EKU_05

This may sound bad but I was wanting to beat them by 40+ which Belfry could very easily have done.. 1) To make a statement and build momentum for next week 2) so we could have pulled our starters and not risked injury...

So it happened in Flatwoods too? Belfry could very well have beat Middlebsoro by 40+ the way their offense was clicking tonight. Man next week is going to be an absolute WAR....

Well the cream of the crop is definately emerging... Mercer, Belfry, and Russell with one more spot left... VERY impressive Mercer victory...

Man alive I have never been so frustrated by a huge victory in my life! Belfry was unbelievable on offense tonight when Haywood wanted them to be... Elkins.. 3/3 passing and all of those went for TD's. I hate to say it, but the Middlesboro players didn't lose this game, Coach Roark's defense did. You cannot stack that many people in the box on Belfry, especially this belfry team with Elkins at QB! I am fuming at the conservative approach Belfry took after getting 42-12 lead...our special teams were ATTROCIOUS tonight as well... and to leave the starters in on that last posession was just askign for an injury with all the personal fouls going on! Dustin May had almost 150 rushing yards.... on 35 CARRIES! All in all what a performance by Elkins, May, Corey Chapman, and our secondary! You take away the deflected pass to Farr and the horrible tackling on the bubble screen and we pretty much shut the Mboro passing game down. Earls is a fantastic player! Hats off to some terrific players at Mboro...wish your coach would have given you a better chance at victory!

It is now gameday, therefore I shall predict: BELFRY Middlesboro is going to throw the kitchen sink to stop Belfry's running game, I feel this puts the Pirates at a decisive advantage. From watching Middlesboro over the years the recurring theme I see is stacking the box, playing the safety rediculously close to the LOS, and CB's who turn their back to the ball and play TIGHT man coverage. Belfry is not specifically talented at SE, they are not speed burners in the backfield, but all three of these Belfry backs can hit the hole like a freighttrain and can also carry playfakes on playaction pass. Defensively, the Jackets will pose a ton of challenges for an undersized Pirate defense that has struggled tackling. Belfry will easily be the quickest defense the jackets have seen, and the Pirates will be in position to make plays. The question is will Belfry be proactive or reactive on defense? KEY 1: Execution must be impeccable... less than 20 offensive penalty yards, less than 2 fumbles.Defensively the Pirates have to force at least 2 Jacket turnovers. KEY 2: Chapman and Epling must step up... Middlesboro will be well suited for the FB.. it's going to be the misdirection that will give them trouble. At least 175+ rushing yards between the two. By doing this Belfry can control the Time of Posessio and dictate their tempo. KEY 3: Elkins must complete at least 3-4 passes to force those corners to have to think pass coverage first, run support second, that way it frees up the option. KEY 4: SPECIAL TEAMS!!!!! No kick returns allowed, no punt returns alllowed, and Middlesboro can not start a single posession beyond their own 40. Bottom Line is I think M-boro is about 6 points better than Belfry on a neutral field. Belfry's advantage will come in the trenches as well as the fact that they are more developed to set the game tempo THEIR way... Belfry hits my keys: Belfry 28 Middlesboro 21 Belfry hits 2/4 Keys: Middlesboro 28 Belfry 14

HAHA "black flowers" eh? Before any reply is even made I have a feeling that neither team sent the other black flowers... odds are it came from within the program.

Playoff rivalries usually are directly effected by classifications and changes... expect to see a lot more Russell/Belfry as both move to 3A and will now be in opposite districts, over the next few years I think it will be classified with some of the best. Rivalries that come to mind for me over the years: Pikeville vs. Beechwood Trinity vs. St. X Highlands vs. CovCath Bowling Green vs. Hopkinsville Danville vs. Mayfield

I am referring to Middlesboro having not lost to anyone in Kentucky

That entire Bardstown team was UNBELIEVABLE that year... wow

Certain things, yes, but can you tell me anything that jeepman said thatwould be beneficial or couldn't be easily gathered? Also no matter how many people the info passes through ultimately who would make it part of their strategy? The head coach.. and the point you just made furthe rillustrates my observation,, because then not only would a coach be making strategic moves based on fans opinions.. but it would be second hand information they are receiving. This is a great site where educated fans (and some staff members) can discuss games.. sometime spertinent info may be passed..but 99% of the stuff on here will have ZERO bearing on the actual game. Talk it up, have fun, just use restraint is my opinion. I think jeepman ahs been around long enough to know where the line can be drawn.

Especially considering how we travelled when they hosted us in 2003.... :scared:

Not to mention how many high school football venues actually have tailgaters in Ketucky? HAHA I really would like to see what CAM would look like if it had the crowds from the 2004 Pburg and Russell games. I have never seen that many people at a high school game outside of Cardinal Stadium/Papa Johns in my life! In fact, if the 9000+ attendance figures are correct it was more than quite a few state championship games!

http://www.bluegrasspreps.com/showthread.php?t=70671&highlight=Belfry+Stadium Should take you to an old thread that will show you the visitor seating before Field Turf

Courtesy of Watusi in an earlier thread..overview of stadium

This is the homeside....

You shouldn't have any problems... the visitors side runs between the 35 yard lines and goes up quite a few rows. I would estimate it could hold 750-1000 fans. Bigger than quite a few home bleachers I have seen. If you arrive 15 minutes prior to gametime I am willing to bet you will be able to get a seat on the visitors side. There is literally not a bad seat in the house.. the stadium seats 3500 or so... and capacity would be much more due to all the areas available for standing room.

There are ZERO head coaches in the state of KY that have a team playing at this point in the year that would take the chance of using strategies talked about on here as part of their gameplan. Some posters on here have a very high football knowledge,, but if I was a head coach I SURELY would not put stock into what I hear discussed on this site. Why would Corbn's coaches put stock into a secondhand description of Clark when they will have their own gamefilm to break down and judge for themselves? That being said... certain things posted here have became billboard material in the past, injury reports have leaked that have been important, so it is a necessity to be wary what you type... but I think jeepman is safe on this one.

weather.com is saying to expect Friday evening for temperatures in theupper 30's... slight chance of rain and according to their weather map an outside chance of wintery precipitation. Bundle up Jacket fans and make sure you bring something to sit on cause the metal bleachers get cold. Although, I have a feeling most people will be standing throughout this one. Also, to cover all bases: The trip is estimated to take 3 to 3.5 hours. For those who have never been to the new stadium just take US 119 North beyond the old high school (it is now a Middle school) after a couple miles the new school will be impossible to miss on your right. There is ample parking if you get there early enough, and tailgaters will be out. If Middlesboro chooses to bring a large crowd.. there is plentiful visitor seating,,, but don't expect to find empty seats on the homeside.. there is though a lot f standing room all around the field if it comes to that. If it does rain... umbrellas ARE NOT ALLOWED in the stadium, so plan accordingly with ponchos. If you need places to eat before the game, about .2 miles up the road you will find Arby's, Captain D's, McDonalds, Giovanni's Pizza, The Thoroughbred Steakhouse (which has a pretty good hot bar), and Hardee's... about an additional mile further you can find Subway, Wendy's, Long Johns, Pizza Hut, and Dairy Queen. For tailgating food, additional clothing, blankets, etc... the Wal-Mart is a stone's throw from the stadium as well. If you want to listen to a radio broadcast while at the game, or for a pre-game show... 96.5 FM will be covering the game. For those who have never been to CAM before you are in for a real treat. Not only are the facilities top of the line, but the atmosphere is wonderful, the PA is loud, and the lines at the concession stands and restrooms move quick.

I am somewhat surprised by the disparity of most of these polls. Technically the JC/Rock game is the only one with similar close vote totals.

I don't know if Middlesboro beating Belfry is considered an upset. In every poll except for the Cantrell Ratings the Jackets are rated higher than Belfry coming into this game. Middlesboro also is the only other team aside from Mercer County who is undefeated against KY competition in 2A.

If he is around 1000 yards..and my math is correct from the previous post with the numbers the Jackets have submitted to the KHSAA...then that means that Middlesboro second teamers have rushed for a total of like 100 yards all season?

What's the lowdown on the Yellowjackets line? How good are they up front on both sides of the ball?

Oneijoe, What's your take on the Pirates and their chances? You have seen them twice now this season...

I am sure the private schools are behind this somehow....

I totally agree with you... for the past four years Belfry and Russell have been extremely successful averaging over 300 yards a game with the majority of those teams playing with stacked boxes. The teams I have seen give Belfry the most fits have been teams who line up in a 4-4 or 4-3 schemes and rely on their LB speed to beat lineman speed to get in the gaps. That being said, you better have the personnel to run the proper scheme because once you get to 4 down lineman it amplifies potential mismatches. It's also my belief that the most critical defensive player on your team against Russell or Belfry is the noseguard.