FBALL

No, I'm not kidding. Russell being on the cover or not has nothing to do with. The preview was much larger and more comprehensive in past years. I don't know if it was Mark Maynard leaving the sports department or if the have just cut resources, but the preview is not nearly as good as it used to be.

Nope. I haven't seen them since last year. But although undoubtedly improved, I don't believe that May, Lee and Elkins are that much better than a year ago. Now the offensive line returning intact sure has to help. To sum up they are good but they are not nearly as good as the backfield in 04.

Breathitt played about as well as I think they could last week. Very few mistakes. They will need to reapeat that to have a chance.

Are you moving out of the area soon?

I thought this years preview was pretty weak compared to years past.

Belfry's offense is not the great concern in this game. They are good but not special. May and Lee are good backs not great. The offensive line is excellent. The biggest weapon that Belfry has is their defense and in particular their defensive line. If Breathitt can move the ball consistantly and not turn it over this becomes a very close game. If Belfry's defense dominates and continually gives their offense the ball then Belfry will win going away. As the year has gone on I have noticed that Belfry seems to get alot of big plays out of their special teams as well. I think Breathitts defense will be fine. Can there offense keep them in the game is the biggest question I have.

But they did win the region that included Ashland that year, right? Russell had some very good teams during that 30 year period that you mentioned. Russell was in the regional tournament and even favored to win it in many of those years. It was frustrating but hardly sad.

It is a regional Paper. The Daily Independent. Nowhere is there Ashland in the name. Now back in the 1920's when Ashland was the only big school in the area and dominant it was the Ashland Daily independent. But it is not supposed to be anymore.

Its kind of sad to have live that far in the past. Gee, I Am Tired of it.

It is a no-brainer. You play what got you there. In all honesty I don't think the Belfry offense will cause that much trouble for Breathitt. Yeah I think they will break a couple of long runs but I also think the Bobcats will frustrate them with the pressure. Maybe create a turnover or two. Belfry's offense is not what sets this team apart from the other contenders in 3A. It is the defense that has done that and that is why they will win.

That is what the Breathitt defense did against Russell on friday. Sell out to stop the run. Every one in the box. They did a decent job but Russell was able to move the ball on them without abandoning the game plan. Belfry should be able to as well. As for Breathitts recievers. #4 is etiher very good or just had the game of his life. Had three or for great catches that were deciding factors in the game. The one catch I even stood applauded. He had the best hands I've seen in two years. That includes Madon and Welch. Haven't seen Cole. Russell defended them much in the way you just described. Rush 3 or 4 and drop the others into zones. For the most part they shut down the Breathitt rushing attack and the passing for three and half quarters. Where Belfry should do better is getting pressure with the D line. They are quicker than Russell's and should be able to make Fugate move around a little more. I don't see Breathitt scoring more than 2, maybe 3 TDs against the pirates. I'll stick with my earlier prediction: Belfry 21 Breathitt 13

I think Belfry's offense is a bad matchup for Breathitts defense. Against Russell, Breathitt brought everybody up and used quickness to fill the gaps and get pressure. Russell's wing-t has more fakes and takes longer for the plays to develope. I would have liked to seen Russell in the power I a little more. Belfry willl hit the hole hard and quick. If May and company get past that first wave Breathitt is in trouble.

Ryan Allen was the player of the game IMO. He made some amazing catches to keep drives going and had maybe the defensive play of the game tipping away what would have been a TD from Jones to Bailey in the fourth quarter.

The line play clearly was in Russell's favor. Yards were almost even and neither team came close to their offensive averages. I think the defense gave the offense more trouble for both teams. BREATHIT RUSSELL FIRST DOWNS................... 17 13 Rushing..................... 4 9 Passing..................... 13 4 Penalty..................... 0 0 NET YARDS RUSHING............. 87 201 Rushing Attempts............ 25 38 Average Per Rush............ 3.5 5.3 Yards Gained Rushing........ 94 224 Yards Lost Rushing.......... 7 23 NET YARDS PASSING............. 215 77 Completions-Attempts-Int.... 20-30-0 6-11-1 Average Per Attempt......... 7.2 7.0 Average Per Completion...... 10.8 12.8 TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS........... 302 278 Total offense plays......... 55 49 Average Gain Per Play....... 5.5 5.7 Fumbles: Number-Lost.......... 1-1 2-2 Penalties: Number-Yards....... 3-16 2-10 PUNTS-YARDS................... 1-32 2-69 Average Yards Per Punt...... 32.0 34.5 Net Yards Per Punt.......... 32.0 27.5 Inside 20................... 0 0 50+ Yards................... 0 0 Touchbacks.................. 0 0 Fair catch.................. 0 0 KICKOFFS-YARDS................ 4-177 4-170 Average Yards Per Kickoff... 44.2 42.5 Net Yards Per Kickoff....... 33.8 18.8 Touchbacks.................. 0 0 Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD. 1-14-0 0-0-0 Average Per Return.......... 14.0 0.0 Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 4-95-0 2-42-0 Average Per Return.......... 23.8 21.0 Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD.. 1-0-0 0-0-0 Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD. 0-0-0 0-0-0 Miscellaneous Yards........... 0 0 Possession Time............... 24:06 23:54 1st Quarter................. 7:30 4:30 2nd Quarter................. 5:04 6:56 3rd Quarter................. 4:14 7:46 4th Quarter................. 7:18 4:42 Third-Down Conversions........ 4 of 9 5 of 11 Fourth-Down Conversions....... 1 of 3 1 of 3 Red-Zone Scores-Chances....... 3-5 2-3 Sacks By: Number-Yards........ 2-13 0-0 PAT Kicks..................... 3-2 2-2 Field Goals................... 0-0 1-1

Not really. Russell will be young and inexperienced. It will be a year of growing and learning. Not alot of wins for this young group.

Then, now or in the future doesn't matter. The result would be the same.

Fugate is a good player. Breathitt does have a running game. But most of that Running game depends on spreading the defense out. They do not have the kind of team that is just going to line up and run it at you.

I think there is a little truth to that. That grind it out style of play can wear other teams down but it can also keep them within striking distance. Its really hard to argue with the success though.

Actually they were threw the ball 11 times completing 6. But I agree it was there if they wanted to throw it more. The sprint pass that Jones ran in for the last TD was a play that I would have liked to seen run more. Get him out of the pocket and have that run/pass option. It (the play calling) was very conservative but when you have a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter it is hard to argue with. Breathitt just made the plays down the stretch to win the game.

Russell's defense and especially their pass defense was actually pretty good. Breathitt got alot of those yards late on some tough throws and amazing catches. Russell had two passes that should have been picked off in the 4th quarter that probably would have sealed the game. I think most would agree with me that those are the best defenses that either of these teams has seen this year.

40 yards and in he should make most. Has enough leg to get there from 50. Has been inconsistant at times but was kicking the ball very well in warmups last night.

Breathitt will give Belfry some troubles but Belfry should be able to run the ball straight at them. Breathitt has alot of quickness on defense. They will crowd the line of scrimmage. The potential for the big play is there. Belfry's run game should have a good day against them Offensively Breathitt can give Belfry some problems. If Belfry can get to the QB quickly they pull away. If not it should go right down to the wire. Belfry 21 Breathitt Co 13

Coach McGlone said right after the game that he probably should have kicked the field goal. Dolly has plenty of leg from that distance.

I think this was the difference in the game. # 3 for Breathitt made a few incredible catches and made the diving deflection of a pass that Bailey was going to score on. The Fugate boys were pretty good but #3 should get the game ball. Tyler Jones really played well I thought. I know its tough to play that final game but he should be proud. He was an inforcer on defense. The hit on Fugate in the second quarter. Ouch.