[Belfry0304]

2012 Belfry Pirates Offensive Preview
All Starters Projected by Belfry0304

Position: QB
Projected Starter: #6 Sani Warren (JR, 6'0, 180)
Outlook: At Belfry, quarterback has long been the man who takes the snaps and reads the tackles on the triple option almost exclusively. Expect the ball to fly a little more this year, as Sani Warren takes over and is a more natural passer. Since his 7th grade year at Belfry, the Pirate Nation has been ecstatic for his arrival and the skillset he brings. While making some appearances in 2011, coming in not just during blowouts but in a few of the first drives in nearly every game, Sani impressed with his ability to accuratley throw the deep bomb and let us see against Sheldon Clark his skill in running the two minute drill when he nickle and dimed his way down the field for a Pirate touchdown. His speed threat receiver he hooked up with a few times last year, Howie Dotson, departs for graduation, but he returns a 6'6 tight end with multiple division one offers. The receiving corps talk is for a different preview, for now we're focusing on the QB spot. Here's where the issues comes in, depth. The current seniors and juniors were lead at QB in 8th grade by Warren, while the sophomores were lead by Keaton Taylor (5'10, 150) who is rumored to not be coming out to focus on baseball. The incoming freshman were led by Cameron Catron who remains at BMS for another year. This leaves Sani as the only quarterback with any starting experience (including Middle School) on the roster. Junior Trenity Carr has the ability to throw the ball as does Junior DT Joey Duty but simply not nearly the skill level as Sani Warren and Duty and Carr are more valuable at other positions. The Pirates can only hope their all-star quarterback stays healthy, because if not that's where they may run into some trouble.

Position: RB
Projected Starters: #11 Josh Robinson (SR, 6'0, 180), #28 Justin Johnson (JR, 5'5, 160)
Outlook: Belfry returns both their halfbacks, Robinson will enter his third year at the spot for the Pirates. Robinson started the year off strong with a good showing in the Pike County Bowl, taking home the MVP, but didn't get into the end zone the last 7 weeks of the season. Perhaps Josh's best aspect of his game is blocking, taking nothing away from his running, he excels at really helping his running mate Johnson open space. Johnson is the speed threat, coming up big for the Pirates in quiet a few games in 2011. Though he is a smaller back, his natural quickness makes up for what he lacks in size. In 2011, Josh Dixon platooned into games and really came up big against Garrard County running for 4 TD's, The Pirates will look for a few guys to come in to give Robinson (a 2-way starter) and Johnson a rest. Look for guys like Davontae Dari (JR), Trenity Carr (JR), Hayden Hatfield (JR) to be the halfback relievers and of course other guys always surprise us come August.

Position: FB
Projected Starter: #27 Austin Hatfield (SO, 5'7, 190)
Outlook: Perhaps the Pirates biggest lost was 2-year fullback Trey Willis. Trey became the fullback after tearing his ACL his sophomore year when he was expected to start halfback. Though you'd never wish it on a kid, perhaps the injury was a blessing as Trey at fullback lead the Pirates to two straight state titles and he made a career of earning tough yards like so many before him. The projected starter listed is Austin Hatfield, but anything can happen between now and then. Austin is a tough, natural fullback with a low point of gravity and a ton of strength. The most exciting part is he's just a sophomore. Trenity Carr may also put a run in at this spot, despite being a more natural halfback Carr is an absolute brute, working his bench max up over 300+ during the offseason. He will work his way into the lineup somewhere just based on hard work. A third option for the spot would be #18 Timmy May (JR).

Position: WR
Projected Starters: #29 Eli Huddle (SR, 5'10, 180), #2 Cameron Johnson (JR, 5'11, 190)
Outlook: Much like the QB spot, the receivers were essentially stalk blockers in years of Pirate past but in 2012 they will need to be guys who can block for the experienced halfbacks and catch balls from the prodigy quarterback. Huddle emerged as the #2 receiver last year and caught a few balls as well as a few touchdowns. Johnson also played WR at times last year and impressed. Cameron has been hard at work both in the weight room, and in his free time passing with Warren developing a chemistry. Huddle, along with quite a few others, will likely join in after baseball season. Chemistry is everything in a passing attack. Others who may join in the pass catching core are Davontae Dari, Zach Thacker (SR), and Keaton Taylor should he come out.

Position: TE
Projected Starter: #23 Tony Messer (SR, 6'6, 215)
Outlook: For the past few seasons the Pirates have gone to just one tight end. The one this year, is a division one recruit. Rumored to have letters from Kentucky, Louisville, Marshall, and Michigan, as well as smaller colleges such as EKU and WKU, Tony Messer is a load to handle. A naturally strong, athletic player standing at 6'6, Messer excels both at blocking and pass catching. Some thought the Pirates should have passed to Messer more in 2011 but with the graduation of Howie Dotson, Tony will be looked at a little more by Warren, who played with him in 8th grade and connected several times for paydirt.

Position: Offensive Line
Projected Starters: #57 Derrick Jude (SR, 6'4, 235), #54 Zach Taylor (SR, 6'0, 250), #75 James May (SR, 5'11, 220), #55 Macky Francis (SO, 5'10, 250), #67 Drew Mullins (SO, 6'1, 220)
Outlook: When writing my projected starters, after the first three I really was lost. Those are my projections, but moreso than any position this may change. Just as much as the players, who knows who may play what position on the offensive line. The Pirates lost all state center Keegan Fields and will look for someone to replace him. Center is a vital position in the fullback plays the makes the Pirate offense go. Jude and Taylor return as starters while James May has some starting experience. Macky Francis is a big young lineman who can play center, but Taylor may be a better choice at center. Drew Mullins is the younger brother of LB Payton Mullins who has natural size and ability, and with some good work in the offseason could be very talented lineman. Others who may put in bids for spots, guys with talent, hard work, and size #71 Michael Barnes (JR 6'4, 310), #72 Tuffy Willis (SR 5'8, 280), #51 Ryan Baumgardner (JR, 6'0, 250), #73 Zach Lester (JR, 5'9, 200), #78 Jacob Rutherford (JR, 5'10, 300)