[AtlPirateFan]

One of my favorite games of the year coming up Friday night.

So far this season I have seen a Belfry offense trying to find it's footing post Warren, Carr and JJ. For the most part they are coming along nicely and weapons are emerging each and every week. Offensively the Pirates will be fine and they have a secret weapon that is allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them. It's that nasty defense.

The Pirates D is scary good, they look almost as good this year as they did last year in early November. They are not only allowing the Pirates Offense the opportunity to learn from their mistakes they are doing so in convincing fashion. They held Henry Clay to 7 pts, since that game HC has put up 113 points. They dominated a young Harlan Co team that struggled to get points on the board until the reserves came in and finally they held Jordan Doan in check allowing only 98 yards for the young star, with 77 of that coming on a single play. You take away Doans loan bright spot and he goes 14 carries for 21 yards. 28 - 7 is a great win but it could have easily been a whole lot more points on the board with better execution.

The Panthers come into this game not having faced a Defense anywhere near this caliber. Pugh will get his first real test of the season but much like I have said every other game this year, if the Panthers rely on Pugh alone then it's going to be a long, long night in Pikeville.

Belfry - 42
Pikeville - 20 ( with a TD coming in garbage time)

[jetpilot]

Here is what I will say:

I am very happy with the job Coach Mac is doing at Pikeville and I will say with certainty that for the first time in several year that I think Pikeville has a team that COULD beat Belfry.

A little perspective from my view. If this were the 2014 Panthers vs the 09 Pirates...or even the 2010 State Runner-Up Pirates I would actually think it would be a toss-up game. The latter is actually saying a whole lot when you consider Pikeville is a 1A team. That shows that Pikeville has truly developed into a team capable of contending for a State Title.. something that even 3-4 years ago was not a reality.

This game will probably have the most buzz around it of any game over the past decade, and for the critics saying the rivalry should end this is living proof of why it should continue on.

Now the bad news for Pikeville though is it is not 2014 Panthers vs. 2010 Pirates.... for as much as the Pikeville program has evolved the Belfry program has followed suit and the product on the other side of the field is scary good. Belfry is bigger.. Belfry is deeper... Belfry is more athletic... and Belfry is more battle tested. Those are the facts.

What this all comes down to is Pikeville's only chance to win this is if the Panthers play perfect and Belfry shoots themselves in the foot. Much like the Pburg game I think Pikeville has a propensity to turn it over when the other team can penetrate and disrupt them in the backfield. The past few years have also shown that Pikeville typically gets a little tight against Belfry and have the tendency to try and force passes or to stretch the ball for an extra yard and have it knocked out.

This game begins and ends with #44 and #23 in Red, as well as Whitt. If they create penetration like they have all year Pikeville will have to find a way to subsidize their offense outside of Pugh. Those two stir the drink and then Belfry's very fast DE's and LB's clean up the rest.

On the opposite side of the ball there is no doubt Belfry's going to move the football at a pretty regular clip. The key for Pikeville's success here is to limit the damage. No long break away TD's... make Belfry cap off 15 play drives with a 1 yard plunge on 4th and Goal. Keep the clock moving, keep the game within reach, limit possessions... and make it so if Belfry makes any mistake.. be it penalty or fumble... that they have to overcome themselves to put points on the board. The hope is you get this thing to the 4th and it is still in question..then you can throw the kitchen sink and try to make magic happen.

Personally... I think Pikeville does a good job 75% of the game...but costly mistakes by the Panthers and shear of plays of excellence by Belfry begins to open it up until Belfry puts the nail in the coffin at the start of the 4th.

Belfry 52
Pikeville 21

Agree with some of this. Will correct it and get back to you. One thing I will say is Pikeville has more depth than in years past. I think you will find Pikeville plays about as many players as Belfry does now. And it's not just mop-up, any kid that gets in can play. Got to sign off until tonight. A couple more trash-talk posts and maybe one serious one and then I am done for the week. So have your insults ready because I won't click on this thread after tonight.:flame::devilflam


hh:


:biggrin:

[AtlPirateFan]

[Image: http://www.masguild.com/images/atPikeville.png]

[Pulp Fiction]

Alright, now I'm beginning to get a little queasy...

Pike County is the largest in the state and -still- in the top echelon of millionaires per capita in the entire USA...poor little county, indeed !! Do you even hear what you're saying ?!?

Both Pikeville and Belfry have great football programs and traditions. But make no mistake, it is NO coincidence both have the deepest financial support to boot. It matters a LOT in football...




:please:

Thank you oneijoe for taking the time to reply to one of my comments. I remember when Brian Milam mentioned you on Sports Overtime when you did some research on another "preppy" board back about 10 years ago.


Now to your reply to my post.
Yes I do know the Pike County is the largest county (LITTLE) in the state and yes I know Pike County has more millionaires per capita in the entire USA (POOR). The one downfall to typing on here is words don't always express what you are trying to say.

You think I used the words POOR and LITLE together by chance when I was describing Pike County.....???

You don't think that maybe, just maybe I used those words together on purpose????


How many other counties besides Jefferson can say they have two schools with three different state football championships and a state basketball championship?

[PaytoPlay]

I was able to attend the Belfry game this past Friday in Somerset. Even though Belfry did not execute particularly well, I was impressed with their team speed and ability on defense. That said, the weakness is in the secondary. Some super soft coverage from the DB's and some poor angles from the safeties could give Pikeville some big play opportunities to Estep, if they can protect long enough to throw. Not saying that the Belfry secondary is weak, but relative to the front 7, it is the weak spot in the armor so to speak.

Belfry's offensive line was very impressive, minus their tendency to false start. Even when they didn't blow open holes, Hatfield turned a 3 yard gain into 7-8. Neither RB got many touches. Willis had a couple nice runs but Joplin was largely ineffective. Haywood didn't really run either RB between the tackles and it is unclear whether either can be physical/between the tackle runners. It may very well be that neither need to be this season, but I kept waiting to no avail for Joplin or Willis to get it second man through and finish a nice 5-6 run with authority. Perhaps Catron will give them some of that when he gets back from injury. Joplin looked a step slower to my eye than I expected but a little stouter.

No offense to Pikeville but I don't see them being able to compete on the LOS.

Belfry - 49
Pikeville - 14

(35-7 at half)

[VoR_58]

Belfry wins easy. 44-13

[pugsley79]

Watched both teams play. Pikeville is good and will make a run at a state championship in 1A and Belfry will win another 3A championship.
Belfry-34 Pikeville-16

[BP2011]

Henry Clay didn't score on Belfry's D. It was a kick return

[Mastadon89]

High scoring affair. 48-41 Pikeville! HAILPIKEVILLE!!

[bucslover68]

High scoring affair. 48-41 Pikeville! HAILPIKEVILLE!!

Play BHS three times and you might score 48...I agree with the high scoring...Belfry doing most of the scoring...:biggrin:

[skully03]

The only way they score is if Belfry feels sorry for them. Don't mistake for arrogance. This is confidence.

[bucslover68]

Saw where pilot is on....expecting a post shortly....I hope so anyway.

[jetpilot]

The only way they score is if Belfry feels sorry for them. Don't mistake for arrogance. This is confidence.

Yes, the foam is starting to trickle down both sides of Belfry fans' mouths, and it's only Monday.

Pikeville 28, Belfry 12

No wait, that's ACT scores. Will give a football prediction later. Or not.:moon::biggrin:

nicker:

[skully03]

Actually JP I seen a pic today that Belfrys ACT average is a little over 19. Just sayin lol.

[bucslover68]

Yes, the foam is starting to trickle down both sides of Belfry fans' mouths, and it's only Monday.

Pikeville 28, Belfry 12

No wait, that's ACT scores. Will give a football prediction later. Or not.:moon::biggrin:

nicker:

Lol I was correct...been a boring Monday evening...much better now.

[bucslover68]

Actually JP I seen a pic today that Belfrys ACT average is a little over 19. Just sayin lol.

That didn't really help skully lol...irateSho

[skully03]

Better than 12.

[jetpilot]

Lol I was correct...been a boring Monday evening...much better now.

:devilflam

[Demarcus ware]

Belfry names the score in this one. GO PIRATES!!!!!

[bucslover68]

Better than 12.

Former Pirate Zach Thompson had a 36....More than PHS has scored in the last 3 match ups with Belfry.:biggrin:

[jetpilot]

Actually JP I seen a pic today that Belfrys ACT average is a little over 19. Just sayin lol.

I backed the WV students out to arrive at my #.:truestory:

[bucslover68]

:Clap:Hey JP....you gonna do an EKU type analysis with prediction for us?

[EKUAlum05]

:Clap:Hey JP....you gonna do an EKU type analysis with prediction for us?

He's been studying film of the PHS Academic Team and the Debate Club all week so he can make his prediction.

[jetpilot]

Former Pirate Zach Thompson had a 36....More than PHS has scored in the last 3 match ups with Belfry.:biggrin:

Must have copied off a PHS student. Score looks very suspicious. Take his score out and we are down to 11. Anybody else?:blondetea

[Demarcus ware]

He's been studying film of the PHS Academic Team and the Debate Club all week so he can make his prediction.

:hilarious:

[jetpilot]

He's been studying film of the PHS Academic Team and the Debate Club all week so he can make his prediction.

:Thumbs:

[EKUAlum05]

I haven't watched The Sports Guys episode yet?

Anything worth watching?

[jetpilot]

:Clap:Hey JP....you gonna do an EKU type analysis with prediction for us?

Not going to make a prediction on the game. As soon as I make one 8 more guys from WV will move in and my pick will be obsolete.:argue:

[bucslover68]

I haven't watched The Sports Guys episode yet?

Anything worth watching?

No idea lol

[EKUAlum05]

Not going to make a prediction on the game. As soon as I make one 8 more guys from WV will move in and my pick will be obsolete.:argue:

Belfry has a training webinar set up with Coach Mac.

He is supposed to teach them about this KHSAA loophole where you can claim any kid with the same last name as a "brother" to former players and make them immediately eligible even if they attend a school you have on your schedule.

Apparently the Charles family had 9 sons between the age of 15 and 18 and none of them were twins.