[turkeysalad]

While most of the discussion on this site will lend heavily toward Belfry winning the contest (most predictions on this site favor traditional powers), I do believe it is worth mentioning that discussion trended in the direction of both CAL and Bardstown eliminating DeSales, and neither game was ever ultimately in doubt. And while, yes, DeSales has never played Belfy, the Pirates have also not ever played a game at DeSales, and it is important to remember that only one school has beaten the Colts on their own turf, and the reality of this group taking out that "ghost" last week, has a profound impact on the psyche of this Colt's team.

DeSales made a significant change last night (not by choice), and while the downside of that alteration could be significant, there is no question that the potential upside of that evolution makes DeSales, arguably, the strongest team in school history; it could also lead to DeSales getting pummeled by the Pirates.

It is also important to remember that Ty Scroggins has an excellent record against Belfry, and his fingerprints are already all over this current team, and there is no question that the preparation for this game will be heavily influenced by the man with a winning record against the excellent Mr. Haywood.

While Belfry could very well win the game by a significant margin, any reasonable individual that looks at the past results for the Pirates, the capacity of this Colt's team, and the potential reality of what is to come on Friday, and does not acknowledge the possibility that it is Belfry who could lost by a wide margin, is quite honestly delusional.

If forced to put my own money on this content, I would go with the Pirates; my heart would obviously choose the Colts. I believe this is going to be an interesting game, on many levels, and no matter result, I can honestly say, nothing would surprise me.

However, I have longed believed that this DeSales team would win the state title next month, and my mind has not changed. If Belfry is the group that eliminates the Colts, then I will be perfectly content, because I have nothing but the highest esteem for the Belfry community, but I honestly am expecting a superb game, which, as many others have already said, should result in the winner becoming the 2019 3A champion.