[COACHITALL]

Belfry 2020:

OFFENSE

Lose (5):
LT Sean Cochran
C Ethan Wolford
RB Ben Bentley
FB Peyton Hensley
SE Daniel Oliver
Return (6):
LG Tristan Dotson
RG Aiden Smith
RT Logan McCoy
TE Brad Lowe
QB Brett Coleman
RB Isaac Dixon

Other Key Returnees (Non-Starter):
QB Israel Canterbury- Started first two games
OL Garrett Smith- Was #2 on Depth Chart at C and RT. Expected to start at Center.



DEFENSE

Lose (7):
LB John Ashurst
DT Mason Washington
NG Jacob Baisden
DT Jonathan Stepp
RE Grayson Cook
FS Ben Bentley
CB Isaiah Birchfield

Return (4):
LE Brad Lowe
LB Seth Mounts
SS Brett Coleman
CB Tyler Chaffin

Other Key Returnees (Non-Starters):
CB Isaac Dixon- Starter in 2018, after injury and emergence of Chaffin was given a reduced role on Defense to keep fresh.

DE Rudy Blackwell- Started most of the season before Lowe returned as a Freshman. Had a significant injury late in the season he must recover from. Expected to be the other starting DE.

LB/S Neal Copley- Saw some minutes as a Freshman. Expect a much more increased role.




Notes:
- Offensively, Belfry has to like what they have to start with. Dixon will be one of the best players in EKY and Class 3A, and a potential All-State candidate. Coleman will be an experienced QB and they have a nice nucleus on the line. Finding a FB will be tricky as Hensley was essentially a HB playing FB and did it well. If the Pirates can develop a FB and a second big play threat at HB, and the line can develop over the Summer they will be worthy of a high ranking.

- Defensively, Belfry has some big gaps to fill with none being bigger than the heart of their D-Line. The Pirates lose all three starters and also Dylan Goff who was superb at times. Cook was a fixture for four years at DE. Blackwell has a ton of potential but will have to work hard to soften the blow. Birchfield and Bentley are massive holes to fill. Birchfield turned into one of the best CB's in 3A and EKY and recorded 8 INT's and became a lock down corner. Bentley was consistent and a big play maker. Chaffin improved dramatically filling in for Dixon and if Haywood lets Dixon play both ways he will bring some starting experience. Coleman will be solid as ever returning at Safety and Mounts will be a force in the middle.

- Special Teams wise losing Cook means finding a new PK and Punter. Kicking was always an adventure but Cook was a surprisingly effective Punter. Bentley was a tremendous kick returner and will be missed heavy, but Dixon when healthy is a highlight film waiting to happen.

Conclusion:
Belfry will be solid. I will raise my hand that I said that after 2019 the talent pool will start to dry up for Belfry, especially up front on both lines. I was beyond impressed with how the O-Line matured this season and though they lose their star and leader in Wolford, this should be a quality unit though depth will be questionable. Defensively, there may be some truth to my prophecy as that D-Line will be a scary proposition in the middle in a Class with some quality run games and veteran lines returning. The Pirates still have some great skill and Dixon is a bonafide superstar. The depth all around continues to thin though and this is alarming. You don't see that superstar in waiting like we have seen in the past, with the exception of maybe Blackwell. It is also scary not seeing that dominant Fullback that has been a fixture for basically the last 20 years. One thought is could we see Coleman move back to FB and let either Chaffin or Cantebrury run QB1?

Though I feel my doom and gloom prediction is not as gloomy as I anticipated, Belfry's margin for error or injury will be razor thin and significant improvement is an absolute must this summer at key positions.Outside of personnel, it is absolute a must that Belfry fills a full 10-game schedule with this new RPI system as the lack of that tenth game made their path tougher than it needed to be.

The Rash Twins dominated JV and they will be on the field somewhere next year