There are some impressive coaches all over with a lot of wins Bowden, Perterno and others but their not the ones everyone are looking at this year. Sure the Bell County coach is good but I feel Boyle County has finally found the man to replace Smith. It'll just be a matter of time before he has an impressive win count.

 

Keep in mind that Dudley and the Bobcats took it to his great Lincoln Co. team before you whisked Coach French away! Hilton certainly wasn't outcoached that night at the Death Valley Bowl 2007.

Special teams have been a big part of Bell's success this season. Merrick has not had to punt but six times this season until playoffs. He has had nearly that many in the last two playoff games! Pinned Rock on the 4,6, and 8 yd. line on punts. Had several good punts against Knox Central and 2/3 field goals. His only miss came on a 47 yd. attempt that was backed up five more yards....due to "false start" on line. The six field goal points contributed significantly to the Bell win. Bell and Knox each had two td's. How does Boyle County match up in this important area.....especially when two defenses and offenses are well-matched?

Boyle you better be ready to play. You know what the old saying is! Once you step off the bus in the moutains your already down by three touchdowns.

Special teams have been a big part of Bell's success this season. Merrick has not had to punt but six times this season until playoffs. He has had nearly that many in the last two playoff games! Pinned Rock on the 4,6, and 8 yd. line on punts. Had several good punts against Knox Central and 2/3 field goals. His only miss came on a 47 yd. attempt that was backed up five more yards....due to "false start" on line. The six field goal points contributed significantly to the Bell win. Bell and Knox each had two td's. How does Boyle County match up in this important area.....especially when two defenses and offenses are well-matched?

 

Not only is the fact that Bell County can put points up at will if they choose from inside about the 35-40 yard line, Merrick also makes it very difficult for opposing teams to stay fresh, consistently starting their drives on the 20 after kickoffs, and usually pinned back even further after punts. He could be the difference maker in this game.

Keep in mind that Dudley and the Bobcats took it to his great Lincoln Co. team before you whisked Coach French away! Hilton certainly wasn't outcoached that night at the Death Valley Bowl 2007.

 

This is the same Dudley Hilton who had Highlands play them on Thanksgiving night in Log Mountain in 92. No team is allowed to play on Thanksgiving anymore. They named that rule after Dudley Hilton.

Not only is the fact that Bell County can put points up at will if they choose from inside about the 35-40 yard line, Merrick also makes it very difficult for opposing teams to stay fresh, consistently starting their drives on the 20 after kickoffs, and usually pinned back even further after punts. He could be the difference maker in this game.

 

Did he play against Knox Central friday? Just curious.

Keep in mind that Dudley and the Bobcats took it to his great Lincoln Co. team before you whisked Coach French away! Hilton certainly wasn't outcoached that night at the Death Valley Bowl 2007.

 

Everyone on here has acknowledged how great a coach Dudley is but you are a little overboard on this one Tom. Sure some poster (don't know if he's a Boyle poster or not) insinuated French was a better coach but most of us blew that off as bluster. To try and compare coaches records vs. each other from different schools is a little like apples to oranges. :thumb:

It's been some time since I have traveled to Middlesboro. What are some of the nicer places to eat at in Barbourville or Corbin now?

 

Sonny's barbeque in Corbin. Just off the interstate.

This is the same Dudley Hilton who had Highlands play them on Thanksgiving night in Log Mountain in 92. No team is allowed to play on Thanksgiving anymore. They named that rule after Dudley Hilton.

 

You can stil play on Thursday both teams have to agree though.

Keep in mind that Dudley and the Bobcats took it to his great Lincoln Co. team before you whisked Coach French away! Hilton certainly wasn't outcoached that night at the Death Valley Bowl 2007.

 

Tom, you will find out in due time that we are not Lincoln County.

Tom, you will find out in due time that we are not Lincoln County.

 

Prior to 1842 you were!

Tom, you will find out in due time that we are not Lincoln County.

 

No, we most definitely are NOT Lincoln County.

Special teams have been a big part of Bell's success this season. Merrick has not had to punt but six times this season until playoffs. He has had nearly that many in the last two playoff games! Pinned Rock on the 4,6, and 8 yd. line on punts. Had several good punts against Knox Central and 2/3 field goals. His only miss came on a 47 yd. attempt that was backed up five more yards....due to "false start" on line. The six field goal points contributed significantly to the Bell win. Bell and Knox each had two td's. How does Boyle County match up in this important area.....especially when two defenses and offenses are well-matched?

 

Actually I think Bell not punting much this season may hurt them in this big game. If you have watched Boyle over the years one trait they have always had going back into their title runs is they COME AFTER YOUR PUNTS. If a long snapper has not had many reps snapping in games this season one average snap may cost you a football game against Boyle cause they are coming. Their long snapper this week will snap more this week then they have all season.

Did he play against Knox Central friday? Just curious.

 

Yes, Merrick played. If you attended the game I'm not sure how you didnt notice him. KC had maybe 1 or 2 returns on kickoffs, neither really going for much that i can remember. and he pinned them deep a couple times on punts, had 2 long field goals that proved to be the difference in the game, as both teams scored 2 TD's.

Attention sand baggers. Blue light special on sand bags! :laugh:

 

I don't know how anyone can say that Boyle is a clear cut favorite. Bell has the same record and has a stingier defense than even Boyle. A team that gives up only 35 points on the year to 13 opponents is the formidible favorite. A team that was in this same game last year is the favorite. (Hint this is Boyle's first Semi-Final since 2004)

 

What more does Bell have to get going Leonidas? If you had this Bobcat defense at Thermopolye the Persians would have never been able to get through. :thumb:

 

This is Bells first semi-final appearance since 04 as well. Boyle was defeated by Lex. Cath last year to get to the bobcats so that statement really holds zero bearing on the outcome of the game. Boyle has been there they know what it is like to win state championships so does Bell. This will be an incredible football game to watch and we will truly find out who is number 1 friday night.