Belfry (1-0) and Central (0-1) are not natural enemies.  They have never been in the same district or region.  They don't play every year in the regular season.  There are no coaching ties that keep the bonds of competition going.  BUT, over the past nearly two decades, starting in 2007 I can't think of two teams a with a richer history, than Belfry and Central.  

Gone are Coach Haywood and Coach Scroggins, who shared a mutual respect and a drive to best the other one.  Central's dominance early in the relationship definitely pushed Belfry to elevate their game.  Coach Scroggins once said when people ask him about Central's natural rivalries within Louisville, he said, "The only rivalry we have is Belfry" 

The 2025 edition of these teams is different than prior versions.  Central is in 3A and Belfry is now 2A.  But I know the fire is still burning and these two proud programs really want to win against each other.  Central makes the long drive to Pond Creek for this one in the late game Friday night, which could kickoff anytime between 8:30 and Midnight.  (Pike County Bowl history suggest kickoff times are all over the map due to heat or weather)  

Head to Head: Central leads the all-time series 6-3 as follows: Semifinals: Central 1, Belfry 0, State Championships: Central 4, Belfry 2, Regular Season: Central 1, Belfry 1.

2024 Records: Belfry 11-3, lost to Union County 43-21 in the semifinals.   Central 9-4, lost to CAL 28-6 in the regional finals.

This is a tough one to figure out. Is Central as bad as Manual made them look or is Manual just that good. Belfry scored a lot of points in their first game but also gave up several points to not a particularly strong team. I think this game will go down to the wire but Belfry pulls it out in the end 38-32.

I'll take Belfry. Central not as good as last year plus long travel doesn't help.

I love this orchestrated rivalry. As most people know, I’m a heavy admirer of the entire Central school, and think it’s a cool thing for the City kids to come to the mountains (do they bring that fantastic band and dance team?), and vice versa for the mountain kids to come to the ‘Ville.

Imma take Central. Manual is that good.

45 minutes ago, Hearsay said:

I love this orchestrated rivalry. As most people know, I’m a heavy admirer of the entire Central school, and think it’s a cool thing for the City kids to come to the mountains (do they bring that fantastic band and dance team?), and vice versa for the mountain kids to come to the ‘Ville.

Imma take Central. Manual is that good.

Scott county beat them 23-0 in 3 quarters of varsity football a couple Fridays ago. Central only had 3 first downs all game. Scott county only let their best running back run the ball once. He scored a 40 yard touchdown.

I'm not saying central is terrible, but they definitely aren’t great.

Belfry gets the win. It’ll be close for 3 quarters, but they’ll pull away in the end

belfry 35

Central 24

Central schedule does not get any easier this week after taking it on the chin from Manual they have to travel to Belfry. I think Belfry wins big here. 

Man this is a very intriguing match up...central is also a common opponent for Mayfield...very interesting should Mayfield and Belfry meet in the playoffs...

This game is one of our Pick 5 games.

I am leaning Belfry by a couple scores.

Belfry is a team essentially in tact from 2024 and Central is a team having to play 7-8 new starters each way. Central has also historically struggled a little when they trek far from home. It's going to be a long trip to Pond Creek and with this being the second game of the PCB there will be a substantial lag between when they arrive and the ball actually kicks off.

Having to ask that many new starters to pick up the reads for Belfry's offense is a pretty tall task. 

With all that said, Belfry has some big work to do. Most games Belfry's speed and explosiveness outside the hash marks are going to be something the opponent simply can't keep up with from a speed and athleticism standpoint... Central will be able to negate some of that advantage. Belfry will need to rely on their bread and butter between the tackles and then look to strategically pick their spots to pop the big one.

Central traditionally has strong backs who can make you pay for missing tackles. This will be a test for Belfry as Yoak from East Carter carved them up on yards after contact last week. 

If Belfry can establish the tone early and gut punch Central I ike their chances to win... but if Belfry comes out too amped up for what will be a super emotional night and they lay the ball down then they could get in trouble quick.

 

I am leaning Belfry 35 Central 21.

It's hard to take much away from Central's loss to Manual. The Crimsons might really be that good.

ATL raises a good point: Central's young defense being tasked with defending Belfry's offensive scheme, one that's probably unlike anything else they see all season. It's also a scheme the Pirates could execute in their sleep.

I really don't know what to expect from the Jackets offensively after being blanked by Manual.

Throw in a 4+ hour bus ride, and I like Belfry by a comfortable margin. Central has pride and a championship pedigree in its DNA, so look for the Jackets to battle tooth and nail with Belfry to the final whistle.

The poll is 24-1, Pirates. 

Being from Northern Kentucky I flat out do not like Belfry. But I always have had to respect them. Belfry 28-7.

2 hours ago, Honey Badger said:

Being from Northern Kentucky I flat out do not like Belfry. But I always have had to respect them. Belfry 28-7.

Curious. Can’t remember Belfry having all that much success vs NKY teams.  I respect the hate and love it when passion sparks it (I have my fair share of it too) just wondering where it comes from in this case.  Would enjoy hearing more about that ?

3 hours ago, theguru said:

The poll is 24-1, Pirates. 

That’s surprising given the history between these two teams.