[EKUAlum05]

If you wouldn't care could you go into intricate detail and explain to us all as to what the defenencies in technique are for Johnson Central's linemen are as opposed to Belfry's.

Let's use JC's favorite phrase about this game to answer:
Watch last year's game....

Seriously I don't know enough about JC's technique to pass judgement myself this year, but last year when Belfry was on defense it appeared (key word) to me that their pad level and quickness were a mismatch for JC's size and footwork. Belfry's undersized DT's constantly filled the primary gaps and exloited JC's wide splits. Belfry's DE's kept containment and collapsed inside when needed, and had too much strength for the JC OT's and was able to overpower when needed to penetrate off the corner. Belfry's LB's then were in perfect position to either clean up the play or pursue, whichever was needed.

Conversely, Belfry's O-line constantly caught JC D-lineman and LB's who were more content with speed rushing (Dials played a great game, but he was attacked everytime he overcommited to a play) or trying to overpower directly through the Lineman blocking them, and typically was able to divert them out of the pocket or force them to overcommit to the play.

They key to all this though is first of all, Belfry no longer has Phillip Hickman who single handidly ate the JC offense alive at DT. The Pirates also lost Adam Bowens at DE and Dustin May at LB.. those are three fantastic players with alot of speed and experience. Secondly, you don't get whipped as bad on the o-line as JC did last year and not make some major improvements. Burchett will have ample adjustments for what Belfry did last season as they put on a clinic on how to stop the wishbone.

On the other side of the ball, the Pirates aren't as big and strong in the backfield as last season where they can simply bull over JC for 4 yards a play. The Pirates have an excellent line, but there have been some major changes and some new faces who ahve came along who have not played in a game this calibur against a team like JC.