Watusi

5A Southwestern (0-3) plays down in class again this week and hosts 2A Belfry (2-1) for a non-district clash. Both teams coming off disappointing losses. Southwestern lost to 2A Somerset 35-7 and Belfry lost to 4A Johnson Central 46-21 last Friday. Belfry leads this series 5-1 all-time with Southwestern's only win coming in 2019 Which one of these teams gets back on the right track this week?

I do. They are good hot dogs ?

Lightning delay after lightning delay. The clock never started and finally the decision was made to reschedule. So I guess I get to eat hot dogs for dinner again tonight ?

Probably started with “it ain’t over until we say it is. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?”

Different. Animal. Wow

I went to bed and it was 27-0 Raceland Woke up at 2 am and saw this and wanted to throw up ? Total disbelief. What happened?

If you like that and you’ve never tried this, you should. Dark, rich and flavorful

Belfry (2A #5) and Johnson Central (4A #7) continue their annual bloodbath this Friday at Philip Haywood Stadium in Belfry. Both teams come in with a record of 2-0 on the heels of impressive victories against highly regarded teams from bigger classes. Last week Johnson Central played a tight game verses a really good Class 6A Madison Central team and came away with a 15-14 victory. Likewise, Belfry looked impressive in shutting out perennial contender Class 3A Central by a score of 28-0. Belfry is almost always going to be the underdog in this matchup, but you never really know what to expect when they play Johnson Central. It doesn't always go by the chalk. There have been lots of close games, plenty of blowouts and several upsets since they renewed this game. There is no lack of history between these two teams. This rivalry goes way back into the 4 class system where they were district mates in 3A beginning in 1971. Belfry dominated that series and won the first 25 contests between the two. The rivalry renewed in 2007 after a 9 year hiatus when Belfry dropped to 2A. By then Jim Matney had began a transformation of the Golden Eagle program and we all know how that story has developed. Johnson Central finally got their first win against Belfry in 2009 and they have never looked back, running up a record of 11-5 verses the Pond Creekers in the last 16 years. Belfry leads the all-time series 30-11. The last 10 games have been split 6-4 in favor of the Eagles, but they have beaten the Pirates 6 out of the last 7.

Back to Belfry and Central. I’m really surprised by the lopsided opinions on this one. I have never put much stock in early season games and it seems like Central is really being undervalued because of their big loss to Manual. That’s unfair as Manual is really really good and Belfry ain’t Manual. Belfry is always a work in progress early on and won’t hit their stride until later in the season, at least that’s typical for them. Emotions will be really high tonight as the pirates take the field at Philip Haywood Stadium for the first time without him. Belfry may struggle with Centrals athleticism especially if the QB can throw it well and also move outside the pocket. Mobile quarterbacks are somewhat of a nemesis. I expect a really close game.

The white chicken chili I had at halftime, courtesy of Chad Brendel, is what got me through it.

That was actually my Belfry jacket and Ty Scroggins' Central jacket. We were in the big club section at WKU and he came over and had a great visit with a few of us regular fans. I couldn't resist the photo op.

Very very cold game and that was a really good Juggs team. That was one of my favorite road trips. It snowed sideways for a long time. I couldn’t make it home that night and ended up crashing in Lexington after an interesting drive down I75

That’s surprising given the history between these two teams.

Curious. Can’t remember Belfry having all that much success vs NKY teams. I respect the hate and love it when passion sparks it (I have my fair share of it too) just wondering where it comes from in this case. Would enjoy hearing more about that ?

Here’s a chance to stock up ? https://www.cigarbid.com/a/arturo-fuente-hemingway-short-story/5480799/

Belfry (1-0) and Central (0-1) are not natural enemies. They have never been in the same district or region. They don't play every year in the regular season. There are no coaching ties that keep the bonds of competition going. BUT, over the past nearly two decades, starting in 2007 I can't think of two teams a with a richer history, than Belfry and Central. Gone are Coach Haywood and Coach Scroggins, who shared a mutual respect and a drive to best the other one. Central's dominance early in the relationship definitely pushed Belfry to elevate their game. Coach Scroggins once said when people ask him about Central's natural rivalries within Louisville, he said, "The only rivalry we have is Belfry" The 2025 edition of these teams is different than prior versions. Central is in 3A and Belfry is now 2A. But I know the fire is still burning and these two proud programs really want to win against each other. Central makes the long drive to Pond Creek for this one in the late game Friday night, which could kickoff anytime between 8:30 and Midnight. (Pike County Bowl history suggest kickoff times are all over the map due to heat or weather) Head to Head: Central leads the all-time series 6-3 as follows: Semifinals: Central 1, Belfry 0, State Championships: Central 4, Belfry 2, Regular Season: Central 1, Belfry 1. 2024 Records: Belfry 11-3, lost to Union County 43-21 in the semifinals. Central 9-4, lost to CAL 28-6 in the regional finals.

Very happy for the Lions to get off to a good start. Congrats to my friends there especially the one on the sidelines.

The Coach Matt Varney reign gets off on a positive note. Congrats to the Pirates on an emotional win to kick off the new era.

Nice win for the CAL machine tonight. Always good to get the kinks out in week zero and get a little tune up for the tougher competition ahead.

? Not at all. Quite the contrary, I am as happy as I can be. I’m pleasant to be around and dog-gone-it, people like me.

It’s not complicated and no secret, I hate the Panthers and hope they lose every game in every sport ? And yes, it goes really deep.

New helmet stickers going on today. This is perfect for Coach Haywood. Understated, classic, simple.

Yes, I agree but I was just talking travel. I would love a game with Mayfield, that needs to happen. I would not love the trip

Just hope to avoid a trip to Mayfield in the semifinals ?

My head says CAL wins this one by 3 touchdowns and both teams shake off some rust. My heart says I hope CAL wins by a lot more than that. ?