[EKUAlum05]

Belfry is tough, but why rank them above Pulaski and Johnson Central? Southwestern might even surprise you.

Hard to make an argument over Pulaski, great 5A team with a ton returning... but Johnson Central was hit pretty hard by graduation and the loss of Belcher.

JC laid it on Belfry pretty heavy last year, but Belfry also was a completely different looking team once Austin Hatfield returned on defense. No way I can say Belfry would have beat JC in a re-match, but I anticipate it would have been a different looking game. The Pirates had over 300 rushing yards and moved the ball well...simply could not stop JC.

Belfry lost some key pieces in Warren, Johnson, Carr, and H. Hatfield... but by and large they return an in-tact defense that was dominant come November, their entire OL which even put up big rushing yards against JC, and plenty of talent at the skill position.Throw in the return of X Willis from injury who was probably Belfry's 2nd best HB last year, the addition of Deonte Joplin (1000 yard rusher at Mingo Central), and the Corbett kid who will definitely help at different positions.

On top of that those sensational Freshmen Belfry played (Hall, Horton, Bentley, Catron, Woolum, Fletcher) are a year more mature.The Pirates also have another sensational crop of Freshman coming in.

Belfry has a very strong argument.