Belfry (2A #5) and Johnson Central (4A #7) continue their annual bloodbath this Friday at Philip Haywood Stadium in Belfry.  Both teams come in with a record of 2-0 on the heels of impressive victories against highly regarded teams from bigger classes.  Last week Johnson Central played a tight game verses a really good Class 6A Madison Central team and came away with a 15-14 victory.  Likewise, Belfry looked impressive in shutting out perennial contender Class 3A Central by a score of 28-0. 

Belfry is almost always going to be the underdog in this matchup, but you never really know what to expect when they play Johnson Central.  It doesn't always go by the chalk.  There have been lots of close games, plenty of blowouts and several upsets since they renewed this game.  

There is no lack of history between these two teams.  This rivalry goes way back into the 4 class system where they were district mates in 3A beginning in 1971.  Belfry dominated that series and won the first 25 contests between the two.  The rivalry renewed in 2007 after a 9 year hiatus when Belfry dropped to 2A.  By then Jim Matney had began a transformation of the Golden Eagle program and we all know how that story has developed.  Johnson Central finally got their first win against Belfry in 2009 and they have never looked back, running up a record of 11-5 verses the Pond Creekers in the last 16 years.  Belfry leads the all-time series 30-11.  The last 10 games have been split 6-4 in favor of the Eagles, but they have beaten the Pirates 6 out of the last 7.  

This is one of our podcast games of the week!

 

 

This is one of my favorite games of the season, every year.

Bone to bone, grit to grit, mass to mass.

No two programs are more synonymous with physicality, "get off", leverage, and playing behind your pads.

This isn't the biggest o-line JC's ever had, but they might abe the quickest and most technically sound unit they've had in a few years. The backfield might be the quickest they've had in a while, too. The Golden Eagles haven't strayed from their roots. They still want to go through you.

Belfry's a different story. They've diversified their offense, letting Chase Varney air it out from the gun. It's no gimmick or diversionary tactic, his arm is legit. He threw for 376 yards in last year's 48-41 barn burner.

I look for Belfry to come out aggressively and test JC's secondary again. Conversely, the Pirates will have their hands full against a team that will run right at them. No one does that better than JC and Belfry got worked on the ground by East Carter in Week 1.

I'll take Belfry in another shootout. I think they've got the pieces to stretch JC laterally and vertically. Should be a great game to take in.

Belfry's defense looked very good Friday. With that said, Louisville Central is really struggling on offense right now. They kind of lack an identity and don't have a back capable of taking the game on their shoulders like they have been accustomed to.

This will be a big challenge for Belfry to see if their defense is legit. The Pirates will go as far as their LB's and Safety's allow. The LB's tackled the best I have seen in three or four years but they were getting clean paths to the ball. Johnson Central will be getting helmets to the second level and forcing them to get off the block to make the stop and this is where they have struggled.

Belfry's secondary play Friday was superb as they absolutely locked down the Central receivers and the Safeties did a great job cleaning up the pass but more importantly did a great job getting outside and coming up to keep Central from utilizing their speed to make plays. It will be a different task Friday. Johnson Central is going to require discipline and no missed tackles on the second level... but JC will try to dial up a couple deep shots on play action.

If Belfry can win the day on Defense I like their chances but it is going to be a big ask. Last year JC carved up Belfry's defense in an Instant Classic shootout. 

Belfry's speed will be a challenge for JC. The Pirates have a lot to clean up on offense as they left points off the board last week between penalties and execution. I don't expect Central to set the edge as well as Louisville Central and I don't think JC has the speed to get East/West like the Jackets did. Belfry has to keep them off balance by strategically looking for the pass. I have shouted from the rooftops that there is a clear path that Belfry's offense looks it's best and a clear path when I feel like the play calling has been lacking.

When Belfry is using the pass as a counter punch or a knockout blow while sticking to a diverse running game bouncing from the pistol to the flexbone and mixing in strategic jet motion they are a tall task to defend. Through the first two games though there has been at least four drives where Belfry has tried to force feed the pass and led with it first.. all four of those possessions has been either three and outs or close to it. Belfry is a team not equipped for handling 3 and Outs well. Too many key players going both ways and field position is huge to any Pirate success.

My head says JC wins but my heart says Belfry.. I will go with my heart and say Belfry 34-28.

Also I think all of Belfry is holding their breath waiting on news of JJ Austin's injury.

Hoping for the best but fearing the worst. 

I feel like this game is not getting the attention that it normally does!  Is this not a huge game anymore?

2 minutes ago, Mr. Giggles said:

I feel like this game is not getting the attention that it normally does!  Is this not a huge game anymore?

I am excited about it because both of these teams may go up against some of "my teams" in the playoffs. 

I think I like JC to win.

42-35 JC anyone got a livestream?

Live Stream | ☠️ vs. ? 

 

On 9/4/2025 at 12:09 PM, Mr. Giggles said:

I feel like this game is not getting the attention that it normally does!  Is this not a huge game anymore?

I think moving it away from the last game of the season took some luster off. However, it’s probably a better game now because when it was Week 10 both teams would often sit guys who were injured which made for some strange results. 

What happened in this game?

10 hours ago, theguru said:

What happened in this game?

Lightning delay after lightning delay.  The clock never started and finally the decision was made to reschedule.  So I guess I get to eat hot dogs for dinner again tonight ?

2 hours ago, Watusi said:

So I guess I get to eat hot dogs for dinner again tonight ?

You know you love it!

39 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

You know you love it!

I do.  They are good hot dogs ?