[Pirate1991#8]

Here's what it comes down to for me:
-Belfry averages about a 50 pound per man advantage, and about 3 or 4 inches in height in the matchup of Oline vs. Pikeville D-LIne
- Horton and Bentley have a huge size advantage in the matchup of Belfry DL vs. Pikeville OL
- Pikeville has 5 guys playing both ways full time. That is really good for a 1A team... but Belfry will only ask 3 of their guys to go 4 Quarters both ways. Even more important Bentley is the only player in Belfry's Front 7 going both ways..whereas Pikeville has 4 guys doing so.
- I like the Dials kid a lot but I don't see the same pinpoint accuracy that they got out of Austin Charles. We can talk about Pugh all we want, but the game hinged on Charles' performance to keep the sticks moving and maintain balance. He pin pointed the short passes for 5 yard gains all night and softened the box. Charles did a great job of putting the pass in stride so Estep and Vanderbeck could get up field for positive yards.
- The value of what Estep did on Defense is lost. He saved no less than three TD's with his open field pursuit and tackling. Also gone is Caleb Skeens who played a whale of game making one on one tackles on the edge.



Ultimately how Belfry responds to having their legs cut out is critical. I thought it was genius and executed perfectly last year. In fact the entire gameplan was brilliant. Pikeville knows the recipe to beat Belfry... clutter the LOS, get off blocks and shut down the outside, win Special Teams, and maintain balance and the short passing game.

Daric Pugh was the ONLY HB to run for over 100 yards on Belfry last year and through 3 games this year. Pikeville will be very content taking 3.5 yards at a time and letting the clock run and hoping for that chance to pop a big one.

I think if both teams play flawless Belfry wins by 21-24 points.... with Corbett and Willis back and having to find their timing again I don't think flawless is possible for Belfry though. I actually think this game ends up resembling last week a lot. Super tight for a Half...and a couple key stops in the 2nd Half and the weight of Belfry's line eventually opens it up late

Belfry 27
Pikeville 13

I was taught the way to defend the taking out of the knees of our offensive lineman in my living room!!!! It's gonna be a way different game this time. And some really sore DL for pikeville. Lol