Belfry (KY) @ CAK

[ATLCat]

Hello to all the CAK fans on here. Looking forward to discussing the upcoming matchup with you.

 

What can the Pirates look forward to vs. CAK?

[hsfootballfan777]

A dangerous football team if you turn the ball over.Nice fans and great food.I look forward to you coming.Are you bringing a lot of fans??? I love your helmets and hope this is the year your team gets over the hump in the State Title game.For Cak also they are looking at this game as a must win.They have 2 very winable games left on their schedule which will give them 4 wins.They will need to beat either Your Pirates or Alcoa for win 5 and a playoff spot.By the way all but 1 loss could have been a win for Cak.

[Warriors2011]

Hello to all the CAK fans on here. Looking forward to discussing the upcoming matchup with you.

 

What can the Pirates look forward to vs. CAK?

Hi there, ATLCat.  Hopefully, the Warriors will be able to give the Pirates a competitive enough game to make the trip seem worthwhile.  

 

CAK is really at a pivotal point in its season.  A loss this week will be the beginning of the end for any chance the Warriors might have to qualify for the playoffs.  If they don't make it to the playoffs this year, that will be the first time in several years that the team fails to at least make the playoffs.  The Warriors play perennial powerhouse/district rival Alcoa next week, and Alcoa has been killing most of its opponents this year and will certainly go into that game a heavy favorite to beat CAK.  If CAK loses this week and again next week to Alcoa, it's my understanding they would have a VERY difficult time making the playoffs since the best they could hope for would be 4-6 overall and 2-2 in district play.

 

That's a long way of saying it's kind of "do or die" time right now for the Warriors.  As a result, you might see a team that is VERY fired up for the game.  However, this team has been searching for an identity all year.  If the team doesn't have its focus Friday night, it's going to be a long night for the Warriors.

 

As you might have heard, a couple of the 4 losses were very close, one in overtime due to a missed FG (there's much more to the story than the missed FG--the K shouldn't have had to even TRY the FG to tie in OT if our offense had taken care of business when it had 2nd and goal from the 4 in OT, but the offense had a bit of meltdown on the next two plays and had to try the FG which sailed wide).  The other close loss was due to a failed 2-point conversion that would have actually won the game if a questionable call by the officials had gone the other way.  So, they're only a few points and a questionable officiating call away from being 4-2 instead of 2-4.  Lately they've played more like the 2-4 team.

 

Expect to see a team that is very young and, with a few exceptions at certain positions, very inexperienced.  There are some very good players at some positions on both the offensive and defensives units, but as units, both the offense and the defense are still a long way from where they need to be to be a threat to anybody come playoff time.

 

In terms of scheme, you'll see a West Coast Spread offense, alternating between 3 wide and 4 wide.  The base defense is a 4-4 but you might see something totally different if Belfry runs a unique offense.

 

Have a safe trip.  FYI the CAK concession stand serves VERY good hamburgers and also homemade banana pudding, so don't eat too much on the way.  Save some room for the good stuff.

[ATLCat]

Great info guys.. also thanks for the kind words! The entire Belfry fanbase was ecstatic when this game was added upon seeing the pedigree of the Warriors. I think everyone in KY is aware of the prowess of Alcoa and to see a program who has not only played on the same level of Alcoa, but had bested them, was exactly what the Pirates were looking for as they attempted to improve their schedule

 

First some background on the Pirates.. then what you can expect Friday.

 

First of all please don't take any of this as blowing smoke or bragging..just I know I like knowing the background and history of teams so I want to give you that. Belfry is a public, county  3A school in KY.. enrollment typically around 700-750 Grades 9-12. The Pirates have had a rich history in football led by one of the most respected coaches in the nation Phillip Haywood who is KY's All-Time wins leader and among the Top 20 active coaches nationally in wins. The past decade has been the pinnacle of Belfry football as the Pirates have 6 State Finals appearances and 2 State Titles as well as 9/10 Semi-Final appearances. Historically I would consider Belfry probably a Top 15 program overall in the State of KY...nothing remotely close to the level of the State's Powerhouse teams like Trinity, Highlands, etc.

 

As you may already be aware, Belfry has played in the last three 3A Championships and 4 of the last 6.. losing each time to Louisville Central. Three of the four losses have been games that were literally determined by a single play with last year's being the most painful as an extra point being missed ultimately cost the Pirates the title. Central has became a 3A Dynasty and in response to that the Belfry program has attempted to evolve.. chiefly by upping their strength of schedule. That is where CAK comes into play.

 

Belfry enters 6-0 and ranked #1 in 3A.. but as of Sunday, October 6th no one knows what team you will see take the field Friday. Belfry finished this past Friday's game with 8 starters either injured or suspended, as well as their #1 sub at HB and DB. A healthy Belfry team would make for a fantastic game.. but if the team who finished this week's game missing 4/6 of their top skill players, both starting DE's, and both starting Safeties have to take the field then the Warriors may blow Belfry back across the border in major fashion.

 

Belfry typically has arguably one of the best travelling fanbases in KY.. and one of the most passionate groups in general. The looong trip, coupled with the Friday kickoff, will certainly deter the typical Belfry road crowd. I still expect a nice turnout considering the distance as I think a good deal of people plan to make a weekend out of it by staying in the Smokies.

 

Scheme wise Belfry on offense runs primarily out of the flexbone and are a very run dominated team. They have a very smooth customer at QB who runs the option offense to near perfection and has a pretty good arm as well. When healthy Belfry's backfield is deep, talented, and diverse led by a pitbull at FB, a shifty scatback, and a prototype HB with good size. Their starting WR has been one of the most prolific in the state as it seems every other reception is a TD. Belfry's line is never freakishly large, they tend to go with short, stocky linemen with good quickness to pull or get down the line.

 

Defensively Belfry will run essentially a hybrid of a 5-2 and a 3-4. Most KY teams are run heavy so Belfry's base defense by nature is designed for tall, athletic DE's who put their hand on the ground. Against spread offenses you typically see those same DE's simply stand up in order to play the pass more effectively and better read the play in case of run.

 

If any of you guys want to there is a massive Belfry contingent on bluegrassrivals.com (Mods if this link is not ok feel free to remove it)

[gcapride]

If Belfry has a strong running attack and can execute after the 4 hour trip, I look for the Pirates to win. CAK isn't very good against the run. I did see where you said most teams in KY are run oriented. That could prove difficult for the Pirates and play into the hands of the CAK offense. They will throw it all over the place, in any situation. CAK was blown out by Webb, and created a couple of turnovers against GCA or that would have been a blowout. Credit to their defense for causing those turnovers. Webb and GCA prevailed with a run heavy offense. That said, it's a LONG way from Belfry to CAK. If you can line them up and grind it out, Belfry will win.

[ATLCat]

If Belfry has a strong running attack and can execute after the 4 hour trip, I look for the Pirates to win. CAK isn't very good against the run. I did see where you said most teams in KY are run oriented. That could prove difficult for the Pirates and play into the hands of the CAK offense. They will throw it all over the place, in any situation. CAK was blown out by Webb, and created a couple of turnovers against GCA or that would have been a blowout. Credit to their defense for causing those turnovers. Webb and GCA prevailed with a run heavy offense. That said, it's a LONG way from Belfry to CAK. If you can line them up and grind it out, Belfry will win.

The run is Belfry's forte and they do it very well. With that said, Belfry's success is going to be predicated on the injuries suffered.

 

Pass defense has always been a bug-a-boo of Belfry. The Pirates have some nice players in this year's secondary, but the coaching staff's general philosophy has always been sort of a bend but don't break philosophy where they focus on taking away very specific aspects of a team's offense and looking to pounce once a team makes a mistake either by turnover, blown assignment, or crucial penalty.

 

The one thing you can always expect from Belfry is a very fundamentally sound team who has the ability to pop the homerun with one blown assignment on defense, but their bread and butter is a death by a thousand cuts picking teams apart 4 yards at a time.

 

Here are some youtube videos about Belfry for some perspective:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsJQJjYMhzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH23wPCIxO8

 

This is from the Semi's a few years back but gives you an idea of Belfry's offensive and defensive schemes (Belfry ran the wishbone in 07 FWIW):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuJIu3BL4dg

Edited October 7, 2013 by ATLCat

[ATLCat]

Quick update:

 

Belfry's injury situation is still in the air, but as of Monday

* Indicates a Starter

 

Probable:
*FB/*DE Austin Hatfield- Belfry's All-State candidate FB

*WR/*CB Keaton Taylor- Belfry's very productive WR

*S Caleb Edwards

 

Questionable/Doubtful:

*HB Justin Johnson- Belfry's top HB and leading rusher

*DE Austin Hall

 

Out:

DE Jacob Francisco

*S Cameron Johnson (suspension)

HB/DB Xondre Willis- Top sub at HB and CB, also top kick returner

 

Hatfield and Taylor are critical. Hatfield is the straw that stirs the drink at FB and Taylor is a homerun threat. Taylor and Edwards are desperately welcome help for a secondary about to face a spread team the likes of CAK.  Belfry aready be without their top Safety and their Nickel Back, having both starting corners and their other Safety is desperately needed.

 

Justin Johnson is the one to watch now. He is averaging over 10 yards per carry for his career and is a tough back to defend. Hall is a Freshman and very talented, but losing him will not be a major blow now that Hatfield is looking like he can go.

[ATLCat]

Final

Belfry 27

CAK 20

 

Great game Warriors! Your team played with a ton of heart!

 

Wish you could have seen Belfry at full strength but this game was invaluable for the experience our guys got against a darn fine football team. That Freshman QB will be special!

 

Absolutely nothing but reports of CAK being absolutely first class and one of the most hospitable hosts Belfry has ever played at. After the whole KHSAA controversy with handshakes for both teams to pray together was an awesome sight. Really look forward to hosting you guys next year to return the favor. You have a very young team and have some great days ahead over the next couple years.

[ExSpartan]

I read where CAK started a freshman QB because their coach suspended the starter because he violated an in season practice policy. What on earth is that? Is he suspended for good this season?

[hsfootballfan777]

When you are playing a sport(say volleyball) then you can't practice for another sport(say basketball) until the season you are currently playing is complete

[ExSpartan]

Is that a TSSAA rule or CAK rule?

[JuniorsDad]

When you are playing a sport(say volleyball) then you can't practice for another sport(say basketball) until the season you are currently playing is complete

 

I have seen this "rule" selectively enforced in the past.