Should Breathitt even bother showing up? I mean, with gas prices so high and all (and it's a long way to Belfry)...why not just save the money and finish the season undefeated with a regional title?

 

I wasn't going to bring it up, 5W, but you may be on to something. :thumb: :lol:

I wasn't going to bring it up, 5W, but you may be on to something. :thumb: :lol:

 

I'm surprised to hear that from a Pirate fan...is that a sign of weakness? Personally, if I thought Breathitt could beat Belfry by 2 or 3 TD's...I'd pay their expenses to get them to Jackson just so I could watch it.

 

I was only half joking...

 

 

BOTH TIMES:scared:

No. Why would it? Here are the options the way I see it...

 

1) Play a more traditional defense, which might be more effective in preventing long runs, but would almost guarantee that Belfry would drive the ball down the field and chew up tons of clock

 

or

 

2) Play our defense, which might increase the risk of giving up a long TD run, but it also gives us the best chance to stop their ground game.

 

It's a no-brainer. We're playing to win, not keep it close. If Belfry is that good, and I believe they probably are, then hats off to them. But, I'd at least like to know they beat our best effort.

 

It is a no-brainer. You play what got you there. In all honesty I don't think the Belfry offense will cause that much trouble for Breathitt. Yeah I think they will break a couple of long runs but I also think the Bobcats will frustrate them with the pressure. Maybe create a turnover or two.

 

Belfry's offense is not what sets this team apart from the other contenders in 3A. It is the defense that has done that and that is why they will win.

I wasn't going to bring it up, 5W, but you may be on to something. :thumb: :lol:

 

Actually I just read in the local paper today that the coaches and school officials have been reading this thread and are considering not even making the trip since it's a forgone conclusion as to the outcome!:lol:

Look, Belfry may very well win, but Breathitt kids are too tough to lay down and let anyone "roll" over them.

Actually I just read in the local paper today that the coaches and school officials have been reading this thread and are considering not even making the trip since it's a forgone conclusion as to the outcome!:lol:

Look, Belfry may very well win, but Breathitt kids are too tough to lay down and let anyone "roll" over them.

 

Breahitt could lose all 11 starters on both sides of the ball and have the flu hit every remaining player of the team, and they would STILL bring everything they have. Sign of great coaching, great pride, and high expectations passed down from generation to generation.

 

As for the defense question, 5wide is dead on. The one thing you never do to Belfry is let them play 3 yards and a cloud of dust football at their leisure. Belfry don't beat teams with big plays, they beat teams by demoralizing them and wearing them down.

I actually disagree with the above statement. I think the BEST way to play Belfry (most years) is to make them earn EVERY yard.

 

I would play "bend/don't break" D, and mix in timely run blitzes/agression against the Pirates because:

 

1) Every handoff is a chance for a botched snap, missed assignment, which potentially leads to poor down and distance situations (which Belfry is traditionally not suited to handle)

 

2) You make Belfry absolutely execute on every play. Every snap is also an oppurtunity for a false start, etc. Again, you might get them in 1st and 15. Then shoot the gaps. Then its 2nd and 15 = Belfry out of comfort zone.

 

3) Making the Pirates toot the ball 10-15 times on a drive = more oppurtunities for a fumble.

 

Granted, if Belfry executes and plays turnover free its gonna be a long/demoralizing night for the opposition.

 

If they fumble 3 times and have a half dozen key penalites, the opposition goes home winners.

 

Ask Middlesboro how stacking the line fairs against Belfry. Granted Breathitt did it with success in the past, but IMO they had superior talent. I don't think that is the case this season.

No. Why would it? Here are the options the way I see it...

 

1) Play a more traditional defense, which might be more effective in preventing long runs, but would almost guarantee that Belfry would drive the ball down the field and chew up tons of clock

 

or

 

2) Play our defense, which might increase the risk of giving up a long TD run, but it also gives us the best chance to stop their ground game.

 

It's a no-brainer. We're playing to win, not keep it close. If Belfry is that good, and I believe they probably are, then hats off to them. But, I'd at least like to know they beat our best effort.

I agree with you on the fact of not changing what has worked. He will play that D at breathitt until he dies. But what I am saying is how much more concern do you have against this Belfry team rather than other squads you have played this year, due to the fact that you will face probably the two strongest backs you have faced, you know what Im saying?

I actually disagree with the above statement. I think the BEST way to play Belfry (most years) is to make them earn EVERY yard.

 

I would play "bend/don't break" D, and mix in timely run blitzes/agression against the Pirates because:

 

1) Every handoff is a chance for a botched snap, missed assignment, which potentially leads to poor down and distance situations (which Belfry is traditionally not suited to handle)

 

2) You make Belfry absolutely execute on every play. Every snap is also an oppurtunity for a false start, etc. Again, you might get them in 1st and 15. Then shoot the gaps. Then its 2nd and 15 = Belfry out of comfort zone.

 

3) Making the Pirates toot the ball 10-15 times on a drive = more oppurtunities for a fumble.

 

Granted, if Belfry executes and plays turnover free its gonna be a long/demoralizing night for the opposition.

 

If they fumble 3 times and have a half dozen key penalites, the opposition goes home winners.

 

Ask Middlesboro how stacking the line fairs against Belfry. Granted Breathitt did it with success in the past, but IMO they had superior talent. I don't think that is the case this season.

 

 

Bend don't break implies that you must keep Belfry from the big play. For instance Johnson Central was that kind of offense. Not really going to pound you with the belly and beat you, but they would pound it some and if Grimm could break one they would beat you.

 

Belfry on the hand, will pound it out all the way down the field. The will rattle your brains and the chains.

 

The only thing you can do is assign an LB to meet the FB at the line on every play. Then you must play the outside and take away the off tackle and/or pitches.

 

But this is easier said than done. BHS OL will/should dominate the game.

I agree. Just said this is the BEST option IMO (not saying it would/will work)

I agree with you on the fact of not changing what has worked. He will play that D at breathitt until he dies. But what I am saying is how much more concern do you have against this Belfry team rather than other squads you have played this year, due to the fact that you will face probably the two strongest backs you have faced, you know what Im saying?

 

What do you want me to say? I'm aware this is the best team we've faced all year. I'm concerned that Belfry might just be physically superior, meaning Breathitt could execute flawlessly and still lose. Nothing you can do about that...but, our best chance to win this game is to play the same attacking defense we always do. Sure, it can be vulnerable to the big play, but it also gives us a chance to hit Belfry for a 2-yard loss, which then gets them into second and third and long situations where we have a chance to stop them. I assure you, Breathitt County doesn't go into games with the plan to play soft and hope the opponent beats themselves with mistakes. Besides, I figure the attacking defense we play is more likely to force Belfry into a mistake than just letting them march down the field 5-10 yards a pop.

What do you want me to say? I'm aware this is the best team we've faced all year. I'm concerned that Belfry might just be physically superior, meaning Breathitt could execute flawlessly and still lose. Nothing you can do about that...but, our best chance to win this game is to play the same attacking defense we always do. Sure, it can be vulnerable to the big play, but it also gives us a chance to hit Belfry for a 2-yard loss, which then gets them into second and third and long situations where we have a chance to stop them. I assure you, Breathitt County doesn't go into games with the plan to play soft and hope the opponent beats themselves with mistakes. Besides, I figure the attacking defense we play is more likely to force Belfry into a mistake than just letting them march down the field 5-10 yards a pop.

 

 

At this point in the season, you have to be willing to throw when needed. While Belfry hasn't thrown it a lot, they have shown they can do it better than in the past. I think this will make them dangerous if Belfry has the courage to throw when needed, but it will be very easy for Belfry to stay comfortable in calling run plays if its working. If Breathitt gets real aggressive on the run, I would throw it some.

At this point in the season, you have to be willing to throw when needed. While Belfry hasn't thrown it a lot, they have shown they can do it better than in the past. I think this will make them dangerous if Belfry has the courage to throw when needed, but it will be very easy for Belfry to stay comfortable in calling run plays if its working. If Breathitt gets real aggressive on the run, I would throw it some.

 

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.

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.

 

I agree. I would still throw it to keep Breathitt honest. It has been a great year for both programs. Breathitt obviously will have their hands full.

 

I have never seen a high school team with as much depth at the RB position. They will have fresh legs all night. This is just a fact.

What do you want me to say? I'm aware this is the best team we've faced all year. I'm concerned that Belfry might just be physically superior, meaning Breathitt could execute flawlessly and still lose. Nothing you can do about that...but, our best chance to win this game is to play the same attacking defense we always do. Sure, it can be vulnerable to the big play, but it also gives us a chance to hit Belfry for a 2-yard loss, which then gets them into second and third and long situations where we have a chance to stop them. I assure you, Breathitt County doesn't go into games with the plan to play soft and hope the opponent beats themselves with mistakes. Besides, I figure the attacking defense we play is more likely to force Belfry into a mistake than just letting them march down the field 5-10 yards a pop.

 

Belfry's offense is not the great concern in this game. They are good but not special. May and Lee are good backs not great. The offensive line is excellent.

 

The biggest weapon that Belfry has is their defense and in particular their defensive line. If Breathitt can move the ball consistantly and not turn it over this becomes a very close game. If Belfry's defense dominates and continually gives their offense the ball then Belfry will win going away.

 

As the year has gone on I have noticed that Belfry seems to get alot of big plays out of their special teams as well. I think Breathitts defense will be fine. Can there offense keep them in the game is the biggest question I have.

Belfry's offense is not the great concern in this game. They are good but not special. May and Lee are good backs not great. The offensive line is excellent.

 

The biggest weapon that Belfry has is their defense and in particular their defensive line. If Breathitt can move the ball consistantly and not turn it over this becomes a very close game. If Belfry's defense dominates and continually gives their offense the ball then Belfry will win going away.

 

As the year has gone on I have noticed that Belfry seems to get alot of big plays out of their special teams as well. I think Breathitts defense will be fine. Can there offense keep them in the game is the biggest question I have.

 

I hope you're right. If Belfry's offense is nothing special, then it should be a close, low scoring game, because Breathitt has a pretty good defense. But, I agree, if Breathitt's offense can't do anything and their defense has to stay on the field all game, then they'll eventually wear down. That's just a fact of life in football.

 

Hopefully, Breathitt can get off to a good start, get a lead and maintain it. I really don't want to have to play catch up again this week. Obviously, the perfect game would be for Breathitt to get off to a fast start and get Belfry into a catch up game. If we could have a 2 score lead in the second half, our chances go way up. However, that's probably not likely. :lol:

 

Breathitt has a chance in this game. They're going to have to play better than they did last week at Russell, IMO, but they are capable. They have the talent...they're a pretty young team, so you never know how they'll respond in big situations. I think they showed a lot of heart by coming back from 10 down with less than 10 minutes to play and winning at Russell. They just can't afford to repeat that against Belfry.

 

If Breathitt can limit their mistakes...stupid penalties, turnovers, missed tackles, special teams gaffes, etc...then I think this will be a very close and competitive football game. This is high school football, so there are probably going to be some mistakes, but Breathitt has to limit them, and the ones they do make can't be catastrophic. If they make too many mistakes, and if they're costly mistakes, then Belfry will roll on with another blowout victory. (see playoff game vs. P'burg in 2004 when Breathitt turned the ball over, played terrible and fell behind 34-6 before they ever got anything going).

 

I feel the same about Belfry as well though...if they make mistakes and allow Breathitt to build a big lead, they're in trouble. They're not built to score quick and come from behind, so if they fall behind and get in a situation where they need points in a short time, it probably won't go well for them.