Belfry has always gotten better as the season goes on I think thats way we alway's try and play them in the first couple of games into the season because we know that they just get better as they go . In the years past we have always been able to give them a good fight but this year it was a no contest. I think the team we have this year is just about as good as the teams we have had the last couple of years but we are trying a new offence. But just to answer your question from what I saw Friday night I think you all have a better tean then you have had in the last two years . I know we sure didn't expose any weakness but thats not to say that you don't have any. The bigest thing that I was wondering about was way so many starters going both ways with the large numbers Belfry has ? If they aren't very deep then that might catch up when you play SC or pikeville and I know it will when you play JC . But I think Belfry can hold thier own with any body they have to play this year . Hope this helps.

Belfry is pretty well conditioned team, we alwasy play a lot both ways, and depth is still something they are working on. One thing is the way they are rotating their backs they get a lot of rest, and also they do rotate lineman some, but that dont get notcied as much. SC and Pikeville both has about everybody going both ways, so should be good there, my concern for Pikeville is they are getting challenged everyweek, and we got East Ridge, Shelby Valley and open week. Here is a good quote from Goldsmith.

 

“This may be one of the best defensive units in the state,” Goldsmith said of Belfry's unit, which held the Bulldogs to 122 yards of total offense. “I thought we came in with a good game plan, but we failed to match their force, especially early on in the game.”

If any body know what a good defense should be like it would be him . I think belfry's destination is in thier own hands. Good luck and I'll be pulling for you all and hopeing you make it to the carpet once agian.

I was in the stands before the game and the consensus was that we could not make any mistakes. Belfry won the toss and deferred to us and we had a nice pass for a first down, and on the next play we fumbled. It was all down hill from there. You can't make mistakes against a team like Belfry. They are the best team I have seen in awhile top to bottom, and they operate together like a sewing machine. I hope they win it all. As for the Dawgs, we still are not clicking on that new offense. I am starting to think that the new offensive look should be abandoned in favor of a more run oriented set.

Belfry boy I am glad you posted that quote by Goldsmith...I also thought it was interesting that whern the WDN asked him to describe the game, he said Two words: Shell Shocked.

 

Nice posts Dad of a Dawg! I have no doubt that LC will amke some noise in their district... if they can just improve oen game at a time they will be right in the thick of things come November and could very well advance to the 3rd Round.

 

If Belfry has one definitive weakness right now it would be their youth in the secondary and the lack of breakaway speed in the backfield. Both of these weaknesses though are hard to exploit.

 

Secondary Youth- Belfry still has that experienced Front 7 to apply pressure and shut down the running game, thus making them less exposed to play action. The Pirates also have quite abit of experience at CB with Elkins and Preston who split time at that position last season.

 

Backfield Speed- Belfry doesn't necessarily rely on the home run in their offense, Haywood would much rather hit you 4 yards at a time. This Belfry backfield is suited perfectly for 3 yards and a cloud of dust.. May and Lee are horses, and the other HB's all hit the hole hard. Factor in Elkin's ability to carry out playfakes and hide the handoff, and also add in a line with a ton of potential, and this Pirate offense runs smoothly. It's also nice to be able to feel confident passing the ball when defenses stack the box.

Belfry boy I am glad you posted that quote by Goldsmith...I also thought it was interesting that whern the WDN asked him to describe the game, he said Two words: Shell Shocked.

 

Nice posts Dad of a Dawg! I have no doubt that LC will amke some noise in their district... if they can just improve oen game at a time they will be right in the thick of things come November and could very well advance to the 3rd Round.

 

If Belfry has one definitive weakness right now it would be their youth in the secondary and the lack of breakaway speed in the backfield. Both of these weaknesses though are hard to exploit.

 

Secondary Youth- Belfry still has that experienced Front 7 to apply pressure and shut down the running game, thus making them less exposed to play action. The Pirates also have quite abit of experience at CB with Elkins and Preston who split time at that position last season.

 

Backfield Speed- Belfry doesn't necessarily rely on the home run in their offense, Haywood would much rather hit you 4 yards at a time. This Belfry backfield is suited perfectly for 3 yards and a cloud of dust.. May and Lee are horses, and the other HB's all hit the hole hard. Factor in Elkin's ability to carry out playfakes and hide the handoff, and also add in a line with a ton of potential, and this Pirate offense runs smoothly. It's also nice to be able to feel confident passing the ball when defenses stack the box.

Belfry does have a young secondary, but they couldn't have been two better games to prepare them for the season than their frist 2. Both teams who like to throw it, while it was weak at times it has been great.

I'm most suprised with the offensive line. They have done a great job. As far as defense front seven and backfield not to many people questioned that.

I have a really good friend who has seen both Belfry and Sheldon Clark, and he says right now with SC defense no comparisson who is the better as of now. We will get a better read from Lawrence fans next week maybe.

Way to go Pirates...looks to be another good fall of football on Pond Creek.

 

I agree in that the Belfry-Pikeville game this year will be a good game, the way it should be...Pikeville will have to beat Lexington Catholic though on the 14th to reamin unbeaten going into the Belfry game and that is doubtful.

OK, I just got back to Ohio and I didn't make it to the game like I had planned. So sorry Watusi I didn't get to meet you there.

 

Now after going to the Youth league games on Saturday and Meeting on Sunday with my Fantasy Football League, here is what they have said about LC and Belfry game.

 

I first asked if Lawrence County that bad or what and they said NO!! Belfry was that good. I heard comments about their Defense being the best they have seen since the early 90's in the state. They also said Belfry's offense is good but what makes them really good is the field position the defense gives them. So Congrats to Belfry on the victory.

 

Now for LC, they think LC could very well start 0-4 and still make a serious run in the playoffs. So I am thinking that the watered down 4A is not as good as the 3A. So Lawrence County fans and team members stick with what you are doing and things will come around.

It'll be interesting to see how the SC/LC game washes out. I'm not sure that LC is physical enough up front to throttle SC's running attack.

 

Back to the Pirates: My biggest concern is the schedule. No real threat until the Pikeville contest. I'm glad it's at CAM....but that game should be a war.

Has it been 6 or 7 straight against the Panthers??

 

One has to believe that the Belfry game has been circled since October of 2006.

 

Haywood and staff must find a way to keep this team focused on the elementary fundamentals (sustaining blocks, solid tackling, hitting the holes)

while battling the complacency issue. Unfortunately....not a lot of challenges left on the schedule (Pikeville, JC and Sheldon Clark excluded).

It'll be interesting to see how the SC/LC game washes out. I'm not sure that LC is physical enough up front to throttle SC's running attack.

 

Back to the Pirates: My biggest concern is the schedule. No real threat until the Pikeville contest. I'm glad it's at CAM....but that game should be a war.

Has it been 6 or 7 straight against the Panthers??

 

One has to believe that the Belfry game has been circled since October of 2006.

 

Haywood and staff must find a way to keep this team focused on the elementary fundamentals (sustaining blocks, solid tackling, hitting the holes)

while battling the complacency issue. Unfortunately....not a lot of challenges left on the schedule (Pikeville, JC and Sheldon Clark excluded).

You have to consider though, that first of all I don't mind not really being challenged til Pikeville. I certaily don't want to see Belfry lose, but what is really important is being healthy going into the district schedule. It's not as if Belfry hasn't already had a good challenge by defeating Corbin, who IMO is 2-3 TD's better than either Holy Cross or Ashland. I also like the open week before the Pikeville game as it will make sure that whatever bumps and bruises the Pirates have will be taken care of, and additionally, it will give Haywood an extra week to work on the small things that this Pirate team is having problems with.

 

Lets also not forget that this is the best Shelby Valley team they have had since the squad who went 9-2 some years back with Casey Newsome and Dusty Hall. The Wildcats should be entering the Belfry game undefeated, playing on their homefield, and starving to prove they are a legit contender by showing how tough they can be against Belfry.

 

Belfry may not have alot of Top Tier challenges left on the schedule... but the ones they do have are spaced out perfectly to keep focus, and are against teams who should all be entering their matchups with the Pirates in the Top 5 in their class. Pikeville's only loss should be to the #1 4A team LexCath, and losing to the Knights shouldn't knock them too far down the polls (won't be an issue for Belfry getting fired up considering how tough the Panthers played them last season, and the rivalry aspect), SC could very well be undefeated and should enter the game anywhere in the 3-5 area in 3A (and if Belfry can't be focused for the Cards following that debacle last year), and JC will close out the season and could very well be 9-0 entering the game and potentially in the 3-5 range of 5A (this is this season's elite mountain school matchup, no way Belfry isn't pumped for this one).

 

The Pirates have whipped up on the lower tier district teams every year and not had a problem with it. The other two non-dstrict games are against the before mentioned SV team, and East Carter who will allow the Pirates to make a statement to the Russell/Mason County district by going on the road against the Raiders.

 

Let's not forget that all in all this is not a Senior-heavy team. You still have numerous Juniors and Sophomores who start ro see considerable PT that will continue to improve every week. The fact that we rotate 6 backs in the backfield also means that any PT these backs get (even against overmatched competition) will be a chance to earn more PT the next game.

 

Plus, it's Coach Haywood... he won't allow this team to be complacent. If the 2004 team never got compalcent with all the talent and experience they had, you can assure Haywood won't let this team.

You have to consider though, that first of all I don't mind not really being challenged til Pikeville. I certaily don't want to see Belfry lose, but what is really important is being healthy going into the district schedule. It's not as if Belfry hasn't already had a good challenge by defeating Corbin, who IMO is 2-3 TD's better than either Holy Cross or Ashland. I also like the open week before the Pikeville game as it will make sure that whatever bumps and bruises the Pirates have will be taken care of, and additionally, it will give Haywood an extra week to work on the small things that this Pirate team is having problems with.

 

Lets also not forget that this is the best Shelby Valley team they have had since the squad who went 9-2 some years back with Casey Newsome and Dusty Hall. The Wildcats should be entering the Belfry game undefeated, playing on their homefield, and starving to prove they are a legit contender by showing how tough they can be against Belfry.

 

Belfry may not have alot of Top Tier challenges left on the schedule... but the ones they do have are spaced out perfectly to keep focus, and are against teams who should all be entering their matchups with the Pirates in the Top 5 in their class. Pikeville's only loss should be to the #1 4A team LexCath, and losing to the Knights shouldn't knock them too far down the polls (won't be an issue for Belfry getting fired up considering how tough the Panthers played them last season, and the rivalry aspect), SC could very well be undefeated and should enter the game anywhere in the 3-5 area in 3A (and if Belfry can't be focused for the Cards following that debacle last year), and JC will close out the season and could very well be 9-0 entering the game and potentially in the 3-5 range of 5A (this is this season's elite mountain school matchup, no way Belfry isn't pumped for this one).

 

The Pirates have whipped up on the lower tier district teams every year and not had a problem with it. The other two non-dstrict games are against the before mentioned SV team, and East Carter who will allow the Pirates to make a statement to the Russell/Mason County district by going on the road against the Raiders.

 

Let's not forget that all in all this is not a Senior-heavy team. You still have numerous Juniors and Sophomores who start ro see considerable PT that will continue to improve every week. The fact that we rotate 6 backs in the backfield also means that any PT these backs get (even against overmatched competition) will be a chance to earn more PT the next game.

 

Plus, it's Coach Haywood... he won't allow this team to be complacent. If the 2004 team never got compalcent with all the talent and experience they had, you can assure Haywood won't let this team.

 

 

Nice post....I do agree that "getting up for the Pikeville" game will not be a problem.

 

I don't agree with your feeling on Shelby Valley.....if that game proves to be a contest....then IMO, we'll have taken a couple of steps back in our approach and development.

 

I guess that game that sticks out in my mind is last year's SC game. A game where I did see "complacency" set in....i.e--missed assignments, poor tackling and questionable focus.

 

I agree that the 2004 team never got complacent.....and Coach Haywood deserves much credit for that......But.....he also had some "field generals" out in trenches...i.e..Doug Howard, David Jones and others...that simply refused to lose.