Pirate Pride

Big third and short here for Hazard...

Big defensive play for Hazard. Field Goal?

Early on it sounds like Beechwood should just run STRAIGHT at Hazard.

I think the Pep Rally makes a lot of sense for smaller communities. While I agree that there is still work to be done, it is pretty special for a small town like Hazard to be able to rally around their school and feel good about their community. The same for Belfry when we did it. In small towns like those our football teams mean a bit more IMO. The whole community can take pride, sorta like in the movie, Friday Night Lights. ("Make no mistake, we are in the business of protecting this town.") While I think the above is a bit much, the theme itself really exists.

Streamed at KHSAA's site (thanks Strike3). I think Hazard gets beat handily. They probably have enough athletes to match up at the skill positions, but I question whether or not they will be strong enough up front to play with Beechwood, who is VERY strong on the LOS.

I am sure it has been covered somewhere before, but I couldn't locate the information. Are the games being streamed? Thanks in advance

My heart broke when I learned of this outcome last night. Congrats to Breathitt County on a very nice win! Represent the mountains well next week. Great season Belfry.

I think its Guru!

Good to hear man!

Sorry to get off topic.

It would be ONE extra year of school if you hold them back one year. I like it for more reasons than just sports. I think having an extra year to mature prior to going off to college is a good idea. And, if you are talented in sports, it might make the difference between getting much needed scholly money or not. Free education is a worthy goal.

Is Crittenden County balanced on offense?

It used to be, you held a kid back who was "immature" but IMO you hold ANY kid with excellent athletic talent back. Do it while he is young. It will probably help him in athletics, and even if it doesn't, he/she will be one year more mature when graduation/adulthood hits. I REALLY do think holding a child back is a fair & smart thing to do. Just do it young.

5wide Thats the dirty little secretl... football game are won or lost UP FRONT. Fugate might be hands down the best athlete on the field and his team might get beat by 21 points. Good players and coaching up front win ball games! I like Haywood & Co. for that reason.

Maybe it is a whole new thread, but how on earth is a kid like Ivan Lee (Belfry) not being recruited by EKU, WKU, Murray St. etc? I am not saying he is bigtime D-1, but you can't tell me Murray State or Austin Peay couldn't use a 6'1 240lb strong kid who can flat run... I think some of the smaller KY schools and MAC schools are missing out by not taking a look deep in coal country.

#7 from X? Isn't he a stud?

Fugate leads the way Then the others.... Varney from Belfry is a real good High School tailback, but he is small.. Richardson from Johnson Central is good as well. I'm sure there are many others, but in terms of the total package, ie, size/speed/skill - FUGATE has it all.

Has Breathitt been vunerable on run defense this year? Holding Estill would seem to suggest they are pretty stout in that area.

Outside of Paducah Tilghman there were NO traditional powers from that region. I guess someone had to advance. I was just wondering if they could even compete with Central. Guess not.

Certainly agree with that post. I do think it will be a MUCH better ballgame this time around. That said, I think Belfry's quick and smaller defense is better suited to stop a "Shotgun style" running game than the more traditional power running game. Just my .02

Thanks a lot for the recap. Very little detailed information comes out about Central.

Ha. Liked my Keys to the game huh Watusi? Well, pretty much straight from Coach Haywood's mind, and true. Belfry wins games up front.

Belfry The keys to the game for Belfry are to control both LOS; tackle well on defense; and execute on offense, meaning few penalties/turnovers. If Belfry plays a clean (execution wise) game and wins the LOS, they win.

Is Calloway the team with the stud QB?

Any details?