Breathitt plays a great second half after trailing 28 to 21 at the half. I am afraid they may be done after this week if they play antoher half like that.

Congrats to Breathitt on the win. They came out in the second half with a purpose. Bears...I'm proud of you. Lots to build on and a year in the weight room will make a huge difference. 5A here we come.

Congrats to Breathitt on the win. They came out in the second half with a purpose. Bears...I'm proud of you. Lots to build on and a year in the weight room will make a huge difference. 5A here we come.

 

Yup. Great effort by Harlan Co. They came into this game with a purpose and played a great game. This game was much closer than the score.

Just to sum it all up (may be some repeats of bf4e's post)...

 

Breathitt trailed 28-21 at the half. They outscored Harlan County 26-6 in the third quarter to take a 47-34 lead into the final period. They tacked on 15 more in the final quarter for a 62-34 victory. What a dominating performance in the final two quarters...

 

A few thoughts...

 

1. I never imagined these two teams would run up and down the field and score the way they did in this game. I expected the score to be a bit lower than this...

 

2. Harlan County played much better this time around. I expected them to give Breathitt a good game and they did, IMO. The final margin may have ended up a bit larger than expected because Breathitt dominated the second half, but this game was still up for grabs into the final quarter. Fugate ripped off a 76 yard TD run late in the third to put Breathitt up 47-34...so, at that point, Harlan County still had a chance to get the ball back and cut the lead to 6 points...

 

3. Breathitt County can't expect to play one good half and keep winning as the playoffs continue. In fact, they were lucky to escape with the W in their last matchup with Estill County, IMO. The Engineers actually shut the Bobcat offense out...a missed XP and a defensive TD allowed Breahitt County to squeak out a 7-6 victory.

 

4. Against Estill...first, they better come prepared to play from the opening kickoff next week, and ready to play four quarters. Second, the defense needs to play better than it has the past two weeks (especially in the first halves). Third, the offense better give them something this time around...I don't see them beating Estill County again without scoring an offensive TD.

 

Finally, a few stats...

 

Jade Haddix was 9 of 16 for 192 yards through the air.

 

Fletcher had 4 catches for 118 yards and 3 TD.

 

Channing Fugate had 21 carries for 371 yards and 5 TD. This kid has been unreal this season. What a season...to keep doing this week after week when everyone knows he's the key to the offense is pretty impressive. But, the running is going to get much tougher starting next week.

 

Congratulations to Harlan County on a fine season and for making the trip to Jackson and redeeming themselves by giving the Bobcats a real fight. Like I said, people may look at the final score and get the wrong idea about this football game...don't be fooled. Harlan County brought it tonight and made Breathitt County earn this victory. The Black Bears have nothing to be ashamed of...merging schools and meshing a football program is a process that doesn't happen overnight. They showed some improvement as the season progressed and laid the foundation for a bright future. With a coach like Larkey, a good talent pool, and a great fan base, this program is on its way and will be a major factor in mountain football. :thumb:

Breathitt's run defense has got to shore up in a hurry. Not only does Estill pose issues if they can't improve, but Belfry is altogether a completely different monster.

Breathitt's run defense has got to shore up in a hurry. Not only does Estill pose issues if they can't improve, but Belfry is altogether a completely different monster.

 

IF Breathitt gets by Estill next week, because that game is certainly up for grabs, I'd be really surprised to see them beat Belfry. Breathitt struggles against big, strong teams with powerful rushing attacks and Belfry is as good as they get at playing that style...Johnson Central really had their way at the point of attack and running the ball against Breathitt and they're obviously not as good as Belfry.

 

I'd give the Bobcats a fighting chance, but it would take their best game of the year, IMO, combined with something less than Belfry's best.

 

I don't see Breathitt beating Belfry this year. I just don't think they have the horses.

 

JMO

 

But, I'm not worried about Belfry right now. Estill County will give us all we want, and maybe more. Considering how they've been playing, and the fact that they outplayed us the first time around, I actually think they should be favored next Friday.

If Belfry can survive Sheldon Clark, I know there is no toehr fanbase I would rather welcome back to CAM than Breathitt's. Without a doubt one of the best following's in the State bar none... good luck this week to both teams, but in particular Coach Holcomb's Bobcats!

Edited November 22, 200817 yr by Ram
Rule 13

As a neutral coach that's seen a lot of great teams this year I can't say enough great things about Fuggate. If you get the chance to watch him do his thing then go to the game. He is special!

As a neutral coach that's seen a lot of great teams this year I can't say enough great things about Fuggate. If you get the chance to watch him do his thing then go to the game. He is special!

 

Or, if you can't get to a game this year...

 

...he'll be around next fall. What a treat...he's only a junior, so we'll get another season of watching him.

2. Harlan County played much better this time around. I expected them to give Breathitt a good game and they did, IMO. The final margin may have ended up a bit larger than expected because Breathitt dominated the second half, but this game was still up for grabs into the final quarter. Fugate ripped off a 76 yard TD run late in the third to put Breathitt up 47-34...so, at that point, Harlan County still had a chance to get the ball back and cut the lead to 6 points...

 

 

Yeah dropping that wide open touchdown pass with about 11 minutes to go in the game was huge, it would've been a 6 point game, great game. Thanks for pointing out the positives for both teams. HC really played hard the whole game and brought a lot of emotion and a great gameplan. Thinking back on it, when HC was up 34-33 in the 3rd quarter, it is unreal how bad things got so quickly but the game was still a toss up up until the final 6-7 minutes. Good Luck in the next round Bobcats!

Harlan County made a lot of progress this year. Coach Larkey and staff did a very good job with them, as most of us expected they would.

Wow, lot's of points

Sounds like Breathitt and Estill will put on a great show, iwould really like to be there. Does any one know what fm radio station will broad cast the game and if the radio station has an on-line E-feed. best of luck to both teams.:thumb:

The Black Bears finished 8-4 pretty darn good for a new team. We are headed in the right direction I look forward to next year and beyond. Should've, could've sure done us in tonight. Dropped pass, two turnovers, you just can't over come that stuff. Good game though. Really proud of my Bears! How long to next year? Go Bears!

Good luck to the Bears next year and good game Breathitt.