EKU_05

Belfry in the 15th region. Shelby Valley has been the odds on favorite all season, but the Pirates are smoking hot right now and playing excellent team ball. Belfry has already knocked off the pre-season favorite Paintsville and during the regular season defeated 57th and 58th district champions Magoffin County and Allen Central. The Pirates lost only once in the regular season to a 15th region opponent, Pikeville, when star player Jaime Case was playing.

For those from around the state who may not know about this game, this was a matchup between arguably 2 of the top 3 teams in the region. Belfry is red-hot right now led by Jaime Case who in my opinion is the no brainer choice for 15th Region Player of the Year. Belfry has won 10 straight games since Case returned from a two game suspension, and during Case's absence the Pirates lost twice to teams that they later avenged by defeating by 20+ points. Case scored 26 tonight before fouling out with 3 minutes to go, Dustin May was a monster tonight scoring 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, andquite a few blocked shots. With Case out May stepped up and made numerous clutch free throws. Painstville, which si heavily junior laden, was lead by JD VanHoose with 23.

Until Middlesboro makes some changes defensively they have NO SHOT at advancing past the regional finals. Middlesboro was the most athletic team in 2A last season but, I really felt that their line play was a weakness, and their defense was just plain awful. Belfry really exploited these factors. I personally think that Hoskins isn't the biggest loss from last season, Casey Earls is going to be very hard to replace on both sides of the ball. That kid played with a ton of passion. Adams will be a playmaker wherever he winds up, and Farr has alot of speed at receiver. I see the Jackets winning 6 or 7 games and making a fairly quick exit in the playoffs.

Gerald Epling of Belfry is the epitome of a "Football Player". "G" characterizes playing with heart and plays five times bigger than his stature. I am assuming he was recruited to play DB. He, along with Corey Chapman, were the heart and soul of last season's Belfry team that advanced to the 2A State Semi-Finals. Epling was vital on both sides of the ball. He ran for just short of 1,000 yards and was the Pirate's top pass catcher last season. Defense, though, is where Epling shined. He has a nose for the football and consistently came up with numerous big interceptions, hits, and fumble recoveries while being arguably the best DB on a Pirate defense that ranked statistically as one of the best against pass in the state of Kentucky. -MVP of the 2006 Pike County Bowl victory over 1A State Champion Newport Central Catholic. - WYMT All-Mountain Team Selection - 90 carries, 808 yards, 13 TD, 3 Receiving TD, 4 INT

Totally agree... I also think G Epling is going to be tough to replace. Not only did both of these guys combine for over 2000 all purpose yards on offense, they were Belfry's top pass catchers, very solid DB's, played with a real passion for the game, and were true Senior leaders. When looking at the upcoming Belfry team the two outstanding question marks are "Who is going to be the halfbacks?" and "How will the secondary be after replacing three starters?"... both are directly related with the graduation of Epling and Chapman.

For me I can only go by who I have seen in person. Justin Miller of Owensboro is the fastest football player I have seen. He was a big play threat every posession on both sides of the ball and special teams. No question in my mind he was the fastest. John Logan of LexCath was unbelievably fast as well, but Logan had numerous shortcomings in other categories. Ben Revere has excellent high school speed but he isn't even the fastest in LexCath history, let alone the state. David Jones of Belfry IMO may be the fastest player to ever come from a school East of I-75. Jones officially was timed in the Low 4.4's and also was once Laser timed at a 4.38. To get an idea of his speed look at the AA Championship vs. Owensboro Catholic when Jones who is completely away from the play chases down an O'Cath receiver after being about 25-30 yards behind him when the catch is made. That Bryan Station team that set all the rushing records had a very fast QB, Haskins or Hoskins? Jeremy Britt to me was more QUICK then FAST... he may very well be the quickest back I have ever seen.

Valley lives and dies by the cutting to the basket. A good disciplined defensive team can very easily shut Valley down. Defensively they do a really good job with their 3/4 Court 2-2-1, but if you can break their pressure and avoid backtips they are generally not very good in transitioning to a zone defense.

Coach Campbell is a class act and a fine coach. I had the privelage of being coached by both Campbell and Randy Casey while at Belfry. Campbel really cares about his players and has put Phelps' program back in good shape by doing it the right way.

Pike Central has a very impressive gym. Belfry's new gym is very nice,,, but it isn't the equivalent in basketball as CAM stadium is in football. The Expo Center is an awesome place for games, especially the regional tourney. BUT, from my playing days I still say that my favorite place is Mason County! GREAT atmosphere.

Breakaway speed definately will be Belfry's Achilles' Heel as already stated. Belfry is going to put together a sound backfield and may very well have the best all around player in 3A in Dustin May. To ensure success the Pirate's defense will have to continue to play like it did last season. Big questions to me are: 1. First and Foremost, who will be the backfield? We know May and Lee will probably be in there in a wishbone..but who steps up as the other halfback? 2. Defensive Backfield- The only spot the Pirates are hit by graduation as they lose a pair of 2A's best DB's in Chapman and Epling, as well as Kohari. 3. The Development of Andrew Elkins and his targets- The kid really has potential to become an outstanding QB. He also returns basically every receiving option aside from Epling and Chapman who were HB's. I think that if this kid can really focus on bulking up and Belfry can establish a true SE to throw to they can easily run a Veer Option type of offense like West Virginia University. 4. Expectations of Winning- The Pirates are now two years removed from their state title and the swagger of being a chmapion isn't quite there like it used to be. I think Belfry is a legit top contender for the state title alongside Russell and Louisville Central, but they have to get that swagger back.

I attended the Classic this weekend and here's what i thought: - Excellent venue for basketball and the best bargain in the state seeing 6 games for 7 bucks! -Low crowd turnout.. not enough hype -Would have been better if you took your local teams: ER, Belfry, Pikeville, and took your exotic teams; Glenn NC, Poly CA, Ballard, Central, Clay OH, and set it up as a tournament. - Very impressed with June Buchanon in the first game. -Belfry looked pretty good against Sheldon Clark - ER vs. madison Southern was a snorefest, neither impressed me - Ballard dominated Poly with their defensive intensity. Can't see Ballard as a state title contender, but they have alot of team speed and fill the lanes well. - Wasn't impressed with Pikeville or Clay. - Louisvlle Central looked good against a weaker team. 1. Ballard 2. Poly 3. Central 4. JBS 5. Belfry 6. Pikeville 7. Portsmouth Clay 8. Madison Southern 9. Glenn 10. Sheldon Clark 11. Magoffin County 12. East Ridge

This is not true. The "town" of Belfry has a fire station, a gas station, zero red lights, and that's about it... no newspaper. The closest newspaper for Belfry is in Williamson, WV and they do not have a vote for the KY AP polls... the Appalachian News-Express in Pikeville covers Belfry but there is not newspaper just for that community.

Is there still a Mingo Christian as well or did it go under?

Too bad Johnson Central had such a great season so that they can't send running backs down US 23 to Blackcat Country like before.. I am sure there are some relieved Pburg fans to not have to see "Belfry" on the schedule with that infamous star indicating it is a district game.

I'll let Russell fans do the comparing. Belfry returns 7 starters one ach side of the ball and nearly every key reserve. On offense the Pirates return their leading rusher Dustin May who ran for over 1500 yards, they return their Sophomore QB Elkins, all their receivers, one of two tight ends, and quite a few linemen. Defensively, Belfry should be pretty solid. They return 6 of their front seven including both linebackers who are pretty talented. Among those returning is DT Phillip Hickman who I would venture to guess was probably their top tackler, LB Dustin May, DE Adam Bowens, DE Ivan Lee, D-LIne Will Southerland, LB Charlie Dotson, and CB Ryan Preston/Andrew Elkins (they split time) The Pirate defense was pretty stout this year, and even against Russell they played well enough to win considering the difference in time of posession. Belfry more than likely will remain a wishbone team, moving Ivan lee to FB and May to a HB..but expect a considerable ammount of passing next season. The Pirates also will have the luxury of getting a 100% Corey Coleman to play either in the defensive backfield or on offense. Coleman played most of the year with a cast on his arm and was projected to be one of Belfry's bright young stars. Belfry will be very solid next year, as will Corbin, and that openign week matchup should be special.

1. Trinity 2. CCH 3. Mercer 4. Bowling Green 5. Ryle 6. Russell 7. Danville 8. NCC

Preston will be a starting DB for sure next year, I also assume he will be getting considerable time at SE in an offense that will utilize the ends much more. I think it is imperative that Belfry really focuses on receiver development not only at the TE position but at the SE as well. The number of dropped passes we had was absurd this year, and it came back to haunt us again versuses Russell. I really feel that if Preston and Elkins have the ability to really form a solid QB-Receiver connection if they are willing to put in the effort. It also appeared to me that throughout the season we never looked for the TE across the middle. Bowens will be back at TE and the kid has alot of talent, especially as a pass catcher,,, but our inability to attack the middle of the field against Russell really hindered us. With the ammount of blitzing they sued and the way they brought their safeties into run support we could ahve piked them apart had Belfry chsoe to go that direction. LOTS of potential next year,,, but lots of questions as well.

I am trying to remain out of this conversation, but from ym personal experiences dealing directly with the administration at Mercer County High School I will say that from my undertsanding this is a false statement. I specifically remember dicussing how good the Titan team will be the day that the Herlad-Leader preview had been released, and jokingly mentioning how Belfry was ranked ahead of them. People knew how good they would be, in fact as good of a common interest story as it was, I am willing to bet it is a large reason why the LHL did such an elaborate article on them and dedicated a full page picture. I will also go on record as saying that in no way does this mean that I think it was an entirely planned move by all parties involved... I honestly feel that sports played a part in the decision, to assume it was the driving force is ignorant for anyone to assume. For such a large undertaking as moving a consolidation a year ahead in planning simply based on a sports team's success would be very unwise, and from ym delaing with the MCHS administration and school board, these are not people who would make stupid decisions. They are very professional and genuinely look for the student's best interest. But for ANY poster to deny that sports played somehwat of a role is biased and turning their face.... but... the merger was a very calculated and wise move on levels beyond sports that DID benefit the kids.

It is safe to say that every team playing tonight dressed more players than 4A Henderson County if they only dressed 37. That is pretty amazing.

I agree... Belfry was not flat, they were caught off guard I believe by the different looks, and their momentum quickly was killed by the fumble on the opening posession, but at no point were they flat. Indeed... he is definately the X factor in this year's team. I felt both QB's did everything they could to keep their teams moving the ball despite the excelelnt run defenses. Belfry's Sophomore QB looked brilliant at times, but showed hsi youth at others.

O'Cath never learns I guess... :confused: For the record, Russell will not stack the box. They will use their base 5-2 just like every game this year, but they will throw multiple blitz and stunt packages as well as switching up the personnel.

By the way... on Jone's second TD pass when you watch the replay he got absolutely drilled by Hickman, yet delivered it on the money. That pass is just as impressive as his 3rd TD which was amazing itself. His first down run on the bootleg he also RAN OVER Ivan Lee who is a big ole boy!

Once again I watched the replay..the TD catch by epling you were correct.. but on the first punt I saw no signs of it being a blatant late hit and the ref had made no indication of calling the play dead when the defender made the hit:thumb: HAHA... but seriously I love the kid's moxie and his football mind but as a coach I would much rather have Kasey healthy than take a chance of a 15 yard penalty

All I can say Titans is pack a lunch.... Mercer should definately be the favorite but get ready to be hit, and see a team that is going to play their butts off til the last second ticks off. Mercer fans, what defensive strategy have teams been using lately to try to stop the running game? I know most teams stack the box with 9-10 players against Russell/elfry..has this been the common practice? Did O'Cath stack the box like they did the past two years in the state title game?

I have a question: When Clark was fieldng the punts he twice waited til the last second and dropped to a knee. From a spectator's standpoint he appeared to be fishing for a late hit against Belfry, but neither time he received it and instead took some pretty solid hits. Has he been doing this all season? If I am a Devil fan I am worried that this could cause some serious risks.