[E's Army]

Pirates by 7

[AngryMob]

How does the strength of schedule change if we flip that top 8000? 9000? 3000? Remove district games? Lets just narrow it however can enforce our narrative

[bucslover68]

How does the strength of schedule change if we flip that top 8000? 9000? 3000? Remove district games? Lets just narrow it however can enforce our narrative

I know right. Both teams have played plenty good enough schedules. 48 minutes head to head is what will decide this, not some 7000th ranked team back in August.

[VELVET CLOSER]

Belfry better be able to tackle Hester and Pittman. If they miss it will be a touchdown. Ashland with their running game is like Raceland with the passing game. They both rely on the big play. If you miss Hester and Pittman it will be a long night for the pirates. If they can contain both they will win. Tomcats not know For their long drives.

If Ashland puts all their chips on Pittman and Hester then it will be a long night. Belfry’s linebackers are as good as they come. Belfry’s secondary is who better play discipline football. Mounts and company will flat out lay the wood at the line of scrimmage. It’s drawing in the aggressive secondary that will get the Pirates beat if they’re not careful. It’s total ball control for the Pirates. If they can stay ahead of the chains then Ashland will receive death by a 1,000 cuts. Exactly what JC has handed them for years.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

If Ashland puts all their chips on Pittman and Hester then it will be a long night. Belfry’s linebackers are as good as they come. Belfry’s secondary is who better play discipline football. Mounts and company will flat out lay the wood at the line of scrimmage. It’s drawing in the aggressive secondary that will get the Pirates beat if they’re not careful. It’s total ball control for the Pirates. If they can stay ahead of the chains then Ashland will receive death by a 1,000 cuts. Exactly what JC has handed them for years.

Solid tackling will be vital for both teams. Ashland and Belfry’s backs are very talented. IMO....YAC yards may tell the story of the entire game. Without Mounts in the 2nd half of the Pikeville game, yards after contact KILLED Belfry.

Ashland’s backs are slippery. Gonna be interesting to say the least. Big challenge both ways

[Iam4thecats]

How does the strength of schedule change if we flip that top 8000? 9000? 3000? Remove district games? Lets just narrow it however can enforce our narrative

I created the post.
I have posted those numbers throughout the year. For every class.
I live in central time zone and I don’t like either one of these fan bases.
The narrative is 7000 is top half of the United States football playing schools.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

I created the post.
I have posted those numbers throughout the year. For every class.
I live in central time zone and I don’t like either one of these fan bases.
The narrative is 7000 is top half of the United States football playing schools.

What have these fanbases done to you while living in the central time zone?

[Westside]

I created the post.
I have posted those numbers throughout the year. For every class.
I live in central time zone and I don’t like either one of these fan bases.
The narrative is 7000 is top half of the United States football playing schools.

nicker:

[bucslover68]

I created the post.
I have posted those numbers throughout the year. For every class.
I live in central time zone and I don’t like either one of these fan bases.
The narrative is 7000 is top half of the United States football playing schools.

Lots of people don't like winners. No offense to The Tribe but I have rarely heard anyone say they hated East Ridge.

[Iam4thecats]

Lots of people don't like winners. No offense to The Tribe but I have rarely heard anyone say they hated East Ridge.

Fan bases don’t win. East ridge people don’t get on here and run their mouth at people.

[bucslover68]

Fan bases don’t win. East ridge people don’t get on here and run their mouth at people.

They have. Anyway serious question. Unless the forecast changes it looks wet. Who do you think that favor?

[Hound05]

What have these fanbases done to you while living in the central time zone?

They get everything before him? nicker:

Arrogant ET people..... pshhhh

I’m just messing with ya Cats. I know what ya meant buddy

[pjdoug]

nicker:

My exact thoughts. lol

[pjdoug]

They have. Anyway serious question. Unless the forecast changes it looks wet. Who do you think that favor?

Sounds like it will be raining on her parade either way. Some cats like being wet and some don't nicker:

[pjdoug]

They get everything before him? nicker:

Arrogant ET people..... pshhhh

I’m just messing with ya Cats. I know what ya meant buddy

The Corbinite knows.lol

[EKUAlum05]

I cannot shake the feeling that Belfry's Special Teams may be the X-factor in this one.

Belfry's Special Teams are the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde story.

On one hand, the XP kicking has been downright brutal all season to the point it may be wise for the Pirates just to go for two every time because the chances of converting are almost the same. Leaving points off the board in a big game is a recipe for disaster and already hurt Belfry against Pikeville.

Belfry also hasn't exactly been stellar in kick coverage and with the explosiveness Ashland has, a big return could flip this game and field position in their favor.

On the other hand, you probably will not find a more dangerous duo than Dixon and Bentley in the return game. If Belfry could have avoided blocks int he back, these guys may have 6 or 7 punt return TD's by now. Any field able kick has the chance to go for 6.

These two teams both should be able to exploit the other teams weaknesses in some regard on each side of the ball.

I honestly am not sure how this will play out, but I am taking Belfry 26-24 at home and if this were at Ashland I would take the Tomcats 28-20.

[deadfish]

Belfry over Ashland 24-21

[OutlawJoseyWales]

I cannot shake the feeling that Belfry's Special Teams may be the X-factor in this one.

Belfry's Special Teams are the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde story.

On one hand, the XP kicking has been downright brutal all season to the point it may be wise for the Pirates just to go for two every time because the chances of converting are almost the same. Leaving points off the board in a big game is a recipe for disaster and already hurt Belfry against Pikeville.

Belfry also hasn't exactly been stellar in kick coverage and with the explosiveness Ashland has, a big return could flip this game and field position in their favor.

On the other hand, you probably will not find a more dangerous duo than Dixon and Bentley in the return game. If Belfry could have avoided blocks int he back, these guys may have 6 or 7 punt return TD's by now. Any field able kick has the chance to go for 6.

These two teams both should be able to exploit the other teams weaknesses in some regard on each side of the ball.

I honestly am not sure how this will play out, but I am taking Belfry 26-24 at home and if this were at Ashland I would take the Tomcats 28-20.

Agree 100%.

[Hoot Gibson]

Ashland 17-2 all time against Belfry. Let that sink in. A lot of posters on here putting the cart before the horse wondering where Belfry will play after they dismantle Ashland and keep telling yourself Ashland is small! Tomcat's 28-20!!!

That all time record will be no factor in the game. Paintsville has a huge all time edge over Johnson Central but they found their series record was no help once the Matney era arrived.

Ashland has a history of dodging strong Eastern Kentucky teams. The Tomcats deleted JC from their schedule and will face a below average Pirates team (by Belfry's recent very high standard). If Ashland can't get into the state semifinals this season, they may be in for another very long dry spell in their new class. Belfry has the edge in playoff experience, coaching, and they have home field advantage.

Go Bucs!

[Iam4thecats]

I know right. Both teams have played plenty good enough schedules. 48 minutes head to head is what will decide this, not some 7000th ranked team back in August.

If we switch to top 3500 which is what I use for 6a

Belfry 1-3
Ashland 4-2

[irishcard16]

If we switch to top 3500 which is what I use for 6a

Belfry 1-3
Ashland 4-2

You played Spring Valley. End of story. Let’s just call it what it is. Ironton and Wheelersburg aren’t what they have been in the past you must think you’re talking to people without eyeballs. LCA and pikeville are both better than either of them. I have seen all these teams play. In order of opponents played I would rank them like this

Alter
Spring Valley
JC
Pikeville
LCA
Ironton
Wheelersburg
Southwestern
Knox co
Russell
Raceland
East Carter
Greenup co
(All of belfrys district at the bottom in whatever order because they are not good)

[Iam4thecats]

You played Spring Valley. End of story. Let’s just call it what it is. Ironton and Wheelersburg aren’t what they have been in the past you must think you’re talking to people without eyeballs. LCA and pikeville are both better than either of them. I have seen all these teams play. In order of opponents played I would rank them like this

Alter
Spring Valley
JC
Pikeville
LCA
Ironton
Wheelersburg
Southwestern
Knox co
Russell
Raceland
East Carter
Greenup co
(All of belfrys district at the bottom in whatever order because they are not good)

There is no you. AGAIN I live in the central time zone. My cats are the Kentucky Wildcats.

[AngryMob]

After looking at the forecast, Will Ashland be willing to play in the rain? Will the game be moved to a more clear day? To the nearest dome stadium? Or will they just forfeit?

[irishcard16]

There is no you. AGAIN I live in the central time zone. My cats are the Kentucky Wildcats.

I mean I don’t care where you live? Your pounding THEIR drum?

[Iam4thecats]

I mean I don’t care where you live? Your pounding THEIR drum?

Numbers hurt your feelings? I posted the entire remaining states numbers in my original posts. Belfry people like you have taken it as a personal attack. That has nothing to do with me. Play a better schedule next year or win more of them and maybe the Ashland people will be accusing me of being a Belfry fan.

[Iam4thecats]

I mean I don’t care where you live? Your pounding THEIR drum?

I haven't made a prediction in this thread. I haven't commented on a single player, scheme, strength, weakness, or matchup that will effect the outcome of this game. You calling that pounding someones drum means you don't even know what the words mean.

[Patriot1]

They have. Anyway serious question. Unless the forecast changes it looks wet. Who do you think that favor?

He will never answer that question because he has to look for numbers up on wet games for the top 3500 or what ever number. From the times we have posted back and forth he always sticks with the numbers. Like he has no feeling or logical input to a game where feeling and heart of these players have any affect, just RPI numbers.

[irishcard16]

I haven't made a prediction in this thread. I haven't commented on a single player, scheme, strength, weakness, or matchup that will effect the outcome of this game. You calling that pounding someones drum means you don't even know what the words mean.

Okay bud. You win. You’re the man. Next year we will try to schedule more teams in the 6500-7000 range and less in the 7000-7500 range 👍🏻

[irishcard16]

I haven't made a prediction in this thread. I haven't commented on a single player, scheme, strength, weakness, or matchup that will effect the outcome of this game. You calling that pounding someones drum means you don't even know what the words mean.

Since you love numbers so much who has the higher RPI? Asking for a friend.

[Iam4thecats]

Since you love numbers so much who has the higher RPI? Asking for a friend.

You can look that up yourself. Enjoy the game.