[Hound05]

From watching film on London Stephaney, does anyone else think he looks like a high school version of Lamar Jackson? Not saying he's gonna be the next Lamar after high school but just at the high school level with his speed and elusiveness?

**based on last year, haven’t seen him this year much***

He has lamars running ability. Obviously not as good but very similar in the way they play on their respective levels. If nothing is there he can tuck and run with the best in HS. Last year his weakness was middle to long passes. I’ve been told by bell fans he has gotten better at it this year. I know our defense would try to seal the edges to keep him in the pocket and make him beat you throwing it. But he’s got the skill and vision to run it right up the middle on you as well. I’d say belfry will try to do the same thing and make him beat you passing it. He played defense last year as well, don’t know if he is this year, but who ever he was gaurd if, we sent on a post route every play to kill his legs on offense. It worked, he was down cramping a lot!

[pjdoug]

Dougie.....I agree. Game will be physical both ways. Should be a good old fashioned knock down drag out.

it should be fun to watch. I hope I get to see it.

[Football Scout]

I hope it’s fun to watch but I think Belfry will win going away. Belfry wins big 35-14.

[pjdoug]

It’s not terrible, they defend the deep ball well, Birchfield will make you regret throwing deep, Bentley is a good defender and hits really hard as well. Mounts and Ashurst provide great support from the LB spots. Where Belfry struggles has been the intermediate passing defense. Short quick passes get them off balance. At least that’s where Pikeville got them and where Pike Central was able to find some success early in their first matchup.

I saw the Johnson Central QB get a big run against Belfry. is it rare that that happens? I've not watched Belfry play in a long time.

[snapcat91]

Bell’s Defense has actually played much better against the better teams they have played!! Seems they rise to the occasion when they are tested by the better opponents and play lackadaisical against weak teams!!

[pjdoug]

**based on last year, haven’t seen him this year much***

He has lamars running ability. Obviously not as good but very similar in the way they play on their respective levels. If nothing is there he can tuck and run with the best in HS. Last year his weakness was middle to long passes. I’ve been told by bell fans he has gotten better at it this year. I know our defense would try to seal the edges to keep him in the pocket and make him beat you throwing it. But he’s got the skill and vision to run it right up the middle on you as well. I’d say belfry will try to do the same thing and make him beat you passing it. He played defense last year as well, don’t know if he is this year, but who ever he was gaurd if, we sent on a post route every play to kill his legs on offense. It worked, he was down cramping a lot!

He has improved and still plays on defense. Belfry ain't gonna send a blocker downfield on a post rout every play. lol

[Piratefan#40]

I agree

[Do-double-gg]

Belfry had a much tougher schedule all the way up to the end of Friday night's game but let me play devil's advocate. Can a strong bruising schedule sometimes take a toll out on a team. I'm sure Bell has had plenty of blowout style games where their star players got plenty of rest. Some times a team can be physically and mentally drained late in season just in time for the championship game. Bell coming into this game perfectly health with no one banged up very much and a bounce in their step could be an advantage. Belfry could come in to this thing drained and banged up and look flat as a flitter. With all that said I'm still taking Belfry.

Belfry- 21


Bell- 17

[Do-double-gg]

It is always a good year when we have 6 teams representing the mountains. It's a great thing to see 1A and 3A dominated by the mountains. I said in a post a few years ago that mountain football was slowly catching up to teams with great programs up North and out West and a few laughed at me. I don't think anyone is laughing now. We are guaranteed at least 2 champions and as many as 4.

[BellMiddle]

It is always a good year when we have 6 teams representing the mountains. It's a great thing to see 1A and 3A dominated by the mountains. I said in a post a few years ago that mountain football was slowly catching up to teams with great programs up North and out West and a few laughed at me. I don't think anyone is laughing now. We are guaranteed at least 2 champions and as many as 4.

Yes finally someone who can see how important this means to all our communities! So many claim the RPI sucks and what not when really it’s finally allowing the mountain teams to reach farther than just a regional or semi state and beat eachother out. Pikeville paintsville bell and belfry are the best of their classes, and for so many years they meet in the third round of the playoffs(been a while since bell and belfry however). But this is such a great thing for everyone in the mountains to take pride and say that us “rednecks” can play some football.

[Bossdaddy 4115]

belfry 35-14

[Otis Campbell]

Belfry 21
Bell county 14

[Bossdaddy 4115]

I have a question to the bell fans. IF Belfry wins are your past comments about runner ups the same or change?

[AngryMob]

The Belfry defense has a tough challenge. Stephney is a special kind of player. However, through 4 playoff games they’ve allowed a total of 7 points in regulation. A good performance here would put that defense in all time talks. I know they gave up 53 to JC, but nothing matters til November.

[jax]

Y'all keep picking Belfry in a blowout. I'm loving it.

[Hound05]

He has improved and still plays on defense. Belfry ain't gonna send a blocker downfield on a post rout every play. lol

Hahahaha. I just thought about that hahaha. You’re right though😂

[Hound05]

Yes finally someone who can see how important this means to all our communities! So many claim the RPI sucks and what not when really it’s finally allowing the mountain teams to reach farther than just a regional or semi state and beat eachother out. Pikeville paintsville bell and belfry are the best of their classes, and for so many years they meet in the third round of the playoffs(been a while since bell and belfry however). But this is such a great thing for everyone in the mountains to take pride and say that us “rednecks” can play some football.

Everyone that claims RPI sucks over the past method is just salty. That or they jumped the gun with the early rankings of it. It’s not made to analyze the best teams mid season. Now does it have its downfalls? Yep. But hopefully they’ll take what they have and edit or add to it to make it even better. There’s a whole lot better metrics out there than RPI. But I still like it

[64SUR]

4th down and 2 will come backed to bite bell in this game or 4th and 5 hh:

[99PIRATEFAN]

I’ve watched Belfry of course and they are playing there best ball right now I watched Bell on film really good size definitely not the most athletic team we’ve played but there tough and physical it will be a battle in the end I think Belfry wins by 14

[fridaynightfights]

I didn’t message board in 08 but going back and looking at the schedule I’d imagine a lot of the same stuff being said here was being said about Bell County then too when they played Boyle in the semis, weak schedule, not most athletic team we’ve played, blah blah blah. Well we beat Boyle then and I believe we can beat Belfry now. I don’t for a second believe we will blow Belfry out, and I do believe Belfry can beat us, but neither team is winning by 3 or 4 scores like some on here are saying.

[pjdoug]

Hahahaha. I just thought about that hahaha. You’re right though😂

A toss sweep is a Hail Mary at Belfry. lol

[Hound05]

A toss sweep is a Hail Mary at Belfry. lol

The way they run that veer, throwing in an RPO here and there could be deadly.

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

Pike County Sweeps on Friday!
Belfry-28
Bell-14
Gonna be Hillbilly Days in December @ Kroger Field!!!

[four quarters]

Is the Callebs kid injured for Bell or will he be playing?

[Runrunrun]

Belfry wins this going away I’ve watched Bells last 2 games and the qb is phenomenal but they have yet to play anyone like Belfry. Fleming was average at best and got 300 yards on them and Taylor co had a great back but couldn’t tackle me if I was running the ball and I’m old and fat! You’ve had a great season but it ends with a runner up trophy and a thanks for commin

[cuppett777]

The way they run that veer, throwing in an RPO here and there could be deadly.

wish they would about 10 times a game,lol

[Westside]

Belfry is entering this game the favorite and rightfully so, and I would say Dudley Hilton is loving it because that is exactly where he wants to be. Keep in mind that he entered the playoffs in 1997 with a Bourbon County team that had finished 3rd in their district and not ranked in the top 10 in class 2A. Dudley lead that team to a state championship that included a win over Chuck Smith's Boyle County Rebels. I'm not prediçting a Bell County win because Phillip Haywood knows a thing or two about winning championships, but Dudley is where he wants to be. He is a master motivator and is entering the state championship as the underdog. They are also taking on a team coming off a long road trip that included an emotional, double overtime win. That can take a toll on a team. I think the game will be close. I won't be surprised with a Bell County win, but I do think Belfry is the favorite for a reason and pulls out the victory.

[BellCo18]

Belfry is entering this game the favorite and rightfully so, and I would say Dudley Hilton is loving it because that is exactly where he wants to be. Keep in mind that he entered the playoffs in 1997 with a Bourbon County team that had finished 3rd in their district and not ranked in the top 10 in class 2A. Dudley lead that team to a state championship that included a win over Chuck Smith's Boyle County Rebels. I'm not prediçting a Bell County win because Phillip Haywood knows a thing or two about winning championships, but Dudley is where he wants to be. He is a master motivator and is entering the state championship as the underdog. They are also taking on a team coming off a long road trip that included an emotional, double overtime win. That can take a toll on a team. I think the game will be close. I won't be surprised with a Bell County win, but I do think Belfry is the favorite for a reason and pulls out the victory.

Don’t forget Dudley is 3-0 in State Championship games as well.

[Mr cold74]

Belfry by 21

[fridaynightfights]

Can’t wait to watch all the way crow is eaten come Friday night. Ready for it now!