EKU_05

Just like ESPN... buy or sell the team as a contender to reach the state semi's. #2 Western (6-0) #5 Breathitt County (5-1), Loss to #2 2A Western #7 Caldwell County (5-1), Loss to #4 1A Mayfield

Just like ESPN... do you buy or sell these teams as contenders to reach the state semi's? #5 Covington Holy Cross (6-1), Loss to 4A Simon Kenton #9 Harlan (5-1), Loss to #5 2A Breathitt County #10 Bethlehem (6-0)

Lynn "I don't care if we are 4-6" Ray and his CovCath Colonels wouldn't care I'm sure HAHA Seriously, I wouldn't mind seeing Trinity or X take on the challenge.

And a name to throw in the mix in general is Belfry QB Andrew Elkins.... this kid runs the wishbone beautifully, good speed, tough kid, and carries out playfakes that confuse everyone in the stadium (fans, announcers, coaches, other players).. he also throws a really pretty and accurate ball (@ Belfry, a rarity). Give him time to develop physically (has the frame just not the mass) and he will be a special player by late next season.

For my money: 1. Finch- ST X (all around great back, would be feature back if not for fact Vic is there) 2. Harmon- Pikeville ( MONSTER!!!!!!) 3. Macon- Danville (Freakishly good athlete and size) 4. Lewis- Clay Co (Will set some records) 5. Phillips- Trinity (Solid back... has intangibles)

HAHA 27 Seniors certainly help alot! Still,, even though Belfry wasn't Senior laden last year, they were the two time defending champs and still came out completely flat once they finally found a team just as good if not better than them.... I certainly hope Russell's injured players can recover and that noone else gets hurt as well.... sure am looking forward to the Devils packing the new facility at Belfry around Thanksgiving!

Last year Russell had an at least semi-competitive Fleming County and a decent Morgan County...they also played a decent Mercer County..and a very solid Newport in the playoffs...this year their district is completely barren and with the new playoff structure they will play those same teams in the first two rounds. Bottom line is Russell will go without any true test from the Ashland game until Round 3 of the playoffs this year. That has to be cause for concern.

I am thinking I misinterpreted this...but I don't see any back gaining 300+ yards in the playoffs against Belfry, let alone Russell scoring 48 points.:eek: On a side note I really hope that Russell's schedule doesn't do to them what Belfry's did last year. The Pirates virtually went untested aside from Ironton, OH and come playoffs I felt it really became a hinderence after cakewalking through the playoffs until they played Russell. The end result was the uncharacteristic first half Belfry had (alot had to do with Russell being an excellent team). Do you guys see this easy district as posing trouble for the Devils down the road?

In essence.... but at least Mercer has beat some schools with synonomous names... well sort of. LCA- 1A semi-finalist...but.... season opener with brand new offensive style and personnel South Laurel- Big school, high expectations...but.....horribly disappointing Boyle County- Perennial powerhouse.....but.... WORLD OF TROUBLES THIS YEAR Newport- Perennial bugaboo for Mercer...but.... track record this season of having an inept offense Western on the other hand have beat up on homely low classification Lousivlle schools and a Breathitt team that has been untested aside from the blowout to Western. In both cases a true read on these teams won't come until the afforementioned collision course

Agreed.... as stated in the Lit Rating thread my top 4 would consist of: 1.Mercer 2.Russell 3.Belfry 4.Western

HAHA,, no offense but if I had to give a definitive example of what keeping in check meant then you would have just described it perfectly... :made them adjust", "had to grind it out", "finally sustain drives". :thumb: Kudos to Mercer though on showing some grit and proving that they could still put a team away in a fairly tight game.

True..and proof in point why I am a strong supporter of the Massey Ratings which takes such games as "least likely results" into the equation. Speaking of which, have the Massey Ratings been updated recently?

Louisville Western and Lou. Central are two very similar teams.... tons of speed and athleticism but very little football discipline and defensive consistency. Western has a pair of stud running backs and Justin Collins is arguably the fastest running back in the state. The ONLY signature win Western has was against Breathitt County who themselves have subsequently beat no really solid teams thusfar. Western to me is the highest ranked mystery in the state. From the athletic standpoint across the board they are probably the most gifted team in the state,,,, but,,, as with the Lou. Central teams of the past against a very sound fundmental team (think Belfry/Russell) they can be exploited with assignment football and frustrated with systematic plays. Simply put, you contain their two backs and play physical,,, then you defeat Western. IMO, Western is primed and ready to be upset once out of the district aspect of the playoffs. The biggest question that remains to me though lies in how physical Mercer County is. Newport kept the Titans in check and the Wildcats are nowhere near the same level as Russell, Belfry, Sheldon Clark, and Corbinin physicality.

This game will be like following a tractor trailor across the country...there's bound to be a blowout! SC 34 Valley 7

By the way, I feel that if Belfry doesn't take this game serious then there are some major flaws in thinking because this is a pivotal game for the Pirates on multiple levels. 1. A win for Pburg and they are district champs,,, Belfry has to win to clinch a share of the district title and the opportunity to win outright versuses SC next week. With that being said, why should Belfry be looking forward to SC... as of right now Pburg is the team in the district driver seat. 2. This is Belfry's measuring stick for where they stand in the flow of 2A football. The Blackcats are (and Pburg fans don't be offended, just callling it as I see it) a mid-level 2A team (ie. 10-15 in state). The Pirates need to be at least 2-3 TD better with the advantage of playing at home than the Blackcats to secure their status as one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the state right now. If not, then it is safe to say we have alot of improvement left to do in an increasingly smaller window. 3. This game will also show if we have had marked improvement in our defense since the Pikeville game. If our run defense doesn't show a marked progression then we will be in a world of hurt against Middlesboro and Breathitt, let alone Russell or Mercer. 4. The upcoming game should also be an excellent opportunity to continue to see the development of Elkins as a QB. I fully expect the Blackcats to be teeing off on him every play much like the Pikeville matchup, and we all know the history the Cats have for some "controversial" plays (ie late hits, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc). If Elkins can retain his composure and make the big plays then it will speak volumes for the role this kid could end up playing by season's end. So with that being said my 3 keys to the game on both sides: BELFRY 1. FUMBLITIS?- The one ultimate factor that will allow the Blackcats to have a chance at winning, as was with Pikeville, is the fumble. Not only the fumbles lost, but the fumbles that stall drives and momentum. Belfry has to become consistent in protecting the football. 2 FUMBLES OR LESS! 2. ELKINS- The X factor in this game. His ability to carry fakes, run the option, protect the football, and keep the defense honest with an occasional pass is pivotal. NO FUMBLES AND AT LEAST 3 COMPLETIONS. 3. DEFENSIVE LINE- The Pirates MUST dominate the trenches againsta very physical Blackcat team..in particular they definately have to dominate on the defensive side and force the Blackcats to be a one dimensional team. LESS THAN 150 YARDS RUSHING. PBURG 1. BIG PLAY- The 6 straight Pirate victories can be broken down and directly correlated to around 15 total plays that made the difference in the game. Belfry has big play potential, but not as prevalent as in year's past. 1 OR LESS PLAYS OF 25+ YARDDS FOR BELFRY, AT LEAST 3+ FOR PBURG. 2. BE OFFENSIVE- The Blackcats must exploit Belfry's inconsistencies on defense and their perrenial mediocrity in pass coverage. Belfry's strong point is clearly their quickness, fundamental soundness in assignments, and their ability to make the big play in clutch situations... their weakness is blaringly their tackling. Thus Pburg's running game HAS to be established. PBURG AT LEAST 175+ RUSHING AND AT LEAST 250+ TOTAL YARDS. 3. SPECIAL TEAMS- Derrossett's teams in the past have notoriously been hot and cold in special teams. Some years the kicking game is solid and the return game is phenomenal, some years Derrossett never attempts a PAT and Blackcat fans hold thier breath on kickoffs and returns. Belfry can be returned on... Pike Central proved it. PBURG AT LEAST AN AVERAGE FIELD POSITION PAST THE 35 YARD LINE, NO MISSED CONVERSIONS.

Belfry #6, Russell #7, in 2A and behind Breathitt, Middlesboro, and Larue County..... IMO these are the top two teams in the class this year along with Mercer County and there is a huge dropoff to the second tier which is headed up by Western. Ashland Blazer also is alot better than the #20 team in AAA.

All I know is that if either Corbin or M-boro have any aspirations of a state title then there better be a ton of defensive improvement because a track meet will not work against your top tier teams.

This game will be much closer than what people think. The common opposition which can be compared is from the season's start and before Pburg's best ball. I honestly the feel the Blackcats are improving much quicker than Belfry at this point in the season. But, with that being said it is important to consider that Belfry was at least 5 TD's better than the Blackcats last season, and at season's start I feel the Pirates were at least 5 TD's better as well. The fact that it is a rivalry is good enough to bring the score closer as well. Deeper thoughts to come, but for now: Pirates 28 Blackcats 14

I echo the sentiments of Watusi.... his program, his standards, and his actions are a complete and utter scar on the face of high school coaching. Allowing this kid to run up the score on Burch pales in comparison to the ethical manifestations that Kinder represents. He deserves no place in coaching, especially around minors.

Is the West just really down this year or does Caldwell actually have a legit chance to dethrone the Belfry's, Russell's, and the reast of the East?

to answer my own question... HALFTIME Belfry 42 Pike Central 12

score anyone?

Trinity, Hopkinsville/Christian County, Belfry, Highlands, Letcher Central, Shelby Valley, Russell, Bell County, Danville, Boyle County, Male, Henry Clay etc My personal picks: 1. Trinity 2. Stadium of Champions, Hopkinsville 3. CAM Stadium, Belfry

Wow...one can forget how solid the Blackcats have been in 2A football for a long period of time until they look at those stats.

Sidenote: This whole Mercer debate is getting really old. Programs and fans from Belfry and Russell have NO reason to carry on this controversy. When you compare track records, especially in the pat 5 years, there is no comparison in programs. The entire thing is coming off as whining to me from programs that of all schools should simply be telling the Titans to strap it up, bring it, and prove their talk. As for mercer fans..... stop clamoring how your fifth string running back would start on any 2A team...as far as I am concerned when comparing backs within the class, until Ford and Jackson can prove they can progress the Titans to the state semi-finals they can't even top my list of 2A backs compared to Kasey Clark (Russell, 1500+ yds last season, state title ring), Dustin May (Belfry, 1200+ yards last season, 2 state title rings), and Corey Chapman (Belfry, 1000+ yards last season, 2 state title rings). Lets cut this merger talk and focus on X's and O's... how to beat Mercer,,,, and how Mercer can prove they are on tier with the 2A teams who have dominated the class the past few seasons.