TomLandry

I swear! Coach called a dive!!!

I think he must, since it was on first down. State record is 58 yards. Nine yards would have secured the kick. It was first down. I don't believe they have ever attempted one that far even in scrimmage with a snap and hold. Merrick has made one from 71 with a tee and holder....also a breeze. There was no win on Log Mountain. Hopefully he will get other chances before it gets too cold to hit that distance.

Bell's defense was stifling!Bell was up 44-0 in first quarter! Don't know the stats. Bell did everything could to keep down the score. Played a lot of young players. Had to leave some defenders, etc. in a little longer since layoff last week and Sheldon Clark coming next week. Needed to try to get in a rhythm. Also Bell even went for a field goal with Merrick on first down in first half. Hilton got confused and sent him in for 67 yd. attempt.....to break the state record...it was just short...and would have been second longest in national high school history!

The recent Massey ratings (same Carson Newman prof who's formula is used for BCS rankings) has Belfry's strength of schedule at 167 and Bell's at 84! Everyone is always trying to say that Bell doesn't play anyone...but in spite of scheduling problems they still have a fairly strong schedule.

Right, long...two and half hour trip on...adverse circumstances on luxury charter buses! LOL!:banana:

I am curious as to which games you saw them play, and how many of each.

What poll? AP dated Sept. 29 still has Bell #1 in 4-A and Boyle Co. #2. What is your source. Please provide a link.

Now, I understand why Dad held me back for five years in eighth grade!! Oops...sorry we don't do that in the mountains!! LOL!!!

Coach Elam has been great for the kids and the program. The reorganization of HC certainly hurt their chances. Pineville is nearly the smallest 1-a school that still has football. Numbers are everything. When you have micro-talent pool....and the draw of a Bell Co. taking from that....it is hard to be competitive, when you lose key talent to injury. Pineville better be glad they have Bart Elam. I don't think they will be able to keep him if this kind of talk starts up. If I were him I would leave in a heartbeat. He cares about the kids and is dedicated to winning. Seems KHSAA rules don't allow the coach to carry or throw the ball in a game unless its behind the lines!!

Coach Elam has done a remarkable job with kids who didn't even want to practice and were used to getting by with being slackers. He has instilled a work ethic and has purchased weight equipment.....moving toward the future. Their entire offense changed drastically when their only weapon...their running back...Cody ?...went out with ACL for the year in first game. Coach Elam is a good coach and it is amazing what he is getting out of the kids he has. From what I understand the officiating was terrible...Pineville had a punt return for touchdown flagged way behind play and called back. Twice Pineville recovered fumbles that were given to Harlan. Obviously they were determined not to lose in their house.

I know....not the KICKER!! But All-State kicker and D-1 recruit Monte Merrick [6'2" 180 lbs. Sr.] from Bell County had a great night! He was 8-8 on kickoff touchbacks out of the endzone...starting Rockcastle on the 20 yd. line all night long. He was 2-2 on Field Goals of 37 and 41 yds. His only punt of the game was 47 yds. and inside the five yard line. Add to that his normal PAT's and the effort earned him the Offensive MVP trophy for the UNITE Bowl at Rockcastle Friday night. AAHHH!! The Kicker!!

Thanks for sharing this, Three Wishes. You do good work, and have the respect of all the Bobcat faithful. Look forward to the trip to Mt. Vernon for a classic matchup this Friday night.

Look forward to comin' up this week. Hope that Bell can do something they have failed to do for a while....Beat the Rock at home! As for "Taters"....former Bobcat QB Kyle Nelson's mom was the "Tater-Lady".....not sure if they are going to have them this year??? AAAHH!!

Three Wishes....Dudley plays Knox differently than most teams each of the last three years.....22 pts....22pts. and 21 points. Someone said they could not understand that they scored so few. This game always is played hard and in the trenches. I think one reason is that Bell runs a real conservative game plan against Knox.....mainly because Dudley knows Rock is scouting this game. He is not going to show a lot of his offense....until the Rock game every year. I think it shows his respect for the Rock program....primarily for Larkey...in years past, but still respects the Rock nonetheless. What do you think?

Merrick had an easy chip shot field goal. However, you have not...nor did you see last night, Dudley kicking the three at the end of the game and running up the score. They ran out the clock and protected the ball. End of game...end of story.

Bell never could get in a rhythm on offense. I don't believe I have ever seen a more disjuncted game when it came to penalties. The officiating crew was constantly in huddles, changing calls, picking up flags....and calling more penalties than I have ever seen in any high school game....EVER! Cannot wait to see the totals. Most were against Bell in first half...and seemed to go against Knox Central in second half. Sure made for long game....and when two primarily running teams take this long to play a game...GOOD GRIEF!! Let'm play football. Seemed like we were watching a flag football contest some of the time! Bell's special teams play seemed to play a key role. Merrick has 46 yd. punting average on two punts; successful onside kick; three touch backs and a long fake punt for a near touchdown that set up a key score.

#10 makes a great save and return over the net as "Full-Contact Volleyball" comes to Kentucky!

The Bobcats are on a mission. Each week helps them get better and working their way to the District Championship, Regional Championship....and ultimately a rematch with Lexington Catholic. One game at a time....Dudley will have his team ready. Lot's of young defenders that will be getting better every week. Bell's offense will be too much for Knox. Zachary brings a lot of versatility and makes it even harder to defend the run and Greer. Special teams play of Bell will give them a huge edge. Merrick is an offensive weapon...but also a defensive one.....Knox should start out in poor field position....after touchbacks on 20 nearly every time. Bell 41 Knox Central 6

Bell County's All-state Running Back Spencer Greer had another great game. Against a tough Whitley County line that had soundly shut down Middlesboro in week one, Greer racks up 172 yards on 18 carries and four touchdowns. A Greer highlight was when Bell County's other All-state player, kicker Monte Merrick dropped back to punt for first time this year......and was a fake with Greer taking the direct snap and running nearly fifty yards, out on five...and then punched in for TD.

Yeah, it was Al Merrick. Talked to his brother, Monte, that kicks for us. It seems he had a dislocated shoulder on a failed punt attempt. Went to hospital ER after game. Is in sling and out for a while. Don't know what happened. Evidently it was a pileup or something.

Bell varsity scored on every possession, I believe, but one. That was when Greer fumbled in the red zone going in for score. No punts. No FG attempts. Game score would have been higher, but Garrard Co. did a good job of eating up the clock in first half. Bell offense did not touch ball until 8 minutes into second qtr.! Bell JV was responsible for the only Garrard Co. score. Varsity defense had made a great stand to stop Garrard on fourth down. JV came in. Next play was fumble and recovered by GC in the endzone. JV drove down for the final score.

He is still sporting a cast on his right wrist. Will have to play catch up....but should be returning soon.

Now THAT'S a State Record if I ever saw one!!!:dancingpa

Didn't he have a 60 yd. attempt that nearly made it last year that fell off the tee during snap/hold up there against Lincoln? Must be good field to kick on.

Two words come to mine. Simpson and Carton. Both have not played due to injuries at camp. Both players are key on defense, especially Matt at LB. Defense is not same without these two key players. Look for both to be back Friday night. Bell rolls.