X Marks The Spot For Pirates In Bloody Breathitt

Records: Season opener for both

Series History: Tied at 9-9 

Burning Questions: Can Belfry put a turbulent off-season behind it and get back to doing what the Pirates do best? Unrest across multiple sports and the defection of a promising dual-sport athlete to their archrival disturbed the ordinarily calm summer waters of Pond Creek. The good news is, they return starters at numerous positions, including a trio of running backs at the core of last year's ground game. They'll be young in spots, but Belfry should once again be a factor in 3A. Is Breathitt County ready to contend in 2A? Two reasons for optimism: the Bobcats have upped their SOS with Belfry and Johnson Central, and Austin Sperry gives them one of the most physically gifted receivers in the class.

 

Belfry 47

Breathitt Co. 16

@Watusi, how vulnerable is Belfry heading into Week 1? On top of the off-season drama, Jackson is a notoriously difficult place to win games from the visitor's side. 

Breathitt Co. is definitely not the #5 team in class 2A as the poll had them, issues at QB and also very porous defensively, looking at maybe a .500 season with the schedule they have, teams don’t mind coming to Jackson anymore, thing of the past.

This is one of the more interesting opening week games. Breathitt usually doesn't schedule opponents like Belfry. Does Breathitt feel like they have the team this year to step up the schedule like this?

When is the last time Belfry was more of a question mark than they are this year?

This game could be a 3 TD win by either team. It's not very often there are that many questions about both teams in a game.

11 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

This is one of the more interesting opening week games. Breathitt usually doesn't schedule opponents like Belfry. Does Breathitt feel like they have the team this year to step up the schedule like this?

When is the last time Belfry was more of a question mark than they are this year?

This game could be a 3 TD win by either team. It's not very often there are that many questions about both teams in a game.

Belfry can win by 3 td’s, no way BHS could beat Belfry by 3 touchdowns, Belfry and Breathitt Co. have a long history of playing each other with many great, close games, with Haywood still on the sidelines, give Belfry the edge here and maybe BHS can keep it close.

Interesting game to me as well. This should be a good game in determining where each team is at the start. I will be interested in hearing how the outcome of this game is. Good luck to both teams.

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

When is the last time Belfry was more of a question mark than they are this year?

This game could be a 3 TD win by either team. It's not very often there are that many questions about both teams in a game.

The short answer is both of the past two years.  Belfry has had huge concerns early in the season.  The Pirates never really start strong, they have a "get a little better each day" philosophy and they try to peak in November.  But through the first 5 games of 2021 and 2022 they have a 2-8 record, and that is not typical.   Neither is getting blown out in round 2.  Looking forward to seeing if that improves.

2 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Belfry can win by 3 td’s, no way BHS could beat Belfry by 3 touchdowns, Belfry and Breathitt Co. have a long history of playing each other with many great, close games, with Haywood still on the sidelines, give Belfry the edge here and maybe BHS can keep it close.

The last time they played each other was 2012 so it has been a few years. Last time Breathitt beat Belfry by 3 TD's was 2002.

33 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

 Last time Breathitt beat Belfry by 3 TD's was 2002.

That was a classic.  Regional finals at Belfry in the worst field conditions imaginable.  6" of mud.  Breathitt went on to beat Russell in the semis and then destroyed Corbin in the finals behind the strong arm of Justin Haddix.  

Bump.

BluegrassSportsNation will be showing the game Live on its Facebook page.

6 to 0 Belfry in the 1st q.

14 to 0 Belfry. 

14 to 6 Belfry at the end of the 1st q.