East Carter opens up 2026 by traveling to Haywood Stadium to face the host, Belfry in a rematch of the opening tilt from last season.  Belfry traveled to the Raiders home turf in that game and came away winners by a score of 55-28

East Carter is coming back from a strong 2025 season where they rebounded from the Belfry loss and won their next 7 games.  Their season ultimately ended in the first round of the 3A playoffs against Henry County.  The Raiders are always a tough, hard nosed program and you have to expect they will be ready to go at it for all 4 quarters against Belfry. 

Belfry looks to make another run deep in 2026.  They lost a close one with LCA in the semifinals of the 2A playoffs.  They have a lot of players to replace from the prior year, notably breaking in a new QB in Gabe Varney.  An experienced backfield should ease that burden. 

Head to Head: Belfry has a 4-0 record vs East Carter.  A couple of big wins in 2007 and 2008, a hotly contested game in 2021 in the semifinals that the Pirates finally pulled out 48-26 victory on their way to the State Title, and then last year’s 55-28 victory.  

2024 Records: East Carter 7-4, lost to Henry Co 13-12 in 1st round of the 3A playoffs.  Belfry 12-2, lost to LCA 34-29 in the 2A semifinals

Last 5-Year Records: East Carter 40-21, Belfry 46-21

This will be a physical game, as East should have the size to match up with Belfry. Speed may be a different story.

JB Woolum is a name more people need to know. Led the Pirates in rushing and receiving last year, averaging 13 yards a carry and 21 per reception. East will have its hands full trying to contain him.

Belfry by 4-5 scores.

46 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

This will be a physical game, as East should have the size to match up with Belfry. Speed may be a different story.

JB Woolum is a name more people need to know. Led the Pirates in rushing and receiving last year, averaging 13 yards a carry and 21 per reception. East will have its hands full trying to contain him.

Belfry by 4-5 scores.

Woolum is a weapon. With Eli Caudill, Tristan Chapman, Jameson Chafin, Kane Caudill and Dante Davis also in the offensive bag of tricks they have options for sure. No pun intended. Like last year this will be a very fast Pirate team across the board.

Edited August 18Aug 18 by Watusi

Announced yesterday that game time has been pushed back to 8:00 pm for this game.

I picked my Raiders with my heart but it would be a huge upset if they went up to Belfry and won. I do miss driving the team the Belfry tailgaters always feed us great!😋

Looks like this one is on HUDL:

https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ky/belfry/organization/21194/belfry-high-school/schedule?date=2026-08-16T04%3A00%3A00.000Z&range=Week&s=U2NoZWR1bGVFbnRyeVB1YmxpY1N1bW1hcnk2YTRiMGZmMDE2NWRkMGYyMjhkY2RkNDk%3D

Fireworks on Pond Creek tonight.

Belfry 20

East Carter 12

Late 1Q

The Pirates have gained separation in the 2Q.

35-12 ☠️

Mid 2Q

44-12 at the half

Final

Belfry won big, 57-12.