What does Belfry need to do to improve in 2008? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

Bout time

Belfry will be right in the thick of things for a 3A State Title after their runner-up finish last season. The Pirates went 14-1 last season and never trailed until the state finals. Belfry returns several key pieces on both sides of the ball with plenty of experience and production. Offesnivly th Pirates return 3 year starter Andrew Elkins at QB, Ivan Lee at HB (1300 yard rusher last season), Charlie Dotson at FB, and sevral performers such as part-time starter Thomas Varney and Timmy Lovern who saw plenty of action at the other Hb position. Up Front Belfry's line was domiannt last season, they return nearly entirely in tact only losing OT Jimbo Stanley and TE Adam Bowens. Ryan Blackburn (6'3 300)has garnered some D-1 interest at the other tackle, Casey Whetstone and Randy Webb both return at G, Chancey Cisco returns at Center, and Blocking TE Cory Coleman also adds another letter under his belt. Belfry lost SE Ryan Preston to graduation, I expect Lovern to take over at the SE spot.

 

Defense once I return tomorrow from New Orleans...

Ivan Lee has a shot I.M.O. to get 1,800 yards or more.

How does he look?

Has he been in the weight room?

Kid is a stud in the waiting.

I think the offense will be pretty much unstoppable against most 3a competition. I look for Coach to call QB Elkins number a bit more this upcoming season. Dotson and Lee will be very strong runners. Thomas Varney has enough speed to excel at the 3a level and should be a year more mature and strong. If Coach places him there, I agree Lovern has excellent potentional to be a playmaker at SE. TE Coleman will be strong in the running game and servicable in the passing game. Offensive line should be a real strength of the team with 4 returning starters.

 

Defensively, I'm not as certain. Not sure what underclassmen being looked to contribute, but just off the top of my head I would think the D would be strong but maybe a step slower than this past season. Replacing May at linebacker and Hickman on the front line will be the most difficult tasks.

Defensively Belfry returns several key ingredients from one of the best defenses in the state of KY regardless of class, as Pirate Pride noted, there a couple holes that will require soemone to step in. Belfry though is blessed to have defensive playmakers, something most teams do not have, that will be returning.

 

Up front, The Pirates have to address the loss of two key starters, DT Phillip Hickman and DE Adam Bowens. Both players were consistent and dominant. Belfry does return three All-State calibur players up front with DE Ivan Lee, DT Corey Coleman, and NG Randy Webb. Chancey Cisco and Gary Hall are the players off the top of my head who may be called upon to fill Bowens and Hickman's spot.

 

Belfry has quite possibly the best All-Around defensive player in EKY returning at LB in Charlie Dotson. Dotson was unstoppable last season. The departure of Dustin May definately poses the biggest question mark though for this team.

 

Last season's secondary was one of the most effetcive defensive abckfields Belfry ever put on a field. Two starters return in CB Andrew Elkins and FS Thomas Varney, Timmy Lovern saw a ton of action at both CB and S last seaso. Ryan Preston and Joh Young both stepped up huge last season and Belfry will need another player to step up and fill the gap.

 

Special Teams wise, Belfry graduated Glenn Earnest who proved a viable weapon last season, even hitting school record 50 yard FG. Ivan Lee is more than capable as an XP kicker and on kickoffs, but the Pirates will definately need to find a wayo cope with the loss of Earnest's range.

 

Thomas Varney was the Belfry punter last season, he will return but this is definately an aspect of Belfry's game that will need improvement.

 

Lovern and Varney were very effective as kick and punt returners last season returning more kicks for TD's than opponents scored against the Belfry starting defense. They should once again have a solid year.

Belfry should go 9-1 or 10-0 in the regular season and hover around the #1 spot in the 3A rankings. Last year the Pirates were in a completely different class than any other team in the East in 3A. Everything is in place for this Pirate squad to be even better than last season, but in order to reach the same heights as last season it will require a ton of hard work and focused energy.

 

The biggest question marks for Belfry is:

- Filling the holes on defense at DE, MLB, and DB

- Equaling the production that the workhorse known as Dustin May provided

- Gameplanning for the speed and athleticism that a potential rematch with Central or Paducah Tilghman could bring

Another heck of a year for the pirates

Belfry reminds me alot of Russell. No matter who graduates...there is always a young hungry stud to take their place. Red Devil fan here, but my hat goes off to Belfry and the awesome program they have. No matter who wins we all make the state of Kentucky proud.

With more possible depth upfront on the defensive line than linebacker, look for Corey Coleman to move to linebacker. I really think Belfry will have to make that move, but Coleman is the kind of kid who can play anywere.

With more possible depth upfront on the defensive line than linebacker, look for Corey Coleman to move to linebacker. I really think Belfry will have to make that move, but Coleman is the kind of kid who can play anywere.

 

That's what I was guessing would happen as well. When May went down with an injury last season they used Chancey Cisco at DT and moved Corey to LB.

 

At 6'2 220+, Coleman should fit in just fine at LB. He was definately going to be good enough to be an All-State player at DT, let's hope it can transcend to the LB position next to Dotson who will already be dominant.

 

Who was the Freshman last season who saw a ton of backup minutes at both DE and LB? He was a taller kid (6'1 or 6'2). That kid showed alot of athletic ability and seemed to have an above average football IQ for a Freshman, he could very well compete either for the open DE spot or for the other LB spot.

That's what I was guessing would happen as well. When May went down with an injury last season they used Chancey Cisco at DT and moved Corey to LB.

 

At 6'2 220+, Coleman should fit in just fine at LB. He was definately going to be good enough to be an All-State player at DT, let's hope it can transcend to the LB position next to Dotson who will already be dominant.

 

Who was the Freshman last season who saw a ton of backup minutes at both DE and LB? He was a taller kid (6'1 or 6'2). That kid showed alot of athletic ability and seemed to have an above average football IQ for a Freshman, he could very well compete either for the open DE spot or for the other LB spot.

 

Shane Blackburn...and he is closer to 6'3". He's a tough kid with some good football and basketball genes. His mom was an Oliver and his dad is Kenny Blackburn.

 

Other sophomores to be that could contribute are Josh Francis HB/CB, Nathan Carroll HB/S, Garret Francis G/LB, James Hardin T/DT, and Morgan Bentley QB/DE.

 

I'm sure I left off a few names, but those were the first to pop into my head.

Shane Blackburn...and he is closer to 6'3". He's a tough kid with some good football and basketball genes. His mom was an Oliver and his dad is Kenny Blackburn.

 

Other sophomores to be that could contribute are Josh Francis HB/CB, Nathan Carroll HB/S, Garret Francis G/LB, James Hardin T/DT, and Morgan Bentley QB/DE.

 

I'm sure I left off a few names, but those were the first to pop into my head.

 

That's him... that kid has the potential to be a truly special defensive player by the time he leaves Belfry.

 

Josh Francis and Nathan Carroll are tiny backs, but man alive do they run hard and hit the hole hard. Do you see Carroll stepping up to fill the open spot at Safety in the secondary?

Hope to see Elkins keep the pigskin a bit more this season.

Nathan Carroll is an extremely hard runner for his size...but durability is a question mark. Has a history of leg injuries (ankle and knee).....so I'm not sure how much consistent action he'll be able to handle week in..week out. He is extremely quick and definitely has a chance to make a mark on this team...but durability will be paramount.

 

I certainly agree with earlier statements about Shane Blackburn. He's been an exceptional player since the grade school league. His father (Kenny) was an excellent basketball player...who never played HS Football...despite is 6'5 frame. He definitely has a chance to be a big contributor on this team.