While I also miss P vs. B and anxiously wait for it to return, here are a few reasons why teams don't "jump" to play the Pirates :

 

1. Belfry is a 3A feeder school with a multi-state feeder draw of a much bigger school. Much of this is due to the poor state of quality football and education across the river. This factor has compounded with Belfry's playoff success of the past few years. (there's no "fault" in any of this, it's simply a statement of how things are). It's good for Belfry, not so good for the high schools of Mingo County.

 

2. There aren't many other teams that run a Pirate style offense. The prep work that goes into defending the wishbone (and there's plenty of it) yields limited benefit for the remainder of the season.

 

3. (In particular for Prestonsburg) Some still have hard feelings from the involvement of a few Belfry alumni in an alleged P-burg recruiting violation from years ago (and NO, I'm not going into that again). P-burg didn't have the option of dropping Belfry from the schedule in the following few years (the two teams were in the same district).

 

 

:bunny:

1. I can see that based upon players from the past at Belfry, but of the current team there are only two starters who are from "outside" Belfry's district lines. Ivan Lee, who came to Belfry prior to his Freshman year, and Thomas Varney whose family's house sits almost literally on top of the Pike Central/Belfry district line.

 

2. Very true, but look at Ohio and Colerain... they never have a shortage of teams wanting to play them even though they run a wishbone offense. Belfry's bone may have variations that you won't see too often (Belly series, Flex-bone, shotgun formation with wings) but I am willing to bet every team in the state of KY will face at least 2-3 teams per year who will run out of the Wishbone or Power-I, which use basically the same philosophy and blocking schemes. Additionally, Belfry's defense is fairly vanilla but is guaranteed to give your teams offense, in particular their running game, quite the test.

 

3. That's understandable...

I would agree that Belfry style does hurt them some in gaining opponents, but that is all it hurts them in....their style is bruising to say the least.

Is Belfry getting on the level that no one wants to play them that has something to lose?

 

Style match up is a bunch of bull, you play games to get better. Playing a close game(comes down to the 4th to pull out a win) against a style you might not ever see again is better than beating a team that has a style you will see by 21+.

 

I know for a FACT that Belfry has tried to schedule teams like Bell, Rockcastle, and others, even going as far as trying to get Parkersburg and some top teams in WVa. to sign a 2 years series, guess what they will play 1 at their place if we are lucky, no trip to Belfry.

Is Belfry getting on the level that no one wants to play them that has something to lose?

 

Style match up is a bunch of bull, you play games to get better. Playing a close game(comes down to the 4th to pull out a win) against a style you might not ever see again is better than beating a team that has a style you will see by 21+.

 

I know for a FACT that Belfry has tried to schedule teams like Bell, Rockcastle, and others, even going as far as trying to get Parkersburg and some top teams in WVa. to sign a 2 years series, guess what they will play 1 at their place if we are lucky, no trip to Belfry.

 

Belfry probably would go for a 1 game series...although its tough for BHS to give up the home gate.

I would love to get out there and see a ballgame this year. I've heard nothing but great things about the Belfry home game atmosphere. The pics of your new facilities are impressive to say the least!

Have efforts been made to get a game with Letcher Co. Central?

Belfry will be a load in Class 3A again this season, I think the Pirates will go 10-0 again. The toughest competition they'll be facing on their schedule is Johnson Central and they'll be a little down this season after losing their three best players in J.K. Ratliff, Shawn Grimm, and Nathaniel Dials.

 

I expect Belfry to see Belfry back to Papa John's again this season.

Think Belfry AND Prestonsburg in their respective Finals would be a PARTY, or what ?!?

 

IMO, this may be the best chance of it happening. Both schools should have VERY good teams this year.

 

:dancingpa

Think Belfry AND Prestonsburg in their respective Finals would be a PARTY, or what ?!?

 

IMO, this may be the best chance of it happening. Both schools should have VERY good teams this year.

 

:dancingpa

 

I would love to see both in the state championship!

 

Prestonsburg players are really looking forward to the upcoming season.

 

I've already had a few players stop and tell me that they are going to be great this season, they've also told me about how the addition of Jim Tom Allen & Joe Chirico on the coaching staff have helped out this summer.

Anyone heard any reports from practice to share?

 

All my info is second and third hand right now. I have heard though that Corey Coleman is going to be an absolute monster on defense this season and that Dotson/Varney are looking excpetional running the ball.

Sounds like Coleman will step right in where May left off at LB. Dotson is a sure thing there as well.

 

Lets just hope there is a 170 lb running back type who can excel on that D-line in the mold of Hackney and Hickman.

Sounds like Coleman will step right in where May left off at LB. Dotson is a sure thing there as well.

 

Lets just hope there is a 170 lb running back type who can excel on that D-line in the mold of Hackney and Hickman.

 

I think this position should be renamed the CT position instead of DT... CT stands for Chihuahua Tackle.. because whoever plays it has to be agile, low to the ground, quick, and relentless. I feel confident at the DE's, NG, and LB... you will be hardpressed to find 5 better defensive players in the Mountains then Coleman, Dotson, Webb, Lee, and either Blackburn or Hall at the other DE....

By the way,

 

The exact reference given to me to describe Coleman was "The fans better pass the hat around at the Pike County Bowl. There's a good chance this boy will need bail money because he is going to be charged with assault and battery" HAHA

1. I can see that based upon players from the past at Belfry, but of the current team there are only two starters who are from "outside" Belfry's district lines. Ivan Lee, who came to Belfry prior to his Freshman year, and Thomas Varney whose family's house sits almost literally on top of the Pike Central/Belfry district line.

 

...

 

 

It isn't starters as much as it is depth, specifically on the lines. Belfry could typically go at 2-3 men deeper without a significant dropoff in blocking/jamming effectiveness. Fatigue is always a huge factor in the trenches late in the game, not to mention losses to injuries.

 

That was the difference maker when P-burg and Belfry played the close games a few years ago.

 

 

:bunny:

Here's a fun Belfry fact:

 

With Sheldon Clark deciding to install turf at their field, it means that Belfry will be playing 9 of their 10 regular season games on a synthetic turf surface.

 

If I am not mistaken about the allignment and playoff pairings it is highly plausible that Belfry can play 15 games this season, and 14 be on turf!