Watusi

For me too buddy, very odd. I looked at that, and it was like a guy who shaved his beard and took the first look at himself in the mirror. Just another strange feeling heading into this year.

I have always felt we (all Christians) have much more influence Monday through Friday in our daily interactions than any of us, ministers included, do on Sundays. It is all in how we walk the walk. As the old adage goes, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words"

Long story short, I ended up with 3 Romeo Y Juliet cuban cigars at $28 each and a big case of sticker shock. That was a really good introduction though for my first cigar.

Funny story. I was out of the country on a cruise and we ported in Jamaica. I knew my youngest son was about to get engaged and I thought maybe I would pick up some cigars and we could celebrate the event with him and my other son. At the time, I had never smoked a cigar in my life. So I went into this cigar shop and told the guy what I had in mind. He asked me how many I wanted. So I said I don't know really, I need 3 for this event, but I have friends I could share with, so maybe a box of 20. I was clueless. First cigar he showed me he said would run about $67. I thought that's not too bad for a box of cuban cigars, lol. He had to educate me that it was per cigar.

Putnam Stadium is a glorious venue, but it is tough to come out of there with a win for the visitors. Games have a way of slipping away there. I’ll be pulling for the Rams though and they have had more success there than my Pirates have.

You never know, especially this early in the season. I am a fan of the Raiders program and would love to see them succeed. Granted, not at my Pirates expense, but if that happened there would be a part of me that would be happy for them. Both head coaches are Pike County guys who know each other well too which adds to the interest for me at least

It is a fun proposition to be sure. Yet one more new thing for the Pirates this season. Belfry has been in 3A basically their entire existence since the 4 class system came into effect. The exception being the 8 years from 1999-2006 they were in 2A before bumping back to 3A in 2007. For much of the past few alignments, they were hovering near the bubble of 2A/3A and a few of those they elected to play up. Sometimes change is good.

Thanks Run DMC. I will have to take this up with my research staff. ?

East Carter opens up 2025 hosting Belfry in a game between two teams that don't have a long history, but have played a few times in the past. Coach Tim Champlin has done a fantastic job in Grayson developing the Raiders into a tough, hard nosed program over the past several seasons. They lost their QB1, Quentin Johnson from last season and they also will have to replace the production of their top running back Landon York. The raiders do return their leading tackler Dzsawn Beason from last season. You have to expect they will be ready for the Pirates and will play hard for 4 quarters, as has been their identity of late. On the opposite sideline, Belfry returns the bulk of their team, with about 18 of their 22 starters from last season back again for the 2025 season. The Pirates are Senior laden and have a lot of guys with experience suiting up. Notably, their 4 year starting QB Chase Varney. Varney is one of the very very few to start for 4 years at QB for the Pirates. The rest of the starting backfield also returns along with key backups. Even with all that returning, the Pirates have a cloud of uncertainty around them because of the loss of Head Coach Philip Haywood. Emotions are high in Pond Creek, although new Head Coach Matt Varney has all the support in the world from the Pond Creek faithful and very high confidence and expectations. Head to Head: Belfry has a 3-0 record vs East Carter. A couple of big wins in 2007 and 2008 but a very hotly contested game in 2021 in the semifinals that the Pirates finally pulled out 48-26 victory on their way to the State Title. 2024 Records: East Carter 7-5, lost to Lex Cath 42-7 in 2nd round of the playoffs. Belfry 11-3, lost to Union County 43-21 in the semifinals Last 4-Year Records: East Carter 33-17, Belfry 34-19

Oh yeah I get it. When we were dating back in the 80s my wife wore a perfume called Sand and Sable. I know if I ever smell that perfume again I would be 18 again and probably explode lol

I’m presently enjoying this Kristoff stick with an accompanying dose of Woodford. A very nice end to a long day

I am sure I would benefit from your experience.

The walking humor machine strikes again.

As a rule I am much more of a savory and spicy fan than I am of sweets. I like black coffee, peppery, spicy foods, etc. I don't eat a lot of sweets. And I find those culinary traits carrying over to my cigar preferences. Not sure if that holds true for everybody or if I am the exception.

I tried one and it was too sweet for me. It’s the only infused cigar I think I have tried. I’m still just exploring trying to see what I like. I seem to enjoy the spicier offerings. Had a Rocky Patel Edge in Maduro wrapper that was very good.

Coach Mark Dixon and the Commodores come to Belfry for a scrimmage against the Pirates. Coach Dixon’s teams have a long history of scrimmaging with Belfry that started when he was at Hazard. Glad to see he and Coach Varney continuing the tradition.

@Ram is a cigar aficionado if my memory serves.

Oh yeah I completely understand that. Funny how we can be transformed back in time when our senses are piqued. A smell, a taste or an old song can resurrect memories and take us back to a time or place we enjoyed a lifetime ago. That can be very comforting and full of good memories.

Who likes a good cigar? I recently dipped my toes in the water and it surprised me how much I enjoyed it. I never expected it. I bought a few to celebrate an event with my sons and now I think I’m officially one of those guys.

I think Raceland out scored Belfry 4-2 in varsity action. Someone can correct me if I am wrong as I wasn’t there.

Yeah that’s a triple option / belly pic for sure. These kids have run this offense for several years by the time they get on the high school field.

They usually are. I semi-follow the Ironmen. I went to a regional playoff game there about 10 years ago. Was blown away by the atmosphere, really electric and a huge crowd.

In short, they should be pretty good. Maybe not top 5 good, but in the next group with certainly a shot. They return almost everyone from last year, except Coach Haywood. The coaching staff has 5-6 guys with 20+ years on staff, so x's and o's will not be changing. The skill guys are talented, but a little undersized in the backfield. Defense was a concern last year, and depth. With almost all starters back that should improve. The big elephant in the room, how will the absence of PH affect them mentally, emotionally? He was the best at building up the team over the course of a season to peak at the right time. His "vision" of his teams, knowing how to develop them from August to November was a thing to watch. I personally think losing him will serve as a motivator and propel them (players and coaches) to succeed in his honor, but shew that is a tough task. I guess we have to expect some peaks and valleys. The early season schedule is tough, as usual. Their record heading into district play may not be great, but iron sharpens iron. That scheduling philosophy has stood the test of time with the Pirates.

The Rams and Pirates are very familiar with each other, having scrimmaged for the past several years. I think it is a match made in heaven, as the two teams typically match up well physically and both squads will benefit from it. Historically Belfry has a very utilitarian approach to scrimmages. They are not a thing of beauty, and nobody is trying to "win" as if it is a game. They have always treated it as a practice session, only difference is you get to hit somebody new instead of beating up on each other. LOL Usually the format is 10 plays each team for a few series, with no real down and distance rules followed. With the change in head coach at Belfry, will that change? Going to be very strange seeing the Pirates on the field without Coach Haywood.

It’s a special place in my heart too VOR.