Thread Rating:
08-14-2005, 03:32 PM
When addressing Belfry for this upcoming season it is inevitable for the talk to arise concerning the departure of Dave and Doug, as of course it should. But, what's done is done and in my opinion we have a solid backfield comparable to anyone else in 2A football this season in my opinion. The Pirates also have a quality offensive line returning. Last season heading into the season opener the big concern was a very inexperienced offensive line...by season's end most people throughout the state considered the Pirates to not only posess the top line in 2A, but one of the better units in the state. By season's end expect similar comparisons to be made.
My concerns with this team mainly lay on the defensive side of the ball. We should be fine on the d-line with some quality tackles and ends returning, but the linebacking corps and the secondary are going to be extremely young. Factor in the fact that our secondary is consistently are weakest link and you have a real problem.
Playing Johnson Central competitively was a good sign as I feel JC will win possibly 8 or so games and maybe even a district title in 3A with their veteran team. Yet, Pulaski County in all honesty should not have been able to compete with Belfry. The Maroons lost nearly their entire team from last year, and last year' team itself was in a rebuilding phase following the graduation of Cole Draughn and company from the team who lost to Boyle County in the 3A regional finals.
Secondly, aside from Corey Chapman and Matt Maynard we lack the big play capability and true speed. The Pirates do posess solid overall team speed, but what has set us apart from your other top tier 2A competition (ie Prestonsburg, Russell, Lloyd, and Middlesboro) was the playmakers we had on both sides of the ball. Leaving alone the talk of the obvious two, you now must replace players like Michael Hackney, who despite being undersized, wreaked absolute havoc on offenses last eyar with hsi ability to penetrate gaps and beat lineman into the hole. Gone is a player like G Childers, who is one of the better open field blockers to ever suit up for Belfry, who also doubled over as a very smart and aware lineacker, with a knack for run support.
Finally, we now must rely more on a quarterback with ability to actually have to take over an offense at times rather than rely on his thoroughbred halfbacks.Dustin May has potential to be an amazing back by his graduation, and Corey Chapman (despite being drastically undersized) does has big play capability and the speed similar to the Caudill's, Curtis Childress, and other Belfry halfbacks.Matt Maynard, if used at halfback, is in my opinion the best athlete on this team. BUT, these kids are not all-satte calibur players and won't have the ability to still run for 300 yards when teams stack 10-11 in the box on them. Whoever the quarterback is, he will be relied on HEAVILY to prove an ability to pass the ball against a quality opponent.
It is just my opinion but I would like to warn Pirate fans, as I know how madly fanatic we can get, that this team may look ugly at the start of the season. I have a feeling that a Henry Clay team with 18 starters returning and 2 or 3 future D-1 signees will probably win by at least 4 TD's this Friday...we are just to green in the gills and at an obvious athletic disadvantage. I also have a feeling we may lose to a Lawrence County team that is not even a quality team such as past Bulldog teams. LC consistently has a gameplan that gives Belfry tons of troubles, last year they nearly beat us with what is one of the worst Bulldog teams in recent memory.
I DO feel, however, that by seaosn's end this Belfry team will be a very, very dangerous football team. Don't expecta state title because it will take ALOT of improvement to beat the likes of Fort Campbell, Lloyd, and Russell this year. But, this team may very well enter the post season with a 6-4 or 5-5 record and still possibly advance to the state semi-finals or beyond. Our strength is our lines,,, our running backs just need time,,, and our defense is always solid by season's end, especially against the run. It's also a huge positive that in our Eastern semi-state the opnly true spread offense we would have to contend with comes from Leslie County and Fleming County.
In conclusion, don't get down on this team...... whatever you do... they are going to take some lumps. Maybe even get romped a couple times (ie Henry Clay and Ironton) but if we can continue tos upport them and surround them with a positiive environment, I honestly feel this team may be even more rewarding to watch than our two state championship squads.
My concerns with this team mainly lay on the defensive side of the ball. We should be fine on the d-line with some quality tackles and ends returning, but the linebacking corps and the secondary are going to be extremely young. Factor in the fact that our secondary is consistently are weakest link and you have a real problem.
Playing Johnson Central competitively was a good sign as I feel JC will win possibly 8 or so games and maybe even a district title in 3A with their veteran team. Yet, Pulaski County in all honesty should not have been able to compete with Belfry. The Maroons lost nearly their entire team from last year, and last year' team itself was in a rebuilding phase following the graduation of Cole Draughn and company from the team who lost to Boyle County in the 3A regional finals.
Secondly, aside from Corey Chapman and Matt Maynard we lack the big play capability and true speed. The Pirates do posess solid overall team speed, but what has set us apart from your other top tier 2A competition (ie Prestonsburg, Russell, Lloyd, and Middlesboro) was the playmakers we had on both sides of the ball. Leaving alone the talk of the obvious two, you now must replace players like Michael Hackney, who despite being undersized, wreaked absolute havoc on offenses last eyar with hsi ability to penetrate gaps and beat lineman into the hole. Gone is a player like G Childers, who is one of the better open field blockers to ever suit up for Belfry, who also doubled over as a very smart and aware lineacker, with a knack for run support.
Finally, we now must rely more on a quarterback with ability to actually have to take over an offense at times rather than rely on his thoroughbred halfbacks.Dustin May has potential to be an amazing back by his graduation, and Corey Chapman (despite being drastically undersized) does has big play capability and the speed similar to the Caudill's, Curtis Childress, and other Belfry halfbacks.Matt Maynard, if used at halfback, is in my opinion the best athlete on this team. BUT, these kids are not all-satte calibur players and won't have the ability to still run for 300 yards when teams stack 10-11 in the box on them. Whoever the quarterback is, he will be relied on HEAVILY to prove an ability to pass the ball against a quality opponent.
It is just my opinion but I would like to warn Pirate fans, as I know how madly fanatic we can get, that this team may look ugly at the start of the season. I have a feeling that a Henry Clay team with 18 starters returning and 2 or 3 future D-1 signees will probably win by at least 4 TD's this Friday...we are just to green in the gills and at an obvious athletic disadvantage. I also have a feeling we may lose to a Lawrence County team that is not even a quality team such as past Bulldog teams. LC consistently has a gameplan that gives Belfry tons of troubles, last year they nearly beat us with what is one of the worst Bulldog teams in recent memory.
I DO feel, however, that by seaosn's end this Belfry team will be a very, very dangerous football team. Don't expecta state title because it will take ALOT of improvement to beat the likes of Fort Campbell, Lloyd, and Russell this year. But, this team may very well enter the post season with a 6-4 or 5-5 record and still possibly advance to the state semi-finals or beyond. Our strength is our lines,,, our running backs just need time,,, and our defense is always solid by season's end, especially against the run. It's also a huge positive that in our Eastern semi-state the opnly true spread offense we would have to contend with comes from Leslie County and Fleming County.
In conclusion, don't get down on this team...... whatever you do... they are going to take some lumps. Maybe even get romped a couple times (ie Henry Clay and Ironton) but if we can continue tos upport them and surround them with a positiive environment, I honestly feel this team may be even more rewarding to watch than our two state championship squads.
![[-]](https://bluegrassrivals.com/forum/images/lifestyle/collapse.png)
08-14-2005, 04:00 PM
also,
I heard a rumor that the Wilkerson kid who used to play at Williamson Middle School enrolled at Belfry last year and may be playing football. I haven't had a chance to see Belfry play yet, is he on the team? Will he contribute is he is?
Also, how is the Bowe kid progressing? I heard he was palying in the secondary, but for those in the know how is he doing with the QB position?
I heard a rumor that the Wilkerson kid who used to play at Williamson Middle School enrolled at Belfry last year and may be playing football. I haven't had a chance to see Belfry play yet, is he on the team? Will he contribute is he is?
Also, how is the Bowe kid progressing? I heard he was palying in the secondary, but for those in the know how is he doing with the QB position?
08-14-2005, 04:17 PM
very well said, the one thing that will help us more than anything is haywood will HAVE expand our playbook this year he said on the sports overtime preview show that we would pass more but we are and always will be a running team, we have the talent at TE to drive people crazy with play action or little post patterns but i have the feeling we will sit in our nice new digs and watch haywood run into a 11 man line all night long (mud bowl breathitt 3 years ago) without the personnel to get it done. Ill say this we have been blessed the last 2 years, we had 2 people that can never be replaced but they didnt do it alone,we will pick up the pieces and move on the tools are there we just have to use them, GIVEM HELL PIRATES :twisted: 
and Henry Clay better not count us out they could get the shock of a lifetime! 8)
and Henry Clay better not count us out they could get the shock of a lifetime! 8)
08-14-2005, 05:01 PM
Very well written breakdown. I agree that we will take some lumps early in the season. I have faith in our Pirates and the Coaching staff that we will give them hell. The Pirate crazies will stand with their boys in good times as well as in bad times. yes, we will be a contender again this year. Success breeds success.
Welcome to the site to both you Piratefans. Its good to have you all here !!! Spread the word troughout The Pond Creek Nation about our site, lets fill this board with Piratefanatics......
Go Big Red !!!
Welcome to the site to both you Piratefans. Its good to have you all here !!! Spread the word troughout The Pond Creek Nation about our site, lets fill this board with Piratefanatics......
Go Big Red !!!
08-18-2005, 01:24 AM
this years belfry team will be just as solid as belfry teams of the past have been (maybe not as much talent) but coach haywood and his staff will have them ready come playoff time and they will put together a season that everyone on Pond Creek will be proud of!
08-19-2005, 01:45 AM
Belfry will be good this year, they have an excellent coaching staff, and I'd say they have some talented athletes. I'd say it will come down to them and prestonsburg in the district and region. No matter how much talent prestonsburg has, i can bet they will be outcoached by the staff that belfry has. Thats been obvious the past few years
08-19-2005, 05:29 PM
That is what has caused Prestonsburg the possibility of two state championships. They've had the talent and 2A hasn't really been all that strong since the days of Boyle Co. and Danville, Derossett seems to choke in big games. Belfry should be good once again this season, but losing a David Jones or a Doug Howard will take it's toll in the long run.
Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
