[Hoot Gibson]

Belfry always improves as much during the regular season as any team in the state. In recent years, the JC-Belfry game has been the last regular-season game of the year for both teams. Coach Matney was the only Johnson Central coach with a career win against Belfry and even he lost a few games before winning his first one in the series against the Pirates. There have also been some upsets in this series and some games that were much closer than expected. 

This game will be a good indicator of how JC will fare in the playoffs. If Isaac Dixon has a big game and the game is close or Belfry wins, then I don't expect JC will have a very good shot at a state title. Containing Dixon is the key because JC's best teams have always been able to contain opponents' primary offensive weapons when opponents have relied too heavily on one player. If Dixon runs wild against JC, then it will not bode well for JC's playoff hopes, IMO.

JC 42 Belfry 21