[EKUAlum05]

Pburg was the better team this point of the season. Belfry dooms themselves with special teams turnovers, a blown coverage, and a pair of dropped passes.

Good way to start the season for the Blackcats..Jamerson has a solid all around game and Crisp gets the job done.

[CatDawg]

Nice win for Pburg congrats. Kinda surprised with Belfry only putting up six points.

[Hilbily]

WOW! Belfry walked into a buzzsaw!!

[Benchwarmer]

Dang. Congrats P'burg

[FOX SPORTS]

believe the score should have been 21-6

[PHS_JT]

Congratulations Blackcats nice opening win on the road especially at Pond Creek that's a great way to start off any season and I wish you all the best of luck and continued success keep the tradition alive like it was when I had the opportunity of playing football for Prestonsburg High school...and surely don't take it for granted boys enjoy it while it lasts cause it doesn't last forever trust me I graduated in 2007 and I would give anything to be able to play again..so keep up the good work and make you all some memories this season...

[oneijoe]

This sounded like one of the rare times Prestonsburg matched up with Belfry in the trenches. When the Blackcats do that, they almost always take the game.

On offense, Crisp handled the QB position competently, not flashy, but did what he was supposed to without making big errors. Jamerson VERY effective on sweeps. The defense seemed pretty solid throughout as Belfry broke no big gainers.

It's just the 1st game for both teams. We all know these two will get better as the season progresses.


And YES... the final score was 21-6.

[Alpha_Male]

Congrats P-burg. How is there offense, is it more run or pass?

For Belfry how did David Jones' brother play? Did sani Warren play any?

[oneijoe]

Prestonsburg runs about 65/35 run to pass.

The announcers mentioned Belfry's defense was "guessing" at one point in the 2nd half. That's a sure sign P-burg's offense was operating as intended.

[BCF4L]

Congrats Blackcats. Glad to see Crisp step in and show that he is capable of taking over for Burchett. They answered many questions tonight. Looks like another good looking Blackcat football squad.

[cuppett777]

WOW, is all i can say..congrtas to the Black on 2 in a row...sounds like the Pirates have a lot of work to do..

[hawg laig]

Great win by the Blackcats. Gotta give props and congratulations to the O-Line for P-burg. They looked solid all night long. Super job by the boys in the trenches.

[cuppett777]

Great win by the Blackcats. Gotta give props and congratulations to the O-Line for P-burg. They looked solid all night long. Super job by the boys in the trenches.

heard the just plain stuffed the run...

[BlackcatAlum]

Just like last season, I'm quite surprised with this Prestonsburg team. Didn't know what to expect coming into this season, like last.

Like 'oneijoe' said, Crisp wasn't flashy but he he got the job done and didn't have any turnovers. Jamerson and Williams both looked great tonight and so did Collins carrying the ball. Our offensive line is actually pretty big and they opened up some nice holes for the running game. Our defense was stout as always, as they only give up 63 yards to Belfry in the first half on the ground. I think Belfry ended up with around 220 rushing yards altogether.

I'll have to admit though, this isn't you typical Belfry team many are used to seeing. They have some very good looking players, it just seems like they don't play with any fire under them at all.

Congrats Blackcats.... best of luck Pirates on the rest of the season!

[cat86]

Pond Creek observations:

1) Prestonsburg looked good on defense. Our front 4, once they got the jitters out of their systems, played very tough. Prestonsburg's D line averages about 260 and is VERY quick. Belfry had some early success running right up the gut, but after some minor tweaking on behalf of the Cats, that was effectively shut down. Later in the game, Belfry had better success on the option and getting to the corner, but I can only remember 1 big play. This is typical for the Blackcat defense: bend but don't break. Lots of missed tackles tonight, and a few technique errors, but over all a very, very nice effort on behalf of the defense. Anytime you hold Belfry to 6 points at home, you deserve an RC Cola and a Moon Pie.

2) Offensively, Prestonsburg really shocked me with how capable they ran their sets. Crisp missed alot of practice time this week nursing a sprained ankle, but you never would have known it by watching. Play calling was superb, and the Cats mixed the run and the pass very effectively. Of course, the O line of the Cats gave Crisp plenty of time to throw. He was sacked only once, and hurried only once that I can recall. Cain Collins ran like a tank, and Bryson Williams had a big game. Williams is not a pure burner, but he is a very good runner between the tackles, snaking through holes. The move of last year's starting center, Alex Griffith, to TE paid dividends, as the Cats had good success on the Jet Sweep to his and OT Alex Garner's side. Griffith also had a key 4th down run to gain a first down.

3) Special teams and turnovers killed Belfry, pure and simple. Botched punts, mishandled kickoff returns, and what appeared to be general apathy had the Pirate offense starting in a hole all night whenever they did not fumble. Let me say this up front: There is ALOT of talent on this Belfry team. It is young, and it will take some time to mesh, but they will be a dangerous, dangerous team by the end of the year.

4) When you take away the special teams play, and consider strictly Belfry's offense vs. Prestonsburg's defense, and Belfry's defense against Prestonsburg's offense, it was really a closer game than the score indicated. The game played out exactly how it had to in order for the Cats to get the win: Get on top early and force Belfry to play catch-up. This early in the year, Belfry's offense has not progressed to the point where they can score in bunches, and if you put them in a hole, you stand a pretty good chance of winning the game. It really comes down to offensive philosophies. That adds another element to this already intense rivalry: Prestonsburg throwing the ball all over the place vs. Belfry lining up and making you stop the run.

5) Big props to Prestonsburg senior Nathan Slone. He played a superb corner, had an interception, and had a very nice kickoff return. Great to see this young guy do so well.

Belfry will be dangerous, and anyone who thinks otherwise is foolish. They will improve, eliminate the mistakes, and win alot of games.

Prestonsburg has shown that they, too, can reload after losing an outstanding senior class from last year. The Blackcat defense is full of big, quick players who like to hit.

Great game by both teams. Great way to open the season, and good luck to both programs for the rest of the year.

[cuppett777]

Pond Creek observations:

1) Prestonsburg looked good on defense. Our front 4, once they got the jitters out of their systems, played very tough. Prestonsburg's D line averages about 260 and is VERY quick. Belfry had some early success running right up the gut, but after some minor tweaking on behalf of the Cats, that was effectively shut down. Later in the game, Belfry had better success on the option and getting to the corner, but I can only remember 1 big play. This is typical for the Blackcat defense: bend but don't break. Lots of missed tackles tonight, and a few technique errors, but over all a very, very nice effort on behalf of the defense. Anytime you hold Belfry to 6 points at home, you deserve an RC Cola and a Moon Pie.

2) Offensively, Prestonsburg really shocked me with how capable they ran their sets. Crisp missed alot of practice time this week nursing a sprained ankle, but you never would have known it by watching. Play calling was superb, and the Cats mixed the run and the pass very effectively. Of course, the O line of the Cats gave Crisp plenty of time to throw. He was sacked only once, and hurried only once that I can recall. Cain Collins ran like a tank, and Bryson Williams had a big game. Williams is not a pure burner, but he is a very good runner between the tackles, snaking through holes. The move of last year's starting center, Alex Griffith, to TE paid dividends, as the Cats had good success on the Jet Sweep to his and OT Alex Garner's side. Griffith also had a key 4th down run to gain a first down.

3) Special teams and turnovers killed Belfry, pure and simple. Botched punts, mishandled kickoff returns, and what appeared to be general apathy had the Pirate offense starting in a hole all night whenever they did not fumble. Let me say this up front: There is ALOT of talent on this Belfry team. It is young, and it will take some time to mesh, but they will be a dangerous, dangerous team by the end of the year.

4) When you take away the special teams play, and consider strictly Belfry's offense vs. Prestonsburg's defense, and Belfry's defense against Prestonsburg's offense, it was really a closer game than the score indicated. The game played out exactly how it had to in order for the Cats to get the win: Get on top early and force Belfry to play catch-up. This early in the year, Belfry's offense has not progressed to the point where they can score in bunches, and if you put them in a hole, you stand a pretty good chance of winning the game. It really comes down to offensive philosophies. That adds another element to this already intense rivalry: Prestonsburg throwing the ball all over the place vs. Belfry lining up and making you stop the run.

5) Big props to Prestonsburg senior Nathan Slone. He played a superb corner, had an interception, and had a very nice kickoff return. Great to see this young guy do so well.

Belfry will be dangerous, and anyone who thinks otherwise is foolish. They will improve, eliminate the mistakes, and win alot of games.

Prestonsburg has shown that they, too, can reload after losing an outstanding senior class from last year. The Blackcat defense is full of big, quick players who like to hit.

Great game by both teams. Great way to open the season, and good luck to both programs for the rest of the year.

good post

[More Cowbell]

After so many years of wanting to see this old rivalry restarted, and then once it does Prestonsburg reels off two straight wins! I must say I am shocked.

It is one thing for the Blackcats win this game at home, like they did last year. But to go into Pond Creek and knock off the Pirates? Very impressive. Looks like Prestonsburg may be a contender to advance deep into the 2A playoffs.

Congrats both teams!

[mrfootball03]

Before I post, I must say I am Belfry fan. BUT I speak things how I see them.

This team is, well, to be honest not a good football team right now. I know its the first game, and they will improve, but they have alot of problem areas. During most of the game, P'Burg would overload one side with 3 or 4 recievers and use Jamerson on the opposite to make a play. Most of the time it left the corners just guessing where to go. Belfrys secondary was slow to react, and seemed a little overwhelmed. Crisp picked that poor secondary apart basically hitting recievers at will.

Belfrys offense definitely is a work in progress. They seemed to move the ball at the beginning of thier first possesion before they ran out of steam, and seemed to start picking up a little in the 4th. In between that time was slim pickens' though. I was not impressed with the Pruitt kid. Yes you can tell he his quick, but besides that he doesn't seem to posess much more. Just don't seem to have the playmaker knack, and kinda gives up on plays. I really couldnt understand why Coach Haywood would run him up the middle, and leave the sweeps and options to #20. The #3 kid looked to run the ball well. Seemed to have good vision of the field and was better able to read blocks and wait for the play to develope. I was dissapointed I didn't get to see the freshman QB everyone has been talking about in action. But watching him throw during halftime it looks like the kid has a really nice arm. He seemed to have a lightning quick release and accurate. If he has the smarts and talent to go with that, I wouldn't doubt him taking over QB before the end of the season.

And I say that not taking anything away from Prestonsburg. They have a really good football team. Crisp & Jamerson are gonna be apart of alot of TD's together this year. Prestonsburg is a really well coached team, and it shows. Belfry and P'Burg have each had thier times being better than one another, But this year Prestonsburg is the better team. All bets are off for next year though because Belfry seems to have some serious freshman talent!

[hawkeye]

This is not the Belfry team as in the past. The Blackcats was the better team tonight.

[Matman]

The #3 and #5 kids for Belfry look good. #5 really seem to get 4 yards every time he touched the ball. However I seen some play watching and poor blocking at times(not from 3 or 5). Usually Belfry executes alot better. I think once they see the game film they will have some easy fixes and will be a good team by the end of the season.

[BelfryJustice]

Belfry failed to score when they had chances in the first half. They also failed to get on the fumbles that they caused in the game early. I do have to say that this P-burg team has a chance to be a special team this year. I do believe that Belfry has a lot more work to do at this point in the season after last nights showing. :HitWall:

[asecret]

I agree with those of you who say Belfry has a lot of talent.This talent will show up later on .After watching the game film they will also see their costly first game mistakes.Don't rule the pruitt kid out .He did make some blunders but he was certainly not alone .He is talented and this too will come to play.I was disappointed with the lose but it may make this team work harder to prove they can be the TEAM that is so traditional of BELFRY.GOOD LUCK Belfry players,coaches and staff.We the fans will stick with you no matter what .....

[PaytoPlay]

Haywood may have to shuffle some guys around. I would put Willis (3) at FB and move Runyon (5) back to RB. Runyon isn't real fast, but he is a good strong kid who could benefit from a lead blocker.

[Matman]

Haywood may have to shuffle some guys around. I would put Willis (3) at FB and move Runyon (5) back to RB. Runyon isn't real fast, but he is a good strong kid who could benefit from a lead blocker.

I thought something similar. But I would reverse it. #5 seemed to be a better runner north to south. The #3 seemed to have better lateral movement. But they both looked good. They could deffinately have done some damage with both of them in the game.

[EKUAlum05]

My Thoughts:

BELFRY
1. The most important thing to note, with any Belfry team, is patience from the fans. The final product is never what you see at the start of the season. Come October this will be an entirely different Belfry team. In most year's past this would be Belfry's 2nd scrimmage... thus it is expected to see mistakes that would have been receiving correction during the said scrimmage. Things like falling on fumbles, picking up your man at the LOS, and more importantly when and when not to field a punt.

2.Speaking of which, Belfry's special teams are absolutely deficient right now.Those two fumbled punts were huge.. both were after Pburg's initial possessions in the 1st and 2nd Half which Belfry forced 3 and outs. One directly resulted in 7 points, the other flipped the field position. On top of that, Belfry's kicking game is a mere shadow of the past 5 or 6 years... don't discount the significance of this in close games sure to come. This is the one area I just can't see Belfry overcoming this year and remaining a hindrance all year.

3. Belfry's biggest issue right now is their lack of "home run" ability. Runyon did his part averaging 4-5 yards a carry, but he doesn't have the Dustin May ability to turn a 5 yard run into a 50 yarder. The backs have the ability, but they don't have the timing or the small details yet. Either the line "over blocks" and get too far ahead of the play, or the backs don't hit the hole hard enough. Pruitt has got to get North and South.. Carroll's patience and confidence in his blocks started to show in the 2nd Half as Belfry started getting 16 yard runs instead of minimal gains.

4. Defensively Pburg killed Belfry for the 2nd straight year going wide on either the sweep with Jamerson or the Jet. The DE's and LB's have got to shed blockers and get the proper angle. What happens as a result is the DB's have to compensate by reacting to motion and making their first step toward the backfield... on pass plays this means they instantly lose two steps to the WR, and on short routes like Pburg were using this spelled curtains.


PBURG
1. Pburg fans have to be impressed with the efficiency that their offense operated with this early. Great balance, multiple players making plays, and a QB who played within himself. His read on the Jamerson blown coverage was the play of the game. Nice foundation to work off of, and the line controlled Belfry.

2. The biggest concern for Pburg on offense is their vertical passing game. Burchett was so tough because he could hurt you running, passing short, and deep. Crisp has enough weapons to compensate for the running, he looked good passing short, but the deep ball may not be there.

3. Defensively Pburg flowed sideline to sideline very well and really gave Belfry's option fits. Belfry had good success on quick hitter sup the middle, but the Pburg quickness was evidence as they really disrupted Belfry's misdirection. The one cause for concern was that Belfry had two TD's which would have tied the game potentially that were dropped. This will happen when you have ten in the box, but these guys were wide open and if they could have made the play we may have seen a different outcome.

4. Pburg took their foot off the gas for the 2nd straight year. With the mistakes Belfry made, and the fact Pburg is a better team right now, they could have turned a relatively close game into a blowout.. but it seemed the defense became a bit lax and so did Pburg's offensive execution (in particular the 2nd and inches they could not convert). I will chalk that up to first game mistakes, but nonetheless they need to develop that killer instinct.

[cuppett777]

good post,if they dont get those small things fixed,they could start 0-4, depends on what Holy Cross has, we know Asland and LCC are going be tough..

[Belfry Wins]

My Thoughts:

BELFRY
1. The most important thing to note, with any Belfry team, is patience from the fans. The final product is never what you see at the start of the season. Come October this will be an entirely different Belfry team. In most year's past this would be Belfry's 2nd scrimmage... thus it is expected to see mistakes that would have been receiving correction during the said scrimmage. Things like falling on fumbles, picking up your man at the LOS, and more importantly when and when not to field a punt.

2.Speaking of which, Belfry's special teams are absolutely deficient right now.Those two fumbled punts were huge.. both were after Pburg's initial possessions in the 1st and 2nd Half which Belfry forced 3 and outs. One directly resulted in 7 points, the other flipped the field position. On top of that, Belfry's kicking game is a mere shadow of the past 5 or 6 years... don't discount the significance of this in close games sure to come. This is the one area I just can't see Belfry overcoming this year and remaining a hindrance all year.

3. Belfry's biggest issue right now is their lack of "home run" ability. Runyon did his part averaging 4-5 yards a carry, but he doesn't have the Dustin May ability to turn a 5 yard run into a 50 yarder. The backs have the ability, but they don't have the timing or the small details yet. Either the line "over blocks" and get too far ahead of the play, or the backs don't hit the hole hard enough. Pruitt has got to get North and South.. Carroll's patience and confidence in his blocks started to show in the 2nd Half as Belfry started getting 16 yard runs instead of minimal gains.

4. Defensively Pburg killed Belfry for the 2nd straight year going wide on either the sweep with Jamerson or the Jet. The DE's and LB's have got to shed blockers and get the proper angle. What happens as a result is the DB's have to compensate by reacting to motion and making their first step toward the backfield... on pass plays this means they instantly lose two steps to the WR, and on short routes like Pburg were using this spelled curtains.


PBURG
1. Pburg fans have to be impressed with the efficiency that their offense operated with this early. Great balance, multiple players making plays, and a QB who played within himself. His read on the Jamerson blown coverage was the play of the game. Nice foundation to work off of, and the line controlled Belfry.

2. The biggest concern for Pburg on offense is their vertical passing game. Burchett was so tough because he could hurt you running, passing short, and deep. Crisp has enough weapons to compensate for the running, he looked good passing short, but the deep ball may not be there.

3. Defensively Pburg flowed sideline to sideline very well and really gave Belfry's option fits. Belfry had good success on quick hitter sup the middle, but the Pburg quickness was evidence as they really disrupted Belfry's misdirection. The one cause for concern was that Belfry had two TD's which would have tied the game potentially that were dropped. This will happen when you have ten in the box, but these guys were wide open and if they could have made the play we may have seen a different outcome.

4. Pburg took their foot off the gas for the 2nd straight year. With the mistakes Belfry made, and the fact Pburg is a better team right now, they could have turned a relatively close game into a blowout.. but it seemed the defense became a bit lax and so did Pburg's offensive execution (in particular the 2nd and inches they could not convert). I will chalk that up to first game mistakes, but nonetheless they need to develop that killer instinct.

From what I saw he's going to be a big play back. People got to realize although he's a senior this is his first game with Belfry. He's got to learn to read blocks and make the right cuts, if he did that lastnight he would have scored a couple of big plays. But I think he's going to have a great season.
Like yous aid though people need to be patient with this team, I also heard last year they would start 0-4, they will be mroe than fine and better than last year I think.
Last season the offense looked better and defense looked fine now the offense looks shaky and the defense looks good, and thats fine because offense comes.
But your dead on about the kicking game, that will be a hard problem to fix.

[Pirate]

The talent was there on both teams, the preparation wasn't. I was really impressed with the ability of P-burg's recievers to read the secondary. All night long I watch them break off routes to split the defense and sit in gaps in the secondary. When you have recievers who understand the game like that it makes it easy for a quarter back. The 2 fumbles killed the Pirates. It causes them to go down by 14 points and scoring in a hurry isn't something the pirates are famous for. There were several things I was upset with in the game but more than anything it was the decisions the coaching staff were making. All Belfry faithful are probably going to hate me for say that. First thing is the lack of preparation. I mean fumble one punt... shame on the player... fumble a second punt... where was the coaching? Coach should of said, "get away from it unless all you see is red jerseys." Secondly, you're down 14 points before the half, you get the ball back around the 35 with 40ish seconds left on the clock. Why do you run 2 times up the middle? Thirdly, at the end of the game, down 14 points, 2 time outs left, 1 minute 30ish seconds left, it takes them FOREVER to get plays in, they don't try to get out of bounds, I mean wow! I was not at all dissappointed in the effort put forth by the Pirates in this game... but I was dissappointed in the lack of organization and preparation displayed by them.

[troubles]

#2 is a senior,i guess we will wait to they play e.r. for the big game.

[School Admin.]

I watched the replay of this game just now and I saw a few things.

Prestonsburg
1. Did things very well, not flashy, not showy, but good execution and ran their offense very well. I think Jamerson is a heck of an athlete, but they have a couple other kids that play hard too.
2. Offensive line blocked well, pretty good size and moved very well, did a good job up front vs. Belfry
3. Defense needs a little work, I know that may sound silly seeing how they gave up 6 points, but it could have been worse. P-Burg was a little soft between the tackles and the secondary was out of position a few times, Belfry dropped a couple of TD passes. I thought P-Burg did a good job, for the most part vs. the option, they forced pitches very early and made the QB back up due to good penetration.

Belfry
1. Looked VERY YOUNG to me
2. Looked like they had some potential, but need work in many areas.
3. No question they will improve through the year and it looks like they will be good in the future, but this might be a growing year for Belfry.
4. It also looked to me as though they weren't as fired up about playing like I have seen them in the past, it might be due to them being kind of young.