[EKUAlum05]

As good as Belfry travels I think it is unrealistic to expect them to bring a massive contingent. I think it is wayyyy too optimistic to think Belfry will fill their side and highly doubtful they bring as many fans as Bell County last year.

It is simple logistics. Though this will be perhaps the two best teams in EKY and a highly acclaimed game, it is still a regular season game requiring an extensive drive on a Friday night when people have to work. Bell County and Harlan are natural rivals and geographic rivals who played in a Historic Game (opening of the Stadium) which also came at the end of the Season when both teams had State Title aspirations. In the grand scheme of things this game is meaningless aside from the obvious bragging rights.

Belfry will certainly travel very well and bring a very large gate to the game.. but I seriously doubt you see more than 1200-1500 fans from Belfry maximum. You will see exponentially more fans than that which will travel to Southwestern, FWIW.

If this were a playoff game or the season opener I would anticipate maybe twice that estimate.. maybe even 3X.