brad_bchs

Bell's didn't have very many weaknesses this year:sssh:. Also, Rockcastle's defense was pretty sound against Bell, before dudley learned a quarterback can be used to throw the ball instead of being that pesky middle man between the football and the HB:ohbrother:. Not to downgrade any HC players, I personally know some of them, like them, but you cant really beleive this HC defense is even on par with many of the past Rock defenses in just two years in the system can you? Who knows they may do good, they may be one of the toughest defenses in the mountains, but when teams have a strong running game, and average to strong passing game and begin utilizing the pass on them, they're in for a long night, very long night regardless of the talent they have.

Matt Raines has improved greatly and really buckled down in conditioning this offseason and over track. He's added bulk, the kid seems bigger everytime I see him. I wouldnt be surprised one bit if he turned out to be in the running for Mr. Football at the end of the season. I've posted several times on here, and said it many times at games, he is by far IMO the best pure athlete on this Bell Co. team. Also saw Dominic Carton today, to me looks like he's cut some weight and been adding more muscle. The majority of the team seems extremely motivated not to just stop at one run to state, but to bring several back to the mountains. I'm itching for Bell's Midnight Madness to get here:ylsuper:

Here is the Bell Co. state championship rings, it is a little blurry, but just has the cats logo in the center, I think they are very nice.

If I'm reading this right,the 6'4 235 TE, is a freshman?!?:eek:

I wasn't sure on the numbers, but I knew those two alone would just pick holes out consistently. Thing was, none of them was easy yards picked up on wide open holes, Smith would break several tackles every time he'd pull it down and run. McCarthy done something I've personally not seen done in quite some time by just flat out running over some Bell defenders, and some of the most solid tacklers on the team. Was only taken down on a one on one type hit twice I beleive, both times by Josh Brown. I could be wrong, but I dont look for BE or KC to be as strong as they we're last year, losing those two guys hurt badly.

Despite his size, I really enjoyed watching Smith play when I saw him, even though it was against Bell. Like Commander said, big time shoes for someone to fill, big play after big play for him. By saying I'm Looking for KC to drop off a bit isn't any kind of attack on KC at all to clarify it, just that Smith was that good for them. Seemed like besides McCarthy in the championship game Smith was the only one that could consistently and effectively move the ball on the Bell D last year.

I think it'll be hard for KC to contend. Both times I watched them play last year, Smith I beleive is his name, the QB, was the heart and sole of that teams and it was big play after big play comming from him. and if I'm thinking right he graduated. Big time loss.

I hate to drag this into this topic, its just to hard to pass up though. You say Knox had Bell beaten, I dont see it that way. They had a slight lead late in the game, and the better team prevailed. No one seems to remember Knox got the ball back with time on the clock, but the drives was stopped by a Bell INT, I dont see that as being nearly beaten I see it as the better team prevailing. Onto this HC defense, I didnt get the chance to see them play but the scores of the games did make it look a little suspect. Cant wait to see the Hilton-Larkey rivalry renewed though:ylsuper:

I see Josh quite often, I'd say honestly he and Goodin of last season are about equal in condition. Brown has been lifting pretty hard over the offseason I know. But I would say come time for the season he'll be in good enough shape to play both sides of the ball, that hill running in the heat over summer works wonders.:thumb:

Josh Brown could be a very good replacement for Goodin at FB. If anyone has ever saw JB run, Very similar runner to Goodin, just with probably more speed. Tough, strong, downhill runners.

Just a bit of information, the first game with Knox was 21-0, I dont think that was nearly being beat personally. The second game was close, and you gave Boyle no credit, IMO they gave us the best game of the year. The Final score against BE was close yes, but it was a whole new game in the second half of it when the Bell boys settled down and coach Hilton tore into them during half time. BE definately gained the respect of the Bell fans though. With that being said... Bell lost 13 very talented seniors, but IMO they are replaceable. The biggest problem for the 2009 Bobcats will be special teams. Losing Merrick is a HUGE loss, the biggest IMO. Big difference in teams starting from the 20 every time instead of possible 30- 40 yard line, or even risking a TD return. The strength of Bell County since as long as I can remember is in the run. Greer was a very talented kid, but in my personal opinion was'nt even the best back on the team and I think that showed in the championship game and throught the playoffs, given he was battling injuries. Carton will be a load for anyone to bring down this comming year, and has been since his freshman season when given carries. Cory Davenport looks like a capable back, has some good speed and is a big play guy, plus two very athletic fast kids comming in from 8th grade in Jonathan Polly and Ryan Collett who can both play at different spots on the field on both defense and offense, and depending on how they look over summer, may get some varsity playing time, I've heard good thigns about both from coach Hilton himself at the 8th grade games I attended. At QB, Zachery will also be missed but copetition for the starting spot should be there with soon to be junior Ben Madon, and upcoming freshman Cory Oslonian, who by the way was a middle school All American and played in the MS All American game in I beleive Texas, tremendous athlete there, can play both sides and has an incredibly strong arm from what I've saw. The O-line for bell will mostly be seniors, and should be one of the best in the state. The biggest losses on this team will be on defense, with Simpson, Zachery, and Harbin being the key losses. But they also return some big time playmakers and athletes in Matt Raines, Keith Lowe, JD Hilton, both Davenports can play D, and most of the D Line will be seniors/juniors and the upcomming freshman class is an extremely athletic bunch, wouldnt be surprised if a few of them work their way into some playing time on defense. All this being said, looking over the schedule that I know of right now, barring any major upsets or turn of events for the worse, I'm only seeing the potential of 2 losses, not to sound cocky or confident, just my opinion. I'm sure some will know who the 2 possibilities are. :thumb: Hope this wasn't to much reading for anyone or offensive to anyone at all.

I somehow forgot all about Lex Cath, my bad:sssh: no idea how I did that.

I would think its people just jumping the gun. I dont mean to sound confident or cocky in any way, but it looks to me like for the next few years, Bell and Boyle is going to be running the 4A class, so why meet up in the regular season, when on paper, its looking like both squads are gonna see each other quite a bit in the playoffs. I've heard several things though regarding schedules, cant ever be to sure until the final one is set in stone and released though. By the way I just got pretty curious, has Rees had any d-1 offers or looks to this point?

Not to be too biased, I just watched the video of the Russell kid, and it seems to me like everyone on not only his squad, but opposing squads, he's much bigger than. He looks like a major talent to keep an eye on. And from experience, I saw MacShara run only once last year, on a cold frozen feild, and only two words are needed to describe it - FAST, Elusive. He makes tremendous cuts, had the QB been scanning the feild better, MacShara was open all night comming out of the backfield after he made his cut to the middle of the feild vs. Bell County, Very interested in not only seeing him again come November, but keeping up with how he does on his senior campaign. Very good looking class so far.

Dominic Carton of Bell County. Should be the feature back next year. 588 yards on just 64 carries (split carries with 4 other backs, sat out first 2 games with injury) averaged 9.1 yards per carry, 6 TDs John Dudley Hilton from Bell Co. also. I beleive 123 total tackles on the year, not sure on int or fumble numbers. 14 receptions, 293 yards and 6 TDs on the year at tight end.

Matt Raines and Billy Lawson of Bell County are two very good talents.

I'm definately going to miss watching Merrick play. I'm going to miss just watching him during warm ups!.

This is completely off topic, but southeast bell, I really like your avatar picture. Also really like how Adams is Repin' the Cats sticker on it :ylsuper:

Any word on how Greer and Merrick from Bell Co. played?

I'm pretty close to Harlan, as in the county, and know a couple players on the team but I'm not to keen on the program. I'd like to see Marcus McMillan get some more carries in the upcomming year, he's got potential to be a good one. Also, I heard alot about a kid the played for New Harlan, Tucker Lewis I beleive, is he a freshman next year?

Yes, I did Before the injury. I certainly expected him to come in and be a very good player, especially with two years of experience and practice under Larkey, two years he will not be getting. I just personally feel that the injury keeping him from working out running or practicing at all for a full year is definately opening up some doors for others to surpass him. He's a great athlete and has very good potential, but it may be too much to not only get back into playing shape but to also get on the field and prove himself. I really hope he does, as I said he's a friend of mine, I want to see him succeed in every way and i hope he does, but its gonna be an uphill battle.

Don't mean to intrude on the conversation, but IMHO I dont think Stewart will be much of an impact. In no way do I mean this as any thing negative, he's a personal friend of mine, but I just dont see it happening, unless he has some kind of crazy work ethic. I saw him at the Bell County- Boyle game, was the last time I talked to him and he's gained quite a bit of weight, and said he hasnt been lifting or working out much, which should open up for some other players to leap past him on the depth chart, if he returns, I would think.

I was talking to a kid on the Bell County team on thanksgiving, he told me what the full design for the ring was going to be, dont want to give it away though. I also asked him the questions about how their being paid for and he said the school boosters is chipping in and also a team sponsor is helping to cover the cost.

One major player missing to me, is Junior DE from Bell County, Keith Lowe. I dont understand how he wasn't even an honorable mention. Lowe was huge for the bobcats the entire year, and one of the most consistent players on the Bobcat defense besides John Dudley, can't see why he wasnt even honorable mention as well.

It was a very off game. I dont know what the deal was, but he was off. May have been nerves, who knows. And if you were watching warm ups, I dont know how you can say they were all low when he was bombing them from 40+ into the stands, but that was still a little off compared to what we've seen from him in the past. The decision for WKU really shocks me, I had heard from several people he wanted to stay pretty close to home, but I just dont know why he'd choose WKU when there was so many bigger name programs who wanted him. Either way, good luck to Monte at the next level, and I really hope to see him playing on sundays in the future, he really has the potential.