[99PIRATEFAN]

National Rankings just released Belfry #78 Knoxville Catholic #87
The number #2 team in Kentucky and the number #3 team in Tennessee this is off maxpreps shaping up to be a football game

I had to make a correction to this Belfry is the #2 team in Ky, and
Knoxville Catholic moved to #1 team in Tennessee this is all off maxpreps

[EKUAlum05]

For those unable to go this Knoxville News Station is planning to carry the game LIVE Friday

http://www.wbir.com/

[THINBLUELINE411]

Unless Belfry is the victim of some good ole home cookin THE RED ARMY ROLLS ON!!! It will take one hell of an effort from an extraordinary team to stop the Pirates....I just can't see it.... RED ARMY steamrolls another victim...

Pirates-48

Catholic 14

[skully03]

Watching a little bit of Knoxvilles game last week against Fulton. Early in the game I see that if pressured while the Qb stays in the pocket the OL doesn't seem to hold. May change later in game. And the Irish DL looks like they can be pushed around by our big boys on the OL. Rodgers will def be a threat. Pass defense better be on point.

[Big Five-0-]

For those unable to go this Knoxville News Station is planning to carry the game LIVE Friday

http://www.wbir.com/

Thanks. This game will be one of those that will be fun to watch.

[insideinfo]

I like Belfry by at least 10

[The Spread]

Knox Cath has some athletes. As a fan of neither, I can say without bias that if Belfry can lean on them, and I think they will, they should win this game. If Knox Cath wins this game, it will be quick strikes on offense coupled with Belfry turnovers.

I'll take Belfry to not let that happen.

[99PIRATEFAN]

Nothing like a good AM practice I think the boys are ready for some Friday night football

[OldJacket]

Belfry 35-21

[BelfryManager2016]

Belfry 56-13

[#55PirateFan]

49-42 Belfry

[EKUAlum05]

I am as high on this Belfry team as anyone but no way do I see Belfry winning this in a blowout.

[Pupaw]

Going with the Pirates in an absolute war.

Belfry 28
Knoxville Catholic 27

[Hurricane Storm]

A few thoughts:
1. I won't be surprised to see a Belfry win. Or a KC win.
2. Despite their high scoring offense, I don't see KC putting that many points on the board, as Belfry should chew up big chunks of the clock.
3. The three biggest keys: Belfry not putting the ball on the ground, Belfry secondary, and drive stalling self-inflicted penalties. If any of these happen, KC will likely win.
4. KC will not be able to run. KC will not stop the run. Not enough experience at trying to stop it. Even will all 11 in the box I don't see it. Others with experience try it, and struggle to stop it. Can't lay the ball on the ground.
5. Still, the Belfry secondary is vastly improved over, say, 5 years ago. I no longer cringe when Belfry faces a spread offense.
6. Belfry has been susceptible to trick plays. They are hard to prepare for.
7. I don't see the travel being an issue. Fans like it, the team and coaches are used to it.
8. Kids are kids, and beating KC so handily last year could impact this year, despite coaches efforts. Confidence is great if it can be backed up - misery if it isn't. (Pikeville 2014)
9. D-line pressure on the QB will be needed, but maintain lanes and watching for draws will be important. A scrambling QB can be dangerous.
10. Win or lose, the game is just bragging rights. A December win is the only one that counts. No Belfry team undefeated in the regular season has won a state title. Still, it is a goal, if only for the fans.

[BelfryPride]

Nothing like a good AM practice I think the boys are ready for some Friday night football

Yeah, I've been seeing pictures of Belfry's 5:30 am practices. I love the dedication!

[AtlPirateFan]

Great little write up

http://gridironscouting.com/2016/09/22/g...gh-school/

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Game will be an uphill challenge both ways....for both teams. Knoxville creates challenges for the Pirate Secondary and LB's....and the Belfry running game will be an issue for Knoxville.

IMO..Belfry's biggest weakness is their LB's. They're young and slightly undersized. This group will surely be tested in this one. Despite the sized advantage at the WR spot.....IMO, the Belfry secondary will hold up ok. May give up a few big plays...but they'll hold their own.

This game will come down to TWO Things: Turnovers and penalties. If Belfry can limit both...then I believe they'll position themselves to win the game. If not...then it's Knoxville's game to lose.

Belfry's QB Corbett will be the difference maker one way or the other. He can't get antsy and try to force his game. NewCath completely took him out of the offense....but let the fullback eat chunks of yards 6-7 yards a pop...thus the blowout was on. Pikeville jumped Corbett on the first play....but couldn't consistently keep him at bay....and he continued to churn yards on the corners.

Corbett is a game changer. No QB at Belfry...since maybe Dwayne Francisco, has the playmaking ability that Corbett has. he doesn't always make the right read (but he's much better than last year) and he can be a little selfish at times in keeping the rock.....but the kid has cat like quickness that's gonna give teams fits if they let him pressure the edges. He has to be patient...and he's got to take care of the ball. Good news for Belfry: Preece has been cleared and is good to go at Center. That is huge.

IMO, the game will be closer than many think. Belfry 35 Knoxville 27

[EKUAlum05]

Game will be an uphill challenge both ways....for both teams. Knoxville creates challenges for the Pirate Secondary and LB's....and the Belfry running game will be an issue for Knoxville.

IMO..Belfry's biggest weakness is their LB's. They're young and slightly undersized. This group will surely be tested in this one. Despite the sized advantage at the WR spot.....IMO, the Belfry secondary will hold up ok. May give up a few big plays...but they'll hold their own.

This game will come down to TWO Things: Turnovers and penalties. If Belfry can limit both...then I believe they'll position themselves to win the game. If not...then it's Knoxville's game to lose.

Belfry's QB Corbett will be the difference maker one way or the other. He can't get antsy and try to force his game. NewCath completely took him out of the offense....but let the fullback eat chunks of yards 6-7 yards a pop...thus the blowout was on. Pikeville jumped Corbett on the first play....but couldn't consistently keep him at bay....and he continued to churn yards on the corners.

Corbett is a game changer. No QB at Belfry...since maybe Dwayne Francisco, has the playmaking ability that Corbett has. he doesn't always make the right read (but he's much better than last year) and he can be a little selfish at times in keeping the rock.....but the kid has cat like quickness that's gonna give teams fits if they let him pressure the edges. He has to be patient...and he's got to take care of the ball. Good news for Belfry: Preece has been cleared and is good to go at Center. That is huge.

IMO, the game will be closer than many think. Belfry 35 Knoxville 27

I feel like we can't talk about Corbett without also acknowledging the fact the boy has completed 5/7 passes with 4 going for TD's and the other going to the 2 yard line and is averaging over 40 yards a completion.

The kid single handily has added even more grey hairs to Haywood's head but goodness gracious is he a gamechanger when he is in the zone.

[Belfry0304]

I agree with the linebacker assessment in the sense that Fields and Cook have something to prove but let's not overlook how good Wellman and Hall are.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

I feel like we can't talk about Corbett without also acknowledging the fact the boy has completed 5/7 passes with 4 going for TD's and the other going to the 2 yard line and is averaging over 40 yards a completion.

The kid single handily has added even more grey hairs to Haywood's head but goodness gracious is he a gamechanger when he is in the zone.

Absolutely. He's throws a beautiful ball....and Belfry's got kids who'll catch it. And yes you're correct....the grey hairs are adding up:biggrin:

[EKUAlum05]

[IMG][/IMG]

[OutlawJoseyWales]

I agree with the linebacker assessment in the sense that Fields and Cook have something to prove but let's not overlook how good Wellman and Hall are.

Agreed. Wellman and Hall both have been stellar. Honestly...Fields and Gray have both played well. The entire LB crew has been fine.....however, when you start breaking down the defense...and start looking for potential holes....due to their size and relative lack of experience (Gray and Fields)......IMO, that's the area teams are going to try to exploit . That's easier said than done.

[BigRed123]

To those of you that think this game will be a blowout, i think you are highly wrong. However, if Belfry wins by 3 TD's or more then this team has gotta be put down as a legit top 40 national high school team.

[BelfryPride]

Gotta say this is Bad Ass! Thanks to the Bristol Motor Speedway and the City of Knoxville!

[Belfry0304]

I notice all these Knoxville based articles use the word "athletic" a lot but never "physical"

Can't wait

[AtlPirateFan]

I notice all these Knoxville based articles use the word "athletic" a lot but never "physical"

Can't wait

I was thinking about that this morning. You know it says something about Belfry's physicality when the hardest hit laid in last years state title game was by one of the smallest guys on the field.

[Pulp Fiction]

[Image: http://www.bluegrassrivals.com/forum/att...1474593127]

Come on BelfryPride.... this is way too awesome to just be a Thumbnail.

[EKUAlum05]

http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/high-scho...01981.html

A few things on this article:

1. Sort of surprised at the number of errors and incorrect info coming from a fairly large market newspaper. Jordan Scott on the DLine?

2. Kind of offended, and hopefully the Belfry players are as well, how they talked about Belfry's LB's and Secondary not being the same caliber of athletes as they have played.

I have watched their competition and if they were saying "Not as fast as other teams" I would be fine with it and agree. With that said, from what I saw I would consider Wellman, Hall, Catron, and Woolum every bit as athletic if not more than what they have seen. Fulton could fly... but they couldn't get off a block or make a routine open field tackle to save their life. To me athleticism is the whole package.. how strong you are, how you change direction, how you high point a ball, hand-eye coordination... when it comes to that stuff I think they are really underselling some of these guys from Belfry.

[99PIRATEFAN]

http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/high-scho...01981.html

A few things on this article:

1. Sort of surprised at the number of errors and incorrect info coming from a fairly large market newspaper. Jordan Scott on the DLine?

2. Kind of offended, and hopefully the Belfry players are as well, how they talked about Belfry's LB's and Secondary not being the same caliber of athletes as they have played.

I have watched their competition and if they were saying "Not as fast as other teams" I would be fine with it and agree. With that said, from what I saw I would consider Wellman, Hall, Catron, and Woolum every bit as athletic if not more than what they have seen. Fulton could fly... but they couldn't get off a block or make a routine open field tackle to save their life. To me athleticism is the whole package.. how strong you are, how you change direction, how you high point a ball, hand-eye coordination... when it comes to that stuff I think they are really underselling some of these guys from Belfry.

They are but they really haven't seen us play there Coaches and players have but not the people reporting it I think they will be surprised at how fast and athletic we are well with me saying that hope everyone has a safe trip to Knoxville and Good Luck to the boys in Red

[AtlPirateFan]

For clarity on the WBIR live stream (their website makes it hard to find live video) I believe it will be broadcast here
http://original.livestream.com/wbir

Also I believe they have a student led broadcast here
http://irishstreamingnetwork.com/