EKU_05

The Massey Ratings predict: Middlesboro 36 Belfry 29

HAHA... it's the Ying and Yang I guess. The video really does give a slight glimpse of just how classy the Russell team, program, and community are. I had an opportunity to work in the Russell area with my old job and can say that I came away with two things: 1.How amazingly nice people are and how much pride they take in their community and each other 2.How similar it is to Belfry in so many levels

Belfry probably has the youngest team remaining in the playoffs starting a ton of sophomores and juniors, this team has yet to peak this year, adn for all intensive purposes may never truly peak. Just remember Belfry is a pair of missed two point conversions from being 12-0and the #1 ranked 2A team coming into the playoffs. That being said, not only does Middlesboro have a shot.. but right now I think Middlesboro will beat Belfry in a really close game.

Very valid points. One thing to consider with Belfry is the fact that due to them being 90% run that also equates to fewer plays in agame because the clock is constantly running. If I were a betting man I would guess that Middlesboro has had at least 25-30% more posessions this year than the Pirates becauise A) they pass more and B) as evident by the stats they have played more passing teams. To dismiss Belfry's passing ability is not a wise thing to do. Watusi hit the nail on the head. As addressed in the Pburg thread what has been a bugaboo for Belfry has not just been dropped passes, but dropped touchdown passes. The best way to think of our passing game is to recall back to the 2003 team which actually threw 2 TD's against M-boro in the 21-0 win. Belfry's passes are calculated risks and typically result in big plays when completed.

That is really, really cool. Although, it definately could have did without the pictures recapping the Interception vs. Belfry in last year's semi's... that almost made me cry HAHA

Yeah, I chose words poorly. You actually illustrated the point I wanted to convey perfectly. Trimble, didn't schedule Beechwoods, Larger schools, etc...but scheduled teams that were first year programs or having the same struggles as themselves and as a result put themselves in position to be successful and it translated in a "turn around" which I am sure you would agree has not only the team more positive, but the entire school, and community.

Why? Middlesboro planning on throwing a pep rally for Corbin before they head over to Pond Creek? HAHA JK:D There is a good chance that the 6 million dollar field may get to host a State Semi.

Now to mix it up a bit..... With the new alignment in place starting next year, the average number of teams per district naturally shrinks allowing for teams across the state to have the option to be more flexible with how they schedule. What trends would you expect to see develop with the new system? Will this result in a greater disparity between your top tier teams and bottom tier teams? Now your better teams will continue to play more challenging games that may not have been available in year's past, whereas the bottom tier teams will be left in the cold to play each other. Could this be a positive for teams like, say, Trimble County? Who has been synonomous for scheduling weaker teams to build their record and confidence...and in the process garner more community support because they are a winning team finally?

According to the polls Middlesboro is the favorite...a clear favorite if you take away the Cantrell Ratings. Without the Cantrell Ratings the average rating goes: Mboro: 3.5 Belfry: 7.5

MIDDLESBORO YELLOWJACKETS (11-1) Points Scored: 495 Points Allowed: 210 Average Score: 41-18 Average Margin of Victory: 23 Points Rushing Yards: 3,308 (276 per game) Rushing Allowed: 1,362 (114 per game) Passing Yards: 1918 (160 per game) Passing Allowed: 1,312 (109 per game) Total Yards: 5226 yards (436 per game!) Total Allowed: 2674 yards (223 per game) RUSHING Casey Earls: 119 carries, 1018 yards, 19 Total TD, 85 ypg, 8.6 ypc CG Ford: 95 carries, 738 yards, 14 Total TD, 62 ypg, 7.8 ypc Brennan Bowling: 99 carries, 694 yards, 11 Rushing TD, 58 ypg, 7.0 ypc PASSING Trevor Hoskins: 106/197, 1918 yds, 19 TD, 7 INT

BELFRY PIRATES (10-2) Points Scored: 438 Points Allowed: 145 Average Score: 37-12, 25 point per game average vicctory margin Rushing Yards: 3,764 (314 per game) Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,168 (98 per game) Passing Yards: 616 (51 per game) Passing Yards Allowed: 718 (60 per game) Total yards: 4380 (365 per game) Total Allowed: 1886 (158 per game) RUSHING Dustin May: 198 carries, 1254 yds, 15 TD, 105 ypg, 6.3 ypc Corey Chapman: 102 carries, 1066 yds, 22 Total TD, 89 ypg, 10.5 ypc G Epling: 77 Carries, 777 yards, 13 Total TD, 65 ypg, 11 ypc PASSING Andrew Elkins: 34/64, 609 yds, 5 TD, 2 INT (10 games) NOTES: - This marks the second straight year that Chapman and May have combined to go over 1000 yards rushing a piece.

For debate purposes: The cumulative rank for both teams (taken from an average of Massey, Cantrell, Lit, BGP, and AP Polls) Middlesboro- 4, 7, 3, 4, 3 = 4.2 Belfry- 9, 2, 7, 7, 7= 6.4 Stats breakdown next...

The Pike County Bowl's two headliner games still has 3 of the 4 teams playing: 1A: NewCath 2A: Belfry 4A: Henry Clay Pkeville's upset loss to Hazard is the only headliner to fall.

After watching a couple different threads it brought up a question in my mind. Highlands fans have wondered if, maybe, playing such a difficult schedule as they did set them up for failure. Yet, on the flip side NewCath played a Murder's Row for a 1A school and suffered a lot of setbacks but have responded to avenge two of their previous losses and play their best football. What is everyone's take on scheduling overly difficult on the high school level? Do you feel that on this level confidence plays too much of a role and losing those games becomes too hard to overcome? Does the difference in class make an impact? I have personally been under the belief that in a typical season you want 60/20/20... where 20% are games you should be the udnerdog, 20% are games you should be the clear favorite, and 60% could go either way when you initially schedule.

Belfry? LOL I am not a JC fan.. just have been following the threads and got a kick out of the numerous PA complaints from Ashland both times they played. If something external like music can effect the outcome..then the team losing has other things they need to correct to be lasting this deep in the playoffs. I am sure it actually didn't affect the Tomcats and it definately won't hurt the Rock.

I have no tie-ins to any Louisville school or LexCath and was at the game and St. X could have very easily won by 70. I am sure that over the course of the year the improvement curve for LexCath has been substantially greater than St. X... but if they played again I would still take X by at least 4-5 TD's.

I wanna see this group of kids put a chip on their shoulder that Belfry can win a state title without having arguably the two best running backs to ever play in 2A on the same team. There has been times this year that our wishbone execution has been nearly flawless.. between Elkins' playfakes (I have never been fooled as many times watching Belfry as this year), May's ability to be the rare playmaker at fullback, and the speed at which Epling and Chapman hit the holes.. there have been instances where they looked better than the 2003/2004 team because they don't have that shear talent. I was talking to my father at the Pburg game and agreed that we may NEVER see a tandem of halfbacks as dominant and diverse as Doug and Dave, they were the true epitome of Thunder n' Lightning and had the perfect fullback to lead block in Childers. But... for the first time in along time Belfry posesses a truly balanced 4-part backfield (QB, FB, HB, HB) and also posess the ability to pass the ball efficiently., the only difference is where in the past we could rely on Doug and Dave to make plays with shear athleticism,, these guys have to make plays as a joint effort. Bottom line... this is a HUGE game for Belfry and I hope the placid fans realize it and Cram the CAM!

:thumb: .. I'll save those thoughts for another thread sometime... but for now Hazard should be allowed to enjoy the spoils of the labor.

n/m

Rock fans... what's your take on PA announcers and speakers? This could be the difference in the gane because it sure appeared to be how JC controlled Ashland? HAHA JK

It may have been the thread "Tony Franklin System and Self Help Series" posted on BGP?!?!?

Are these kids having to sit out the additional year upon transferring? It is odd when starting skill players transfer...

You are all over this one! If there is anyplace where Belfry ahs the potential to take control it is up front. I feel fairly confident our offensive line will be able to get the edge against M-boro..but the D-line is the real variable. The quickness of our front seven will definately surprise M-boro IMO..but that doesn't mean a hill of beans if they don't execute and make plays.

Keep in Mind that Belfry has to play one more district foe than Middlesboro. NONDISTRICT SCHEDULE Belfry-1A Newport Central Catholic,3A Ashland Blazer, 1A Pikeville, 3A Lawrence County Mboro-4A Knoxville Central, 1A Harlan, 2A Corbin,1A Lynn Camp, 1A Pineville, 1A Lee County Each team had two other solid district opponents... Belfry had Pburg/SC.. Mboro had Breathitt/Leslie.. I see those as being a wash. I will concede that Knoxville Central was the best non-district team either school faced. But after that you can't compare Mboro's schedule to Belfry's... and the one top quality team that they faced in Knoxville Central took them to the woodshed. Corbin is the only other quality team and they finished the year with 5 losses and are only still alive in the playoffs IMO due to their district being the weakest in the state. NEWCATH is also still alive in the playoffs and a serious title contender in 1A.

Belfry's came against Sheldon Clark when they blew a 29-7 lead in the 2nd half.