PT 27-14. 

7 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

Thirty-six years later, 3A's 'best of the west' and 'beast from the east' meet again for all the marbles

Date and time: Saturday, December 4th at 12:00pm

Records: Belfry (8-6), PT (8-6)

BGP Ranking: Belfry (#7 in 3A), PT (unranked in 3A)

Series History: PT leads 1-0 all-time 

Table Setter: When two teams playing for a state tite both finished the regular season with a losing record and combined for twelve losses, there's not much hype to build on leading up to kickoff. But anyone sleeping on Belfry and Paducah Tilghman might be sleeping on the hidden gem of championship weekend. Despite poor starts to the season, both teams are peaking at the perfect time.

Though they hail from opposite ends of the Commonwealth, there is some history between these two. Belfry's first ever finals appearance came in 1985 against Tilghman, with the Blue Tornado winning that day at old Cardinal Stadium. The man captaining the pirate ship back then was the same man running the show on Pond Creek today, the incomparable Philip Haywood.

Tilghman's last title - and finals appearance - came twelve years ago, following a six loss regular season. Is it written in the stars? This is a young team playing - and winning - with gusto. That youthful exuberance could carry them to the winner's circle or they could flame out in equal measure. 

Belfry has won five state championships and been to the finals nine times since Tilghman's Cinderella run in 2009. It's hard to call Belfry Cinderella, because the Pirates are never truly out of contention in 3A. The brutal early season schedule has done its job, as has Isaac Dixon. The all-time Belfry great has been their catalyst every week. He likes the turf at Kroger Field, where he announced himself to the rest of the state two years ago in a star making performance.

Two of the most recognizable names in 3A will put a bow on the class' 2021 season. It's just a matter of picking what color of bow. Red, or blue?

Good stuff DMC. A lot of thoughts running through my head.   Glass slipper game, indeed.

These will be two young teams who peaked at the right time and have a lot of tradition and history behind them.  

Two contrasting styles and coaching philosophies, with good measures of success for each  

Even though 85 wasn’t Belfrys first trip to the championship, Belfry fans remember the 85 loss very well.  Tilghman was the more talented team but the Pond Creek boys gave it all they had and with a couple minutes to go it was 16-14 if my memory serves me.   The Blue Tornado added a couple scores late to seal the deal.  

These two coaches faced off in a state championship game in 2013 and it was a classic game. The Pirates won 3-0 on a cold windy day against Coach Thompson’s Wayne Co team. 

It has been fun watching the Pirates rebound from the demoralizing start to the season.  0 and 5 will take a toll on a young team and nobody knew how they would respond.  Credit goes to the coaching staff for keeping eyes on the ultimate prize and following Coach Haywood’s mantra of getting a little bit better every day and doing the fundamentals right.  

Speaking of coaching, is this the best job this coaching staff has done in their impressive careers?   I can’t argue against it. 
 

Lots more to discuss this week.  This game excites me ??

2 hours ago, Socially Distanced said:

PT 27-14. 

I am changing my prediction to PT 33-14. 

2 hours ago, Watusi said:

Good stuff DMC. A lot of thoughts running through my head.   Glass slipper game, indeed.

These will be two young teams who peaked at the right time and have a lot of tradition and history behind them.  

Two contrasting styles and coaching philosophies, with good measures of success for each  

Even though 85 wasn’t Belfrys first trip to the championship, Belfry fans remember the 85 loss very well.  Tilghman was the more talented team but the Pond Creek boys gave it all they had and with a couple minutes to go it was 16-14 if my memory serves me.   The Blue Tornado added a couple scores late to seal the deal.  

These two coaches faced off in a state championship game in 2013 and it was a classic game. The Pirates won 3-0 on a cold windy day against Coach Thompson’s Wayne Co team. 

It has been fun watching the Pirates rebound from the demoralizing start to the season.  0 and 5 will take a toll on a young team and nobody knew how they would respond.  Credit goes to the coaching staff for keeping eyes on the ultimate prize and following Coach Haywood’s mantra of getting a little bit better every day and doing the fundamentals right.  

Speaking of coaching, is this the best job this coaching staff has done in their impressive careers?   I can’t argue against it. 
 

Lots more to discuss this week.  This game excites me ??

Different Coach Thompson for PT than Wayne Co. 

36 minutes ago, Socially Distanced said:

Different Coach Thompson for PT than Wayne Co. 

thanks SD for the info. When PT hired Coach Thompson I either read or was told it was the same Shawn Thompson.  Glad you corrected me. 
 

So for anyone that knows:

What is current PT Coach Sean Thompson’s coaching history? 

And where is former Wayne Co Coach Shawn Thompson at now?  

10 hours ago, The Flea Market said:

Haywood is old . The speed game has passed him by. Paducah will sprint by him!

?

PT’s Coach Thompson coached for his alma mater at Crittenden for a few years.  He was an OC before that.  Pretty young - probably in his mid-30s

5 minutes ago, D Wolf said:

PT’s Coach Thompson coached for his alma mater at Crittenden for a few years.  He was an OC before that.  Pretty young - probably in his mid-30s

Agree... don't know much more than that. Played at Crittenden in early 00's and then at Campbellsville, i think. 

9 hours ago, Bac2369 said:

Could Deja Vu be happening again? 2009?

Maybe, but I can almost guarantee Belfry won’t throw seven interceptions like Somerset did in that 2009 championship game. 

1 hour ago, gchs_uk9 said:

Maybe, but I can almost guarantee Belfry won’t throw seven interceptions like Somerset did in that 2009 championship game. 

I would be shocked if Belfry threw 7 passes.

 

Team pic from the 1985 team that beat Belfy 29-14. This was my senior year. Lots of good times.

Lots of familiar names in that picture. It will be tough, but hopefully the game will have the same result for us. Go Big Blue!

Not something you would probably think too much about, but interesting anyway. 

1 hour ago, TilghmanPride said:

Not something you would probably think too much about, but interesting anyway. 

Wow!