[Truewords]

How has Belfry’s middle school dominated for like 20 years but their high school continues to have early round playoff exits? I keep seeing pictures of all Belfry’s middle school rings on social media but yet they seem to not even be able to be the best team in the county through high school. Is it coaching or something else? Do they get satisfied with middle school prowess? Are they just older in middle school and it catches up at high school? I’m kinda taking a jab but also asking seriously?

Do what???!!! They’ve won 6 out of the last 10 state championships in 3a. What do you mean? Last 2 seasons have been the only 2 exits before 3rd round since 2010. Please explain. They won a state championship in 2019 and 2021. Last year they were not very good. This year they were good and lost to another good team who id consider was upset by Rockcastle to force Bell vs Belfry round 2. I think tonight we saw what it felt like for Bell fans have to watch Dixon run all over them for 3 years with how Thomas ran. The kid runs hard and is shifty and hard to tackle. I hope Dudley wins him another title.

This years team is no better or worse than last years team. Will be no better or worse next year. A good team they will be but just good. Belfry was blessed with a 5th year Dixon and that is only reason they have last championship. Been to much hype on middle school teams. Many kids don’t play in high school and several of their better kids have left for whatever reason and the WV pipeline is probably closed or will flow south on 119.

I’m not really knowledgeable on the middle school teams so who has been good middle school players there that decided not to play HS? I know a couple left and went to Mingo but who is at Belfry that didn’t play who could have helped the team? And disagree 100% that this year team and last year were equal. Belfry was running clocked in the playoffs and a lot last year but every game they lost was competitive this year.

Last years Ashland team that beat belfry was much better than this years bell county. Several opponents on last year’s schedule were also better. This year they at least attempted to initiate a pass threat. No player in particular am I saying isn’t playing just thru high school years many kids do not play all way thru high school. Look at last years and this years senior class. Small classes both years. Good quality players just not many of them. Belfry does return large numbers next year but everyone they loose this year hurts. Young and Woolum are big time players. Woolum was really only pass receiving threat this year. Lose a couple quality linemen. So next year will be only as good as this year and last year. Still will get beat by Pikeville and couple others. Probably win district again though.


Next year you will see marked improved by the Pirates.  Last years team was ineffective.  This years team, while having some nice talent…simply didn’t have enough up front defensively to make any real type of run at a championship.  Too small, too light and missing quality LB play in the middle.  That should change next year.

Where are these new players coming from? Heywood will always go with 3 yards and cloud of dust approach when back against a wall. No one returns that is athlete that Woolum is. Varney will never be able to see how good he could be because of belfry system. So if you know of where added size upfront is coming from let us know. Biggest lineman they had is Stacey and he is 5th year senior. Queen was best d lineman this season and also a senior. I don’t see what you’re eluding to.