Lee didn't even carry the ball last season. Corey Chapman, Epling, and May were the ball carriers.

Elkins has improved significantly.

I was wondering that as well...I haven't seen Belfry at all this year. But, I suspect their offense would rank a little bit above "nothing special".

 

 

I guess you'll find out Friday how their "nothing special" offense is.:eek:

The Bobcats will bring all they have and then some........ It won't be enough though, Belfry 35-6

Nope. I haven't seen them since last year. But although undoubtedly improved, I don't believe that May, Lee and Elkins are that much better than a year ago. Now the offensive line returning intact sure has to help.

 

To sum up they are good but they are not nearly as good as the backfield in 04.

 

 

Whether Belfry wins or loses tomorrow night....IMO, you've grossly underestimated the balance and depth of this Belfry offense. This offense is heads and tails better than last year's version. And while May and Lee are not as quick as Howard and Jones (2003/2004), if you compare their stats....the numbers are eerily similar. I hope everyone continues to think this offense is "nothing special", average at best....or anything else you want to call it.

 

I guess we'll find out tomorrow:cool:

I'll take my chances against Belfry throwing the football. If they beat us through the air, so be it. But, if Breathitt forces Belfry to pass, I think our chances go up...I'll take my chances defending the pass against a QB who is completing 51.4% of his passes and is averaging under 45 yards per game. I'm not saying Belfry can't pass or can't hurt Breathitt through the air, but that's not their game or their strenght. The more they pass, the better I'd feel. If they beat us through the air, then it's pretty obvious they're a superior team.

 

I feel pretty comfortable in saying that if Belfry is throwing the football much at all Friday night, it's because we're forcing them to by stopping their ground game. They're averaging 325 yards on the ground and about 40 through the air...I wouldn't expect them to change in the 14th game of the season.

 

Yeah you and everybody in Jackson would hope to make them pass. Elkins has the capability to burn you guys with the pass, not on a 3rd and long but maybe a suprise on second or first down, if Haywood would allow it.

The thing that Breathitt has going though is it is so hard to get a pass off with 10 people running at you. But if you can suprise them and get it off then watch out, and that is a big if.

I have so much respect for Breathitt and what they have accomplished, you guys be carefull on the trip down.

I guess you'll find out Friday how their "nothing special" offense is.:eek:

 

I think you misunderstood that he is agreeing with you.

FBALL,

It is worth watching Belfry on film or coming down to CAM Stadium, Belfry's offense is far from unimpressive.

 

Russell fans also seem to have a slanted view on May based on last season's game. They quickly forget that as a Sophomore May ran for over 120 yards in the semi-finals against the Devils. Epling and Chapman were both solid runners, and I really don't want this to sound negative, but they just didn't have the ability to beat a really good/physical defense, as a result the Devils focused on May and forcing Belfry to beat them from the outside in, and without another physical back to run in the middle of the field, or any speed to get outside, it spelled the Pirate's Waterloo.

 

Howard and Jones was a special combo that only comes around once every 25 years if you are lucky, but May and Lee are probably the 2nd best combo I have witnessed in Belfry jerseys, add in the improvement and maturation of Elkins (who is now also a running threat), as well as the emergence of Thomas Varney as the much needed "speed back", followed with an offensive line that has overachieved for their youth (Belfry only actually returned 2 starting O-linemen from last year, one of which was lost for the season very early in the year).

 

I think this Pirate offense would surprise you.

It's almost time for this battle in the mountains and the right to represent the Eastern portion of the state in the final game. It's going to be crazy!:ylsuper:

 

Breathitt let me say welcome back to the top of the mountain. No disrespect but it's been a few years but you're back and undefeated going into the State Semi Finals Game. What can you say really but great job and be careful traveling to the CAM tomorrow night.

 

To my Pirates you continue to impress me more as the weeks go by. I wonder how could you get any better than the previous weeks game and then you come out the next Friday and totally blow me away. I really feel that we have yet to see the full potential of this 07 Belfry team and tomorrow night will be no different. Our line contiunes to improve, our backs seem to walk thru opponents defenses and our D seems to get quicker and more physical as the games go by.

 

Tomorrow night the Belfry Pirates have to be ready. Breathitt Co. is the underdog, if you can call them that, and they will come out ready to take over CAM Stadium but we can not allow this to happen.

 

The stands need to be rocking and never let up. We need to show our boys just how much we do love and appreciate the great job that they have done so far and what they have yet to achive.

 

As for the team.... they need to walk on the field w/ the fire in their eyes and respect for the other team across the field. Come out ready to play Belfry's type of smashmouth football and show Breathitt just how much better than a "good" team you really are.

 

Strap'em up and bring the pain for however long it takes because the Pond Creek Nation is ready for another trip to the Pizza Box and a possible 3rd State Championship Trophy to be added to the collection.

 

Good luck to both teams and LET'S GO BIG RED!

 

 

:fire::fire::fire:

I think you misunderstood that he is agreeing with you.

 

 

If so..then my apologies. Thanks.:thumb:

..And now ladies and gentleman, it is Thursday night... PREDICTION TIME (Cold weather addition)!

 

KEYS TO VICTORY:

BELFRY

 

1. "Wear Layers"- This pertains to Belfry's literal depth on defense. Simply put, if Belfry fins the majority of their team having to play clsoe to the line of scrimmage to slow down breathitt's running game, the Pirates are in trouble. If Belfry can sustain stopping Bretahitt's ground game with only their D-line, and can allow their LB's and DE's to play down the field, the Piurate's chance for success is very high.

 

2. "Hot Chilli"- Belfry has got to burn the Bobcats with the big play. This may surprise people that I say this, because undoubtedly Belfry's best chance for victory seemingly comes with their ability to control the tempo with long demoralizing drives, but I see a different perspective. Everyone in the state of Kentucky knows that Breathitt will be selling out on the run and the Pirate's have the opportunity to hit the homerun. If Belfry can consistently break long runs it will place doubts in the heads of a Breathitt defense who already feels their only chance is to take chances. Momentum is definately critical in this game, but above momentum you have to place confidence. The most confident team will play the ebst, and what better way to build confidence than gashing Breathitt's defense?

 

3. "Dont Freeze"- This thread is evident of the oen thing that worries me more than anything, the mental satte of this game. Both teams are 13-0, both teams have rolled along this season without much of a challenge, both teams have been in this situation many times before, but for soem reason Belfry is expected to romp Breathitt by many. Belfry will be well prepared and well-coached, but these are high school kids we are talking about, and the mental game ebcomes much more variable at this level. Belfry has got to have a killer's mentality in this one, instead of palying like they "want" this game (like the past two years vs. Russell), they must play as if they "NEED" this game (like 2003 @ Middlesboro and Lloyd). Belfry WILL get Bretahitt's bets shot, and it will be a Breathitt team with a major chip on thier shoulder, belfry cannot freeze up.

 

 

 

BREATHITT COUNTY

 

1. "Turn On the Heater"- If you were to look at gamefilm over the past 4 years of the games Belfry has lost, it all boils down to two things. 1) Belfry beat themselves with turnovers, a poor start, and penalties. 2) The opposing defense was the agressor and constantly hit Belfry in the bakcifeld as the play developed. This is a very fundamentally sound squad who I can't see #1 happening, but with Bretahitt's quickness and hitting they can definately create #2.

 

2. "White Out The Line"- Bretahitt will be wearing their road white jersey's, and the bottom line is, if they can't win the battle up front on both sides of the ball, they are in serious danger. On offense they have got to keep Belfry's uber-quick lineman from penetrating and disrupting their offense. The Bobcats have a tendacy for taking a long time for their plays to develop, if Belfry can get pentration it could result in very long losses and/or turnovers. Defensively, Breathitt has got to shut down the middle of the field, PERIOD. Lee and May are on another level in terms of their size and strength, and they have been able to run between the tackles all season. Bretahitt has to attempt to mimic what worked for Russell, by forcing Belfry to beat them from the outside in.

 

3. "Cover Up and Stay Warm"- Protecting the football is a must. If Belfry gets a short field it is goonight sweetheart, but more so than anything those turnovers will hurt the Bobcats mentally. The Bobcats must "stay warm" by keeping the ball moving and keeping the games momentum, as well as their confidence, in their favor. I honestly think no team in 3A can beat belfry by consstantly sustaining "drives", the Pirate defense really is all that it is advertised, and eventually they will make something happen. But, the Pirates can be exploited with a big play. Breathitt needs to have at least 4 or more plays of 30 yards or more.

 

PREDICTION

 

Much tougher defensive battle than some expect, but the constant wear and tear of Belfry's grinding offense eventually proves too much for a very game Bobcat team:

 

BELFRY 28

BREATHITT 13

I was wondering that as well...I haven't seen Belfry at all this year. But, I suspect their offense would rank a little bit above "nothing special".

 

 

That is not meant as a slam against them. I know what they had comming back and compared to some of the other offenses in 3A I don't consider them far and away above the rest. Now on defense thats different. I think this defense is very special and that is what will win this game and the next one.

 

I think the both of you would be surprised. There isn't a guy on Belfry's roster with near the speed of guys like Jones, Howard, Josh Gross, Jon Chapman, or Jason White, but this offense has executed as well as any Belfry offense I've seen in big games.

 

The play of the offensive line is as good as you'll find anywhere in the state, and if you give big backs like May & Lee open space by the 3rd quarter DBs will be looking for a way not to make a tackle. Up front the o-line has handled everyone they've played with ease, imo.

 

Quarterback Andrew Elkins is poised, smart, and does a good job of running the show. I was telling someone the other day that a great QB at Belfry is hardly noticed, but an average QB will look like a fool because regardless of what it looks like the offense is complex, requiring precision on every play & sound decision making the entire game when ran correctly. Elkins and '03 QB Paul Howard probably run this offense as good as any Belfry QB I've seen personally.

 

Defensively, the kudos have been given all around & are well deserved. Again, not blinding speed anywhere, but you won't find a kid who doesn't move well either. What you will find is 11 guys who like contact, and play assignment football with aggression. Very rarely are they caught out of position, and they punish ball carriers.

 

One more thing...If you haven't seen Belfry junior LB Charlie Dotson play, he alone is worth the price of admission. He's full-throttle from the start of the whistle and makes big plays when big plays are needed. I can't say enough about him and plenty of others, but he's a joy to watch.

Charlie Dotson may be the most valuable 2 way player on this team. He makes so many plays just because he always does his job and he is right where he is supposed to be. He has a motor that won't quit and he is tough as nails. He is definitely the unsung hero (as the FB so often is), but his value is high. I would definitely buy me some Charlie Dotson.

 

Speaking of Charlie, how about him jumping down into the NG position last week when Belfry went to the nickel package? He had to have been having some fun there as he made 2 or 3 plays in the backfield from that spot. It was a good look.

Charlie Dotson may be the most valuable 2 way player on this team. He makes so many plays just because he always does his job and he is right where he is supposed to be. He has a motor that won't quit and he is tough as nails. He is definitely the unsung hero (as the FB so often is), but his value is high. I would definitely buy me some Charlie Dotson.

 

Speaking of Charlie, how about him jumping down into the NG position last week when Belfry went to the nickel package? He had to have been having some fun there as he made 2 or 3 plays in the backfield from that spot. It was a good look.

 

He also plays LB like a heat seeking missile. Once the kid reads what the play is, if the ball carrier is anywhere near his line of vision Charlie will make the tackle, and make it with authroity. This will be a bold statement, considering some of the LB's that have came through Belfry over the years, but by the time this kid leaves he may very well be the best LB to suit up in Red and White.

Agree EKU... bold statement.. lol

 

He is a good player