[EKUAlum05]

This schedule is going to really help the Pirates make their strides to improving, it'll be great for them. I see Henry Clay a little bit like Belfry offensively, extremely talented but young. They lost as much as we did on that side of the ball, and like us they have a talented bunch of replacements. The part of their game that excites me is that it'll be a real challenge for Austin Hall and TJ Dotson. The Devils like sweeps and they're going to try to move Austin and TJ, I feel like those two kids are fast and strong enough to hold their ground. It's a LOT easier to keep contain with guys with the speed of those two as well as Keaton and X (and others) at corner. Run defense is something I feel particularly good about with this team, but even the best D will struggle with that kind of speed. Their line seems big, but our defensive line is hard to handle and I think Horton can really dominate this game from defensive tackle.

Unfortunately, I think we'll fumble a few away and that'll end up costing us and this one will go shades of 2012. 28-14 or so in the final for Henry Clay, but I hope I'm wrong. The Belfry offense showed flashes of excellence, and times where they fumbled everything in the few plays we got in against Hazard. I think our turnover total will directly correlate to the final score. Maybe I'll change my mind when I watch Henry Clay more, but I'd rather predict us losing and be wrong.

The good news is, Belfry in week 1 will play what would be the toughest opponent on their most likely regional play-off opponent's (Pike Central/Lawrence County) schedule, and the toughest on Bourbon's schedule. So if we lose, oh well... I guarantee it pays off in the long run. You just have to pick your head up, and get ready for the next one. It doesn't get any easier with two 5A teams in the next two weeks, but it'll sure pay off come November.

I will give Bourbon some credit.

They play Warren Central this week which is not too far off from Henry Clay. Warren Central is a Top 7..maybe even Top 5 5A team this year.