam.


 

This should be a super game!  I don't know much about either team.  Good luck to both!

It should be a good game. One very underestimated part of Ashland is their Center Jackson Foutch. He is a very talented young man. They also have a good DE in Kolby “The Hulk Coburn”

Ashland was and should be embarrassed from last seasons  performance. Ashland has the #1 ranked D that returned 9 starters. They will need too be on their A game to beat Belfry. The field will be a huge factor as it was a pig pin last night and probably won’t improve much by game time. Ashland knows what Belfry is going to do question. Is can that match the physicality Belfry will bring? If Ashland can punch back I like their chances.

I was not aware of the Belfry struggles versus Ashland. Those numbers in Ashland's favor shocked me. Ashland's resume this season is one of the best in the state. They have won every game by 35 points or more except the 10-7 win over Russell. Dixon is a great player but he will need help to over come Ashland. I look for this to be the second time this year Ashland wins by less than 35. I will go with Ashland by a touchdown.

Belfry always well prepared this time of the year yes they have losses but when you play a schedule that Belfry play it prepares you for this not a team in 3A plays the shedule pirates do. Ashland is always a good ball club but those win history was old Ashland and belfry is a diff animal past 10 years they ever been I say we’re in for a good ball game.

16 minutes ago, Piratedogg9 said:

Belfry always well prepared this time of the year yes they have losses but when you play a schedule that Belfry play it prepares you for this not a team in 3A plays the shedule pirates do. Ashland is always a good ball club but those win history was old Ashland and belfry is a diff animal past 10 years they ever been I say we’re in for a good ball game.

One of the best things Belfry did was make the long term commitment to upgrading the schedule. It gives them a leg up on 99% of the teams in the class.

Yes it has helped turn the program up few notches for sure.

Belfy's schedule has prepared them. I think they get it done!

Congrats to Ashland’s Keontae Pittman, he has committed to Army today. 

Congrats.

I know there is a lot of pride in Putnam Stadium as a facility. What is being done by the stadium maintenance crew to prepare the field for this game? I read in the thread on the last Friday's game that Putnam was a pig pen. 

3 hours ago, Tomcats1990 said:

Congrats to Ashland’s Keontae Pittman, he has committed to Army today. 

Congratulations to Keontae!

The other discussion about Ashlands D made me want to ask this.  

As it relates to this week, how many points does Ashland have to limit Belfry to in order to beat them?  If they hold them under 21 is that enough?  14?  And the big question is can they do it?

38 minutes ago, Mew Nanny said:

The other discussion about Ashlands D made me want to ask this.  

As it relates to this week, how many points does Ashland have to limit Belfry to in order to beat them?  If they hold them under 21 is that enough?  14?  And the big question is can they do it?

Good guestion!

 

 

 

I have no dang clue.

 

LOL