[FoSho]

Well, it is almost game day so I'm going to drop being a troll for a little bit.


It seems like my entire life, I've heard about games like this one. They pop up every few years. Games that you anticipate happening and they come to life. The most recent one is Corbin just two years ago. Those games turn into stories and those stories live on forever. I remember 7 years ago at work being told about the 1979 Highlands game. It fascinated me and I still remember how ecstatic I was one day when that game was on Facebook for me to watch. Hearing the stories about Coach Roddy refusing to take any crap - that's what made Belfry football what it is today. As I watched those old films, and it wasn't just the Highlands game, it's every tape I've watched from the 60s to today... there have been constants. Any time you played Belfry, you knew a few things...

1) 3 and a 1/2 yards on Pond Creek is worth to us what 6 points are to the rest of the football world.
2) You may throw the ball a little, but running the ball on an Angry Red D was going to be a challenge.
3) You were going to get hit.
4) If you were coming to Belfry, it was going to be wild.

But over the last few years, things have changed. Belfry has become a more potent offensive program. Sure, we don't spread the field like other programs, but Belfry is one of the best in the Nation at their scheme. It's resulted in big plays. Isaac Dixon, Taveon Hunter, and X Willis have been phenomenal - but before them came guys like Charlie Dotson, Doug Howard, and more that could break the big plays but would bust you for 4 yards any time we wanted and keep your quarterback on the sideline. Over the last two years, defense has become a challenge. Look at the college or professional games - it's a challenge for everyone. It seems like Belfry has been nearly unable to stop anyone this year. And finally, over the past few weeks, the crowd's have been record lows with pictures all over Facebook in disbelief that the Pond Creek Nation hasn't shown up.

So in my opinion... in this highly anticipated match-up, and let's be honest we've all known it was probably going to happen for quite a while, if Belfry wants to beat the Rebels... we have to get back to what makes us Belfry. The things we did as a constant from AT LEAST the 60s til today. The offense has to understand not every play has to go to the house. In fact, 5 yards in tremendous! Keep the ball from Lanter, Smith, Bartleson, Colwick, Crawford, etc. The defense has to have a chip on their shoulder. An attitude. How long ago does the Lunatic Fringe Defense seem like now?! These kids have to find that in them. It's in their blood! And they've got to be the more physical football team.

But finally...
The Pond Creek Nation has to show up. They have to show up loud and proud and be behind their team just as they've been for 90+ years now.

So if Belfry is going to create another one of those tales of Pirate lore wins that gets talked about twenty or thirty years down the line then we've gotta go back to our roots. We've got to be who the men who wore the jerseys before the boys who wear them now were that made this program what it is. It isn't changing the world, it's a shift in mindset. Own the clock. Stop the run. Hit people in the mouth. Remember who you are. Remember who WE are.

WE.
ARE.
BELFRY.

Although 90% of what's in this thread is 100% of the reason I have stayed away this week, I have to say that a post like this made me want to contribute one last time.

I got MUCH respect for the Pirates players, coaches, parents, fans and program. I can appreciate what you've built over time and what it means to the community as a whole. It's something to be proud of.

Your post is what this message board SHOULD be about and I'm as guilty as anyone as the reason it's not.

We all get caught up in the moment. We all say things and post things we probably shouldn't. But these kids (past and present), go out there and lay it on the line every week and every Friday night to represent their team, the school, the community, their families and themselves....and they do it because they love the game. And it's a great game. I am proud of these boys. All of them. Both teams. And I can't wait to take this game in tonight with an appreciation for what it is....Friday Night Lights in an awesome venue with great fans and some of the most dedicated and hard working KIDS in the country, playing their tails off for the guy beside them.

I want my team to win in the worst way but I won't let that bring out the worst in me. All I ask tonight is for all these kids to have a blast making memories with their friends and get thru the game injury free.

I can't wait to get to Pond Creek and enjoy this awesome event. Travel safe to all my friends making the trip and Go Rebels!