Watusi

The Matt Varney era at the helm of the Pirate ship began with a success. After the untimely passing of Coach Philip Haywood, there was naturally some concern of how the program would carry on in his absence. Those questions were answered with a universal approval on Pond Creek as the Pirates completed a 12-2 season and a narrow loss in the semifinals 34-29 to eventual champs Lexington Christian. Along the way, Belfry won an impressive 9 games in a row, including a couple playoff wins, via the running clock. What lies ahead in 2026 for the Belfry program? The Pirates were hit really hard by graduation, losing 15 seniors, many of whom were 3 or 4 year starters. Replacing that type of experience and leadership will be a tough task. They do return a lot of production in the backfield as Eli Caudill, JB Woolum and Dante Davis all return, as well as a lot of underclassmen who saw lots of action in the blowout wins last season. Sophomore QB Gabe Varney is expected to replace 4 year starter Chase Varney running the offense. One thing you can always count on with Belfry is they will be fundamentally sound, they will play with physicality and toughness, and they will be well coached. This coaching staff remained in tact after Coach Haywood's passing, many of whom have coached at Belfry for 20 years or more. That continuity is really tough to find. There will be some growing pains expected for 2026 as this team will be young, but the Pirates have a knack for being well seasoned by playoff time and everybody on Pond Creek will be expecting a competitive effort from the Big Red.

And here is a local media guy with a direct quote from Matt Varney, Belfry’s head coach…

For those saying "Belfry maybe (or probably) chose to stay out instead of taking the long walk... I had those initial thoughts as well. I wondered if it was a time management decision where they felt they needed all the halftime to coach 'em up. I wondered if it was forced or if it just was bad optics. Today I have been told they were flat denied the opportunity to leave the field and walk to the locker room. This was posted on facebook by Belfry's head coach's adult son in response to that type of speculation, so it is a pretty good source " they was denied entry by LCA officials and Lexington PD. The team was exiting the field when Lexington PD blocked the exit and denied entry. When asked for a reason on why Belfry couldn’t go back to there assigned locker room LCA assistant AD responded “that’s just the way we do it” . The pirates was then escorted off by Lexington PD to concrete bleachers on a soccer field ."

Me too.

I’m hearing from good sources it’s true. Belfry players took turns going in restroom to warm hands using hand dryers. Spent the entire halftime outside in bleachers at adjacent field No excuse for that

It appears so, and temps were in the 20’s. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DV6QwJpsf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

That’s is disgraceful. I can’t imagine that happening.

4 pretty good football teams playing in 2 A tonight. Would’ve liked to just have a 2A round robin tourney

That’ll do it. What a great game. Good luck to LCA moving forward.

Time?

Belfry has had very few turnovers on the year and this one comes at the worst possible time. need to play some D

Hell of a game

Go Pirates 🏴‍☠️

Crew messed it up and gave Belfry an extra play

Some confusion on the field and the refs can’t decide 3rd or 4th. it should be 4th but the crew is undecided