5wide

You always hope things will go your way, but realistically, nobody will challenge Central.

I figured turnovers would decide this one. Obviously, I was hoping Belfry would be the team to make the mistakes. The Bobcats got the game tied and then shot themselves in the foot with a muffed punt and a fumble that resulted in 2 Belfry TD's. Congratulations to the Pirates. The good luck continues for the road team in this series.

Collins breaks a lot of tackles. He's tough to bring down. I'd love to see his yards after contact. Trent is no slouch either. Another good analysis. Getting worn down is always a fear against Belfry. That's why it is important for Breathitt to score early and get a lead, IMO.

Pretty good analysis, Watusi. They both know what to expect. Forcing Belfry to pass is always the goal. If they beat you through the air, tip your hat to them I say. Breathitt's shotgun spread has transitioned from primarily a passing offense to more like the system Rich Rodriguez used at West Va. The run is the primary weapon and they like to throw over the top in the passing game, which puts a lot of pressure on the defense. You have to stop the run game, but also be prepared to defend the deep ball. I think this game will be decided by turnovers. I like Breathitt's chances if they take care of the football.

We're pretty familiar with each other. I've got a lot of respect for Belfry and their program. I look forward to the Breathitt-Belfry playoff matchups as much as any due to the history between the two, and the fact that it usually means my team has advanced deep into the season. If we play Belfry, it usually means we've had a good season.

My thoughts on the games, if my memory doesn't fail me... 1989 - Can't remember a whole lot about it. It wasn't a blowout, but Belfry was the better team and they had control in this game. A disappointing end to what was, I believe, Breathitt's first undefeated season. 1999 - This one was a shootout. Belfry had the big kid, Wright I believe, at QB and they opened their offense up. Breathitt had Sperry. I believe he had 573 passing yards, and if I'm not mistaken, something like 7 TD's and 5 or 6 interceptions. This one was a crazy, back and forth game with both teams throwing it all over the field. I seem to recall Sperry throwing a TD pass that was called back due to penalty, then another that was also called back, and then he threw a TD for the third time that finally stood. This one might have been the most entertaining game they've ever played. 2000 - I believe this was the phantom TD catch game where Breathitt won on a horrible call by the official. 2001 - Belfry rallied from a 26-7 deficit in the second half to win this one. 2002 - Worst field I've ever seen. Breathitt got an early score and then completely shut down Belfry's offense to the tune of 61 total yards. Then when Belfry was forced to pass late in the game, the Bobcats tacked on a couple of pick six's. The score was close, but IMO, Breathitt dominated this game on the field. This matchup and the '07 game were the only two times they've met in the playoffs where I would consider one of the two significantly better than the other. 2007 - I seem to recall Breathitt bouncing back from an early deficit to make it a close game with just a minute or so to go in the second quarter and then the wheels fell off. Belfry scored 2 or 3 times in a very short time (a couple of minutes) to essentially put this game away. 2008 - Belfry spent much of the game in Bobcat territory but could not get the ball in the end zone. Conversely, I believe Breathitt scored TD's on the only two possessions that they crossed into Belfry territory. This one was an upset, IMO. It was one of the gutsiest efforts I've ever seen by Breathitt's defense.

Absolutely. Hazard was the closest call, but Somerset, IMO, was every bit as tough if not more. Breathitt shot themselves in the foot with TO's, and Hazard to their credit capitalized, and fell behind 27-13 in the first quarter. Hazard's offense did pretty much nothing from that point with their only score after that coming on a kick return. IMO, Somerset went toe-to-toe with Breathitt but just couldn't finish their drives.

Somerset pushed them. They got the ball deep in Bobcat territory several times but came away empty. And, they held Breathitt to its lowest point total, I believe, with 20.

Past Playoff Meetings 1989 - Belfry 24 Breathitt County 13 (Jackson) 1999 - Breathitt County 47 Belfry 42 (Belfry) 2000 - Breathitt County 28 Belfry 20 (Jackson) 2001 - Belfry 27 Breathitt County 26 (Jackson) 2002 - Breathitt County 21 Belfry 0 (Belfry) 2007 - Belfry 62 Breathitt County 28 (Belfry) 2008 - Breathitt County 14 Belfry 12 (Belfry) Just looking at the playoff games, the road teams have fared alright. Breathitt is 3-1 at Belfry and 1-2 at home.

It was in Jackson. Breathitt got its first ever victory, I believe, against Belfry that year on the road. They won 13-6 on a 90-something yard interception return for TD I think. I believe Belfry won the rematch in Jackson by a score of 24-13. Breathitt had a stout defense that season, but they didn't play as well in the playoffs. They beat Russell pretty bad during the regular season, but just squeaked by them in the playoffs the week before the Belfry game. I don't think the location of the game matters much at all. These teams have won at each other's place on multiple occasions, and they've won big games at other tough venues. Winning breeds confidence and these two programs are used to winning. I believe they are prepared to play anywhere. It will come down to whoever plays better Friday night, because I see this matchup as a toss-up.

If they beat Bell County, it will be interesting. If they advance to the finals, I expect him to rack up a lot of yardage because the games should be a little more competitive than last week against Corbin, so he should have a chance to get 200+ every time out.

I don't think his yardage total against Bell County matters a whole lot. The key is for Central to win. If they do, they won't lose in the semis and I'd bet on him topping 441 in the final two games alone. If Central wins Friday, he'll own the record. Wales had 86 yards on 10 carries in the '08 final vs. Breathitt County. He had 247 on 19 carries last year vs. Belfry. He'll likely face one of those two teams in the final and I'd say he's a pretty good bet for a similar game to last year.

I agree.

Unless Breathitt gets a safety, I guaratee they won't be 17. They won't kick a FG. I agree with Watusi. I think they are very different teams, but evenly matched. If both play well, it should be close. If one or the other makes some mistakes, the margin could go bigger for one or the other. The key for Belfry is to control the ball with their ground game, chew up clock and keep Breathitt's offense off the field. For Breathitt, they need to hit some big plays in the passing game and finish the drives with TD's. If they can strike early and get a big lead, I think it puts a lot of pressure on Belfry's offense. Like Watusi, I'll take my home team.

I think the playoff format should remain as is. My reason is simple. Not all districts are created equal. There have been instances where a third or fourth seed from a really tough district has advanced deep and even won a state championship. I'm not sure if that has happened in the new 6 class alignment, but it has happened. In a format where only the top two make it, they don't get that chance. I suppose the counter argument is that it would make the regular season more important. But, I like it as is, first round blowouts and all.

You'd get no argument from me. Bush was a beast and played nearly every position at some point in his career...and played them all at an exceptional level. I would have loved to see him get a chance to play QB.

It is fact, but not so relevant to this game. I think this Pike Central team is much better than the ones Breathitt has faced in past playoff games.

How exactly did Matney embarass other teams? He played his starters longer than the unwritten code allows? Is that it?

A few of the really good ones that I saw play... Derek Homer Jeremy Britt Channing Fugate Some great backs I saw may not have seemed as dominant because they shared some touches in loaded offenses. Jon Chapman - He was a great high school RB, but Breathitt County's offenses were loaded and threw a lot. So, he didn't get fed the ball as consistently as some others. Howard and Jones from Belfry were both great and were perfect complements to each other. But, how can you go against Alexander? He was a beast in high school, had a great college career at Alabama and then finished with a great pro career. I don't necessarily think he should automatically win because he was more successful after high school, but that has to be a factor when you consider how dominant he was at the high school level.

I'll go with the home team, but I think this could be a very close game. IMO, if you're looking for an upset in this round, this game has the potential. Pike Central comes it at 8-2 with a close loss on the road to Powell County and then the big loss to Belfry. Comparing common opponents (Magoffin County, Sheldon Clark) doesn't offer much insight. Breathitt County beat those teams by a combined score of 107-8. Pike Central, 119-25. The Bobcats better be on their game and better not be looking ahead to Belfry. This is a tough second round matchup for them against a former assistant coach. As noted, Chapman has served a couple of stints as defensive coordinator for Breathitt County, so he is much more familiar with them than a normal opponent would be. However, I don't necessarily view that as a bad thing. I think that is a big source of motivation for Breathitt County that could prevent them from looking ahead to Belfry and keep them focused on the task at hand. I expect a good, competitive football game.

I enjoyed the article in the HL. Also liked the picture of he and Dudley shaking hands. Two of the all-time greats for sure.

I think you have to look at them individually though. Has Highlands or Danville ever had another program that matched their football? Those schools go way back as traditional football powers. Perhaps those particular coaches success on the football field is a reason they were ultimately hired as the AD. I'm not arguing for or against, but I suspect football at Highlands would be the best sport no matter who was AD. I believe there are individuals who would be capable of separating the two responsibilities and do a good job wearing both hats. But, there's no doubt it presents a potential conflict of interest for them and carries some risk if you misjudge the person you hire.

I'm alright. My legs are made of rubber.

Will this thing really shoot spiderwebs?

Does this guy think we're ski jumping?