Watusi

GRC, I admire your tenacity, but you are intentionally ignoring the question. This thread isn't asking who is the King of the East. You are hung up on that terminology but that was another thread. Lets go ahead and crown JC King of the East if based on head to head success against Belfry. Nobody will argue the fact that JC has been a better team than Belfry consistently over the last several years. With that out of the way, can you objectively answer the question posed here? Which team has been more successful? I'm going to have faith in you that you will give us an honest answer. :thumb:

Prior to 2007, Belfry's record against JC on the football field was something like 27-0, making the overall record in the 30-5 range. Honestly though, I'm not sure how to evaluate that into this discussion since I can't yet figure out what the parameters are. :idunno:

So how did this game play out? I know SW had a 14-3 lead at some point and Central came back, but I have no idea about the details. Does anyone have stats? Did Central move the ball on the ground or was their success through the air again, ala last week vs Corbin?

Congratulations to Williamsburg on the win, and I will be there pulling for you next week, just like I was last season. I hope you bring home the first State Championship. :thumb: I was pulling hard for Raceland. There is not another 1A program in KY that I'd rather see win a title than the Rams. I hope the seniors realize what an accomplishment they have reached over the last few years, and they don't judge things based on this one game. You have taken your program to new levels, never before reached. For all you underclassmen, remember this feeling, get back in the weight room and work extremely hard the next year with one goal in mind. Keep the program moving forward and hopefully this time next season you will be planning your trip to Bowling Green. Go Rams!!

You are welcome. Anything to help the cause. :thumb:

Overall Highlands leads the series with Belfry 3-2 but they are all ancient Highlands beat Belfry twice in the 60's 1979 Belfry 14, HHS 8 1989 HHS beat Belfry in overtime by a TD 1990 Belfry 38, HHS 7

I was impressed with Russell tonight also. They were disciplined and very well coached. They played with grit, and even though they were just up against a better team, you could see the difference in this team and the fire in their bellies. It was odd seeing them run out of the gun instead of the old wing T, however, lol. Congratulations to the Red Devils on a great season, it is good to see them back in the hunt and they will be very good next year. The QB, McKee is a great dual threat, and he and the RB, Conley both return for next season. That will be a fun backfield to watch. Korzep is a man on both sides of the ball and I know Russell will miss him. The Russell crowd was also impressive, they were big in numbers and very loud. I'm looking forward to being in the same region as the Red Devils next season. Just like old times, it just isn't the same unless Belfry and Russell are battling it out in the post season.

You can look at those stats and tell that Belfry played very well defensively. It was another matter seeing it in person, and I'm not sure the stats give justice to just how much Belfry dominated on D. Kudos to the front line, especially, who really forced their will upon the Russell offensive line. Belfry played in the Red Devil backfield all night and it was the difference in the game. Russell didn't cross midfield until late in the 3rd quarter and they barely gained 100 yards on the night. Belfry moves on to a 5th consecutive state title game. They won last year after losing 3 in a row to Central. How fitting that they meet again. If you ask those close to the program what has been the difference in Belfry's bringing their game to the next level, you would get a variety of answers. I can tell you, without hesitation, that I think the one thing that has driven them to get better is... Louisville Central. I have really enjoyed watching this group of seniors, they are talented, albeit small in numbers. This team is young, only 7 senior on the roster and they play a ton of sophomores and a few freshmen. Those seniors, however, are a special group all the way around and I hope they go out with a ring.

Beechwood Willamsburg Highlands Trinity Dixie Pulaski Graves Owensboro S. Warren DeSales 44

You may be right. I think Belfry had thrown to big TE Aaron Chapman successfully that game, but I can't seem to remember an interception late. Your memory is probably better than mine.

Yep, watched that one with you, right? Russell built a 20-0 lead at the half and Belfry came back in the 2nd half. Belfry actually scored a touchdown late that would have tied it up (or put them ahead with the XP) but a procedure penalty on one of the backs brought it back and Russell held on to win. I also remember one of the more remarkable plays in that game. Right before halftime, Russell broke a long run down the sideline. I can't remember if it was Tommy Brown or Kasey Clark, but the RB was free and clear and it looked like a sure TD. Belfry's Matt Maynard ran him down from behind and it was just an incredible play. Maynard came from so far away to save that TD or it would have been 27-0 at the half. Russell went on to win the title by a couple of TD's. That small movement by the back on that procedure penalty, which was a legitimate call, probably cost Belfry a 3-peat.

The first two games were very competitive, the last 3, not so much. 2004 Semifinals - Belfry 39 Russell 17 at Belfry 2005 Semifinals - Russell 20 Belfry 14 at Russell 2006 Semifinals - Russell 19 Belfry 0 at Belfry 2008 Round 2 - Belfry 42 Russell 0 at Belfry 2010 Regionals - Belfry 42 Russell 14 at Belfry

Mike Whittaker was the QB on those Leslie Co teams and they threw the ball all over the field. He was later the coach at Leslie County during the Tim Couch era

Yes, Belfry was the 3A runner up the prior year in 1979 and Leslie County was the other semifinalist. We were 3A from the early 70's up through the 98 season. Then we went back to 3A when KY went to 6 classes.

Hey, my wife and I discussed wrapping our turkey in bacon, kind of in jest. I'll be that will be awesome when it is done. :thumb:

I think cost is a huge concern these days for all things school related. Especially for a rural school like Belfry, where there is not a charter bus company within 2 hours. I think Huntington or Lexington is the closest ones available, which drives up the cost even more.

For all you Cooper fans, here is an article on Raceland super fan "The Commish" Mark Cooper. He has family ties to your school, and this is a great read. http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/independent-hangin-commish-292210.html

If you don't mind, please say what school you are talking about when you post.

Like Raceland in the past, Belfry always travels on the big yellow submarines, never on charter busses. It is a practice that goes way back with this coaching staff. I think stems from the "bue collar" personna. I don't know if it is something Coach Haywood dictates or if it is just continuing a tradition from years past. If you see Belfry on a road trip, whether it is an hour or 6 hours, you will see a convoy of school busses and fans, traveling together.

There was an interesting discussion in the Raceland thread about former coach TJ Maynard's dislike of taking charter busses to away games. So it made me wonder what the normal is for other playoff teams. Does your team take charter busses for all playoff games? Or maybe only for longer trips like the semifinals and finals? Or does your team stick with regular school busses?

Nothing like practicing on Turkey Day!!!! It is a special thing.

Great article, LRCW, thanks for posting it.

I voted for chewy, but I really like it in between chewy and crispy. I don't like it flimsy, but I don't like it really crispy either. It should be stiff enough to hold shape, but not brittle.