[EKUAlum05]

..And now ladies and gentleman, it is Thursday night... PREDICTION TIME (Cold weather addition)!

KEYS TO VICTORY:
BELFRY

1. "Wear Layers"- This pertains to Belfry's literal depth on defense. Simply put, if Belfry fins the majority of their team having to play clsoe to the line of scrimmage to slow down breathitt's running game, the Pirates are in trouble. If Belfry can sustain stopping Bretahitt's ground game with only their D-line, and can allow their LB's and DE's to play down the field, the Piurate's chance for success is very high.

2. "Hot Chilli"- Belfry has got to burn the Bobcats with the big play. This may surprise people that I say this, because undoubtedly Belfry's best chance for victory seemingly comes with their ability to control the tempo with long demoralizing drives, but I see a different perspective. Everyone in the state of Kentucky knows that Breathitt will be selling out on the run and the Pirate's have the opportunity to hit the homerun. If Belfry can consistently break long runs it will place doubts in the heads of a Breathitt defense who already feels their only chance is to take chances. Momentum is definately critical in this game, but above momentum you have to place confidence. The most confident team will play the ebst, and what better way to build confidence than gashing Breathitt's defense?

3. "Dont Freeze"- This thread is evident of the oen thing that worries me more than anything, the mental satte of this game. Both teams are 13-0, both teams have rolled along this season without much of a challenge, both teams have been in this situation many times before, but for soem reason Belfry is expected to romp Breathitt by many. Belfry will be well prepared and well-coached, but these are high school kids we are talking about, and the mental game ebcomes much more variable at this level. Belfry has got to have a killer's mentality in this one, instead of palying like they "want" this game (like the past two years vs. Russell), they must play as if they "NEED" this game (like 2003 @ Middlesboro and Lloyd). Belfry WILL get Bretahitt's bets shot, and it will be a Breathitt team with a major chip on thier shoulder, belfry cannot freeze up.



BREATHITT COUNTY

1. "Turn On the Heater"- If you were to look at gamefilm over the past 4 years of the games Belfry has lost, it all boils down to two things. 1) Belfry beat themselves with turnovers, a poor start, and penalties. 2) The opposing defense was the agressor and constantly hit Belfry in the bakcifeld as the play developed. This is a very fundamentally sound squad who I can't see #1 happening, but with Bretahitt's quickness and hitting they can definately create #2.

2. "White Out The Line"- Bretahitt will be wearing their road white jersey's, and the bottom line is, if they can't win the battle up front on both sides of the ball, they are in serious danger. On offense they have got to keep Belfry's uber-quick lineman from penetrating and disrupting their offense. The Bobcats have a tendacy for taking a long time for their plays to develop, if Belfry can get pentration it could result in very long losses and/or turnovers. Defensively, Breathitt has got to shut down the middle of the field, PERIOD. Lee and May are on another level in terms of their size and strength, and they have been able to run between the tackles all season. Bretahitt has to attempt to mimic what worked for Russell, by forcing Belfry to beat them from the outside in.

3. "Cover Up and Stay Warm"- Protecting the football is a must. If Belfry gets a short field it is goonight sweetheart, but more so than anything those turnovers will hurt the Bobcats mentally. The Bobcats must "stay warm" by keeping the ball moving and keeping the games momentum, as well as their confidence, in their favor. I honestly think no team in 3A can beat belfry by consstantly sustaining "drives", the Pirate defense really is all that it is advertised, and eventually they will make something happen. But, the Pirates can be exploited with a big play. Breathitt needs to have at least 4 or more plays of 30 yards or more.

PREDICTION

Much tougher defensive battle than some expect, but the constant wear and tear of Belfry's grinding offense eventually proves too much for a very game Bobcat team:

BELFRY 28
BREATHITT 13