I know Corbin has a lot coming back and I've only heard that Belfry lost a lot and this will be a rebuilding year. I just know that Belfry always plays hard and is one of the best coached teams in Kentucky with Coach Haywood. I'm sure this is way off and it's definitely subject to change but I'll say 35-20 Corbin but won't be the least bit surprised if it's much closer. In fact, I wouldn't doubt it being closer than I predict because Coach Haywood will get the inexperience very experienced over the summer.

I would be very hesitant to say that Belfry lost alot and will be rebuilding. In fact, the Pirates return their entire Front 7 on what proved to be one of the better defenses in 2A last season, they also return Preston and Elkins who saw starting action in the secondary. Offensively Belfry returns the majority of their offense including leading rusher Dustin May and a very capable offensive line. You are looking at a Pirate team that returns 7-8 starters on both sides of the ball,, they will be quite experienced.

 

That being said though, Corbin returns just as much if not more than Belfry and the losses that the hounds seemed to have suffered from graduation aren't as blaring as Belfry. It is also worth noting that Corbin's biggest strength (passing game and a mobile QB) will ultimately be matched up with Belfry's biggest question mark (Secondary). I see this being a game with the winner scoring in the low 20's and the loser scoring in the teens. Although I am a Pirate fan, Belfry has a history of starting slow and so I think it will eb Corbin who wins.

Corbin will be very good this year with Cashen leading the way. I don't know if they have a kid who is a scoring threat on every play. Coach P also needs to let his kids play. Coach needs to let the big boy play. He has much more potential in football than basketball. He is a good basketball player who would be a D1 prospect in football.

If the big boy you are speaking of is Aaron Manns ---- Coach P is not stopping him or any other player from playing football. Aaron simply does not want to play. Believe me, he has been asked and encouraged to play many times from other fans, former little league coaches, and even his own dad. He just simply doesn't want to play. This is not the fault of any coach.

I would be very hesitant to say that Belfry lost alot and will be rebuilding. In fact, the Pirates return their entire Front 7 on what proved to be one of the better defenses in 2A last season, they also return Preston and Elkins who saw starting action in the secondary. Offensively Belfry returns the majority of their offense including leading rusher Dustin May and a very capable offensive line. You are looking at a Pirate team that returns 7-8 starters on both sides of the ball,, they will be quite experienced.

 

That being said though, Corbin returns just as much if not more than Belfry and the losses that the hounds seemed to have suffered from graduation aren't as blaring as Belfry. It is also worth noting that Corbin's biggest strength (passing game and a mobile QB) will ultimately be matched up with Belfry's biggest question mark (Secondary). I see this being a game with the winner scoring in the low 20's and the loser scoring in the teens. Although I am a Pirate fan, Belfry has a history of starting slow and so I think it will eb Corbin who wins.

 

Thanks for the clarification on the Pirates for this upcoming season. With that said and hearing it from someone in the know, I'd say that Corbin should probably win in a game that should be 28-18 or 28-21...something along those lines. You bring up another good point about Corbin's strength exposing a Belfry weakness with the passing game and mobile Quarterback. Most don't consider Clint mobile but I tend to think he is. While he isn't a Vick like running quarterback and doesn't have much straight ahead speed, he has great vision and is very elusive. He also doesn't care to run over people. That may not be what Coach Jewell or any coach would want their big named QB doing but with Clint's fullback build, he can do it. I look forward to making the trip and seeing the new facilities and experiencing the tradition of Belfry.

You will be suprised how much speed he has picked up this off season. I will be very mobile this year.

You will be suprised how much speed he has picked up this off season. I will be very mobile this year.

 

Buddy, I would definitely say that you have picked up some speed this off season but you're not Clint Cashen haha:lol: . Holler at me.

Yeah yeah thats what i get for typin in a hurry. "He"

Belfry has a DL that attended the UK lineman camp...and he is the real deal...I can't remember his name...He was a big red haired kid that could really move...can someone let me know who he is...I am going to follow him this season because he has tons of potential.

Belfry has a DL that attended the UK lineman camp...and he is the real deal...I can't remember his name...He was a big red haired kid that could really move...can someone let me know who he is...I am going to follow him this season because he has tons of potential.

Sounds like Will Southerland. Will will be strating his 3rd straight season. Nice size, good speed, and also a pretty smart football player as well.

 

Will has developed into a very well rounded football player and was solid last season, but the D-lineman that really got the Pond Creek nation fired up that returns may be the smallest player on the defensive unit in Phillip Hickman. The kid was a one man wrecking crew against Middlesboro and Russell despite giving up probably 120+ pounds to every lineman he faces.

 

As I said earlier, Belfry will be very solid in the front seven.

Thanks for the clarification on the Pirates for this upcoming season. With that said and hearing it from someone in the know, I'd say that Corbin should probably win in a game that should be 28-18 or 28-21...something along those lines. You bring up another good point about Corbin's strength exposing a Belfry weakness with the passing game and mobile Quarterback. Most don't consider Clint mobile but I tend to think he is. While he isn't a Vick like running quarterback and doesn't have much straight ahead speed, he has great vision and is very elusive. He also doesn't care to run over people. That may not be what Coach Jewell or any coach would want their big named QB doing but with Clint's fullback build, he can do it. I look forward to making the trip and seeing the new facilities and experiencing the tradition of Belfry.

We look forward to welcoming one of the best fan bases in Kentucky as well!

 

I have seen some Cashen games since he was a freshman and the one thing that resonates with me is how comfortable he is when he is rolling out of the pocket. Belfry's D-lineman are quick and aggressive, if Cashen was solely a pocket passer I would like the Pirate's chances, but given the chance for him to get out on the perhiperials and allow the receivers to make plays it will really be difficult for Belfry to stop that early in the season.

 

Another misconception about Belfry that I feel will be diproved this year is the fact that the Pirates WILL have a reasonably potent passing game. The Elkins kid really emerged as a capable QB last season and he returns most of his receiving targets (aside from HB's Chapman and Epling). If you look at the Russell/Belfry tape from last season you will see that Belfry was a couple dropped passes at critical times from making it fairly interesting. With another year of experience for those players, this team will have a slightly different persona than those State Title teams who passed a grand total of 4-5 times in two Championship games.

Corbin will be more of a power team this year from what Im hearing. The line avg is around 275 lb and will have a 230 lb back moving the chains. This should really open it up more for Cashen by making the defense respect the run as well.

Corbin will be more of a power team this year from what Im hearing. The line avg is around 275 lb and will have a 230 lb back moving the chains. This should really open it up more for Cashen by making the defense respect the run as well.

Why change your scheme with 9 starters returning on offense after it led you deep in the playoffs last season?

Why change your scheme with 9 starters returning on offense after it led you deep in the playoffs last season?

 

I don't think you will see a change in the scheme but you will see a more effective running game this season. With that said, it should just make the pass game that much more dangerous. I just hope they can balance the play calls out and not lean toward favoring one style over the other if it shows a few signs of success. If you can do em both...do em both and win a title. To go along with the size on the line, with the exception of Sewell, most every wideout that should get significant minutes is over 6'0" tall.

I'm just not seeing why folks are talking about a state title in Corbin. They only beat two teams last year with a winning record. A better than average single A team in Lex christian, and a bad 2A team in Wayne County.

 

They did make it to the Regional Finals BUT they only had to be their fellow district teams to do so. Middlesboro will be far far far better than any team in their district a year ago.

 

I'm not saying Corbin won't be good, I think they will. But competing for a state title might be a stretch.

I'm just not seeing why folks are talking about a state title in Corbin. They only beat two teams last year with a winning record. A better than average single A team in Lex christian, and a bad 2A team in Wayne County.

 

They did make it to the Regional Finals BUT they only had to be their fellow district teams to do so. Middlesboro will be far far far better than any team in their district a year ago.

 

I'm not saying Corbin won't be good, I think they will. But competing for a state title might be a stretch.

 

Corbin matured into a good team by the end of the season and were close to being able to compete for the title last year. With virtually everyone back, a year older and STRONGER(one of the things that held them back last year), they will have an opportunity for a good run in the playoffs.

I'm just not seeing why folks are talking about a state title in Corbin. They only beat two teams last year with a winning record. A better than average single A team in Lex christian, and a bad 2A team in Wayne County.

 

They did make it to the Regional Finals BUT they only had to be their fellow district teams to do so. Middlesboro will be far far far better than any team in their district a year ago.

 

I'm not saying Corbin won't be good, I think they will. But competing for a state title might be a stretch.

For the record, with the graduation losses Middlesboro suffered from last season, and the perennial poor defense that the Jackets are known for, I don't think M-boro will be "far far far better" than anyone.