EKU_05

Bryan Station from the days of Eric Shelton...tonight they passed the 2004 Belfry team for the 2A Rushing record.

Since a JC/CCH thread can't stay open and this is really a pressing matter that alot of people are concerned with. For thsoe that don't know Grimm was carted off the field with 16 seconds remainign after rushng for over 200 yards with a head/neck injury that could be serious... my prayers go out to him and his family.. If anyone has updates please post

As an overview, we are returning about 7-8 starters on each side of the ball. Included in that is a 1500 yard rusher in May, a VERY talented young QB in Elkins, and 6 of the front 7 on defense including Phillip Hickman who is an absolute machine. The big question mark is going to be our O-line, Safety, and who will be the #2 Halfback. The defense has the potential to be NASTY next year... Elkins needs to put on 15-25 pounds and improve his upper body strength, he also needs to be hitting QB camps because he has the potential to be the best option QB we have had in a long time

I just watched the replay on tv and you are correct.. he made a phenominal catch but never got his feet down as the Russell player knocked him out of bounds. After watching the replay I am even more impressed with Willis of Russell! Belfry fumbled the ball 6 or 7 times..though they only lost two... each one was pivotal. Brian Milam on WYMT hit the nail on the head when he said that the game was decided on first down all night for Belfry... the Devils consistently forced 2nd and long and disrupted Belfry's gameflow. Russell, you had wonderful crowd support tonight. The Belfry fans never really got into the game it seemed due to the Russell performance on the field and that helped play omehwat of a role I feel. It seemed Belfry mentally destrcted after 13-0 in the 4th. The Pirates will positively stacked next season with potential, and with the grduation of those 24 Seniors of Russell's could possibly be the region favorite. We have anywhere from 7-8 starters returning on both sides of the ball, including a 1500 yard rusher, a solid young QB, and the entire front seven on defense aside from Burton at DT

Played his butt off! Him and Phillip Hickman were arguably the two best Pirate eprformers of the night.

I just want to say that Phillip Hickman and Bobby Burton played their tail ends off tonight on defense! It has been a pleasure watchign bobby play with his passion and his motor... For my money next season I wouldn't have any other defensive lineman than Hickman (#8)... It will definately be interesting to see who becomes Belfry's other halfback to join Lee and May in the backfield next season... I am also excited to see the difference the off-season will make on Andrew Elkins the QB, the kid ahs the potential to be really good with the right attention in the weight room and the the right quarterback camps. For Russell, IMO the two players who really stepped up tonight and was the Co- MVP's were the QB Jones who made numerous big plays, even with pirates in his face, and the LB Willis #56.... that kid single handidly shut down Belfry's inside running with the halfbacks! Clark may have only gained 25 yards or so rushing, but he proved a valuable commodity catching key pass after key pass as well as making huge plays in run support on defense.

Russell doesn't have track stars,, but they definately have speed all over the field. Russell has an EXCELLENT RUN DEFENSE!

Tip of my hat to Russell... in my opinion these were two even teams but Russell had the better gameplan, executed better, capitalized on Belfry miscues, and definately made the big play. Tonight Russell was the best team and they earned the victory, no excuses! Man, Belfry's defense was amazing tonight. They constantly put Belfry in position to win the game and they shut down the Russell ground game. They got exactlly what they wanted and that was the fact that Russell consistantly had 3rd and long and was forced to pass to move the ball. But, for as good as Belfry was on defense Russell was even better. This is the first time I have seen Belfry's running game get completely shut down in a long time. The Devil's tackled great and made the huge stops on 3rd down when needed. This game really was definaed by about 4 plays that made the difference IMO. 1. (And don't take this as an excuse) The first was the missed offsides call that directly resulted in a Belfry turnover and subsequently the blown coverage two plays later that ended up with the TD pass. 2. The Russell drive and pass to Frasure on the first posession of the second half, the Devil QB got drilled and threw it perfect! 3. The dropped pass by Young on the ensuing Pirate posession on 2nd down, then on 3rd down the excellent interception by #38 to negate the scoring drive. 4. Without a doubt the play of the game,,, in the 4th quarter with 3rd down the Pirates had an apparent sack and Jones took the hit, escaped and threw a perfect pass for the TD. That play was the portrait of the game and Russell's determination to win. 5. The Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on 3rd and 4 when Epling may have caught a TD.. as a result it went from best case scenario a touchdown, then from 4th and 4,, all the way to 4th and 19. If anyone was going to beat belfry I am glad it is such a first class program as Russell!

That's why they are the Devils!:fire: :scared: One would have to wonder just how much better those three schools listed would be if they had 900 students!

The last time Ironton came to CAM the visiting bleachers were only about half full... if they still have their website with pics you should be able to get an idea.

http://www.news-expressky.com/articles/2006/11/24/sports/01pirates.txt News-Express article matching the two teams up.... http://www.news-expressky.com/articles/2006/11/24/sports/02rick.txt An EXCELLENT piece from Rick Bentley... article even has me fired up and ready to play!

:scared: And people here in kentucky complain about 6 classes watering down the state title..it seems up there a state championship is the equivalent of a college bowl game, you get 6 wins and you're in HAHA

They are estimated to hold 750-1000....

Watch that cart getting in front of the horses...

If Somerset had a better/ more proven rushing attack they would have a very good chance against NCC... but they don't. Secondly, Somerset's defense has not seen an offense on the same level of NCC"s for balance in a long time... no mountain 1A team can prepare you for NCC. I see Somerset putting up more points and yards than the NCC faithful would be comfortable with, but I can't see Somerset dictating the game tempo. NCC 35 Somerset 20

Bell County and Highalnds had soem Thanksgiving drama before.... Sidenote: I watched the game this morning, and for these schools to eb as large as they were, and for Phillipsurg to be a defending state champion about to play for another... I really wasn't impressed with either team compared to some 4A teams from Kentucky.

I mentioned this earlier in the year in the first meeting with Ashland and feel that it may be appropriate here... with all the meaning this game has for the JC program my biggest fear for JC is that, like other mAtney teams, they are too emotionally charged. The best thing that could ever happen to JC is the fact that this game fell on Thanksgiving weekend because with all the hype and festivities goig on in Johnson County it would be really easy for the Eagles to become too emotional. That being said, I honestly think that CCH is 2-3 TD better than JC.. but... I feel this will be a JC team who is going to be super prepared, with a definitive homefield advantage, and a sense of wanting that will help them close the gap. CCH should win this game, but if JC can force turnovers and mental errors and play flawless they CAN advance to Louisville and instantly put their program on another level.

I haven't seen them play in person.. that's why I asked the question. I was never implying they can't block..just simply asking.

Subsititute Belfry with Russell in this statement and it is still true... Guys I can't make a prediction on this one because it is too evenly matched and honestly I feel that the game will be decided based on intangibles, turnovers, and execution. We as fans have no way to evaluate these quantities.... What's ironic is every strength each team ahs can also function as a strength for the opposition: Russell has the Senior leadership advantage... but Belfry STILL hasn't peaked this season and IMO will not peak because they are such a young team. Russell is the defending champs, but Belfry feels that they should be going for a 4 peat. Russell has a big, strong offensive line bigger than anyone Belfry has seen... but Belfry has a very quick D-line that will give Russell fits. Belfry has a very balanced, power running game... but Russell's skill set and team amekup is designed perfectly for run defense.

When talking about radio personalities I don't think they should be cheerleaders... but when addressing PA men I prefer (even when travelling) for the PA guy to be a homer.... it's part of the perk of homefield advantage. There is a huge difference in being biased and being blind though. Belfry's PA man Steve Phillips, who has won a couple awards as the best PA guy in the state, will pump up the homecrowd, coinc catch phrases, andencourage Belfry participation,,,, but you will never hear him cross the professionalism barrier, question the officials or their calls, attempt to provoke an illicit response from the other team, or publicly disrespect the visitor. He is very smooth, he is articulate, and he is on top of every play without moments of silence when you are wondering "who carried the ball?" or "who made the stop?"

Please don't take this the wrong way or think I am trying to start up the whole dead horse debate..it is simply curiosity on my part. Of the Seven mercer players who made the all-area team how many played at Harrodsburg last season? Ford- Hburg Jackson- Hburg Patton- Hburg Blackburn-? Buster- ? Edwards- Hburg Lewis- ?

Ford and Jackson both came from H-burg, Walker has always been at Mercer. I have no doubt that Mercer is loaded with speed in the backfield, but what really matters is team speed. For example.. Belfry has noone near a 4.5 that starts this season but they are one of the quickest teams in the state across the board. Just ask Middlesboro who I am fairly certain was on the whole was comparable in skill position speed to Mercer. It's also a question to me as to how the backs are able to block? Walker, Ford, and Jackson are true halfbacks... and not the biggest of backs at that.. whereas Belfry and Russell have established fullbacks to lead block. Mercer fans... is mercer's runnign game catered to primarily attack the outside and corners, or is it more of a true pwoer running game liek Belfry who in their win against Middlesboro ran ZERO runing plays outside of the tackles.

I don't follow you...the play by play man on the radio is not very biased, the color man is very excitable just as a color man should be. The PA man for the stadium is Steve Phillips... he is a retired Belfry educator. Bobby Norman and Joe Kinzer are the radio personalities.

For any Russell fans making the trip: - First of all I am going to go ahead and extend a warm welcome to CAM! The weather looks absolutely perfect for Friday night! Just to reinterate... in my personal opinion it is far faster to come down the West Virginia side..I personally always preferred flying down US 23 til Louisa then crossing over to WV... please beware in Kermit and Crum as people get speeding tickets there frequently. After you cross into Kentucky for the final time on US 119 you will have eating options all the wat to CAM. On your left will be a Long Johns, Wendy's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen..... at the intersection with Wal-Mart (when you frst will see the stadium) you can make a right at the light with Hardee's and on Mall Hill will find Arby's, Captain D's, McDonald's, Throughbred Steakhouse, and Giovanni's pizza. -There will be no such thing this week as "being too early" Taigating is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 in the main parking lot, with WXCC 96.5 fm doing live remote broadcasts starting at this time. It should be a very festive environment. - You WILL have ample seating of your own... our visitor side seats 750-1000 people and last week Middlesboro did not fill it up even with a pep band... for the late arrivers there are plenty of spots for standing room. -The past few weeks we have not operated a secondary visitor concession stand so I will not promise that it will be there as well... but the main concession stand moves VERY quickly... even at halftime. The restrooms are very nice and heated.... - Parking will be a non-issue aside from those arriving around 7pm.... there are two main lots (one behind the stadium, one in front of the gym) with about 3 or 4 sub-lots. The stadium has both an East and West entrance/exit... the West access is at the red light... the East access does not have a turn light and is right next to the BP Car Wash. There is no parking charge. IF you are one of the late arrivers then expect a capacity crowd.. thus you will more than likely need to park alongside US 119 and walk.. unlike at Vipperman don't expect to walk over a mile HAHA..this will be less than half a mile at most! - The primary radio station to cover Belfry is 96.5 WXCC who as previously mentioned will broadcast starting at 5:30...with their kickoff show starting at 6:45. The commentators are pretty good and energetic, Bobby Norman does an excellent job of keeping his bias withheld, Kinzer is the color man... both paint a pretty good picture of the game and will give credit to both teams. Alternative station would be 93.1 out of Pikeville, and possibly 106.7 out of Matewan, WV (Don't quote me). -There are 3 entry points to CAM Stadium.. one on each side of the home bleachers, as well as another on the approach of the West entrance which is the most accesible for those parking in the gym lot. -Admission is $5 per person - CAM utilizes two playclocks, one on each side... there is one primary scoreboard on the hillside of the east Endzone.

Well with the new re-alignment it makes me happy as a Belfry fan to see that we will continue to see potential matchups with Russell Thanksgiving week... sort of tradition starting to form it appears.