[WideRight05]

Belfry used to smack highlands around however it would be a completely different ball game this year.

And just when was this?

[bucslover68]

And just when was this?

They did smack them around once in 1990, 38-7, and they beat them for the first time at Highlands in 1979 in the state semis 14-8. Highlands had two blowout wins in the 60s and Belfry lost an OT game 21-14 in the semis to HHS in 89. Not a bad record against the Birds if you ask me, but it is a limited number of games. Belfry might not beat HHS these days, but they sure wouldn't back down and especially this year, when healthy I must say, they could hold their own. HHS offense would cause a lot of problems, but Belfry could move the ball on HHS, IMO, and it would come down to how much the Pirates could capitalize if they got scoring opportunities. But all this is just fodder for debate. Belfry has their place in history and it's a pretty good one and IMO after this year and over the next 10 years that place will be elevated significantly.

[WideRight05]

They did smack them around once in 1990, 38-7, and they beat them for the first time at Highlands in 1979 in the state semis 14-8. Highlands had two blowout wins in the 60s and Belfry lost an OT game 21-14 in the semis to HHS in 89. Not a bad record against the Birds if you ask me, but it is a limited number of games. Belfry might not beat HHS these days, but they sure wouldn't back down and especially this year, when healthy I must say, they could hold their own. HHS offense would cause a lot of problems, but Belfry could move the ball on HHS, IMO, and it would come down to how much the Pirates could capitalize if they got scoring opportunities. But all this is just fodder for debate. Belfry has their place in history and it's a pretty good one and IMO after this year and over the next 10 years that place will be elevated significantly.

In 1990 Belfry "smacked around" a defending Highlands state champion that was very young and finished with a record of 8-3. Put succinctly, you lucked out. Belfry wouldn't come close to beating Highlands these days. They might have a couple years where they play decent, but you haven't come across an offense that will wear your secondary down and send multiple guys both ways like Highlands. I'll give it to you that it's a better record than NCC or Cov Cath, but Belfry lacks the all-around game that is needed to compete with Highlands on a yearly basis.

[Pirate1991#8]

I've got nothing to be jealous of. Belfry is a great program. I take it you were one of these "superstars" on the field (easy to say behind a computer screen nicker: ) that couldn't be a superstar elsewhere in life.

22 years of military service...so your tax paying dollars paid for my SUPERSTAR training to do things you only see half of on TV....

[bucslover68]

In 1990 Belfry "smacked around" a defending Highlands state champion that was very young and finished with a record of 8-3. Put succinctly, you lucked out. Belfry wouldn't come close to beating Highlands these days. They might have a couple years where they play decent, but you haven't come across an offense that will wear your secondary down and send multiple guys both ways like Highlands. I'll give it to you that it's a better record than NCC or Cov Cath, but Belfry lacks the all-around game that is needed to compete with Highlands on a yearly basis.

Fair enough. Most years you may be right, but I would put 2003 Belfry up against some of the Bluebird teams and take my chances. Legitimate question time. Even the HHS fans have a couple of doubts about this year's team. I have seen where they have said the defense may not be quite as good as some in the past. Of course, that may be like trying to find flaws with different Miss Americas. Is this one of the better HHS teams or not say in the last 10-15 years? And btw, all these arguments about having an all-around offense to beat the likes of Highlands seems to me to be short-sighted. I think you have to have a DEFENSE that can match up with the Bluebirds and get some stops. If you do this, then you have a chance no matter what type of O you run. Basically, I am saying to the JC fans. Is your D good enough to slow down Highlands and allow your stable of running backs to control clock, move the chains and punch in some scores?

[Fundamentals]

Excuses excuses, widentight is such a Debbie downer

[Fundamentals]

Of course they lack the talent, however they make the most out of what they have. Isn't that what a great coach does?

[Belfry_]

Best coach in the nation

[Belfry0304]

Guys, if you're not WideRight and from Kentucky, take five minutes and vote for Coach Haywood. The fact is, you won't cross anyone who has engaged in a conversation with Coach ever who dislikes him, and he deserves an honor like this. Popularity contest, absolutely, but Philip Haywood deserves to win it.

[AtlPirateFan]

anyone with a free minute come over and vote. 1% down with less than 3 hours to go http://contest.usatodayhss.com/vote/best...&success=1

[Demarcus ware]

Voting hard right now...Everyone go vote...

[maximus73]

Have to vote for Haywood

[MCMiner247]

USA Today's "Best High School Coach" Voting Results (By Votes)
-All Qualify for National Round-
653,111 Votes-Region 4-Phillip Haywood-Belfry, KY
316,114 Votes-Region 2-Kevin Lynott-Middletown, MD
227,131 Votes-Region 7-Jim Hightower-St. Thomas Moore, LA
215,482 Votes-Region 3-Marcus Boyles-Petal,MS
180,277 Votes-Region 8-Mike Herrington-Hart,CA
87,972 Votes-Region 5-Rick Jones-Greenwood, AR
83,723 Votes-Region 1-Jim Hoover-Walton, NY

Haywood received more than DOUBLE the amount of votes that the next closest
finalist got. All those coaches listed are in the National Final that starts in 3 days.

[AtlPirateFan]

the voting was intense for the last day or so. Over 300k votes were cast since yesterday morning when I got to work. That is an amazing feat. I've had 7 different browsers open trying to help win this thing today. Very happy with the outcome.

[WideRight05]

Fair enough. Most years you may be right, but I would put 2003 Belfry up against some of the Bluebird teams and take my chances. Legitimate question time. Even the HHS fans have a couple of doubts about this year's team. I have seen where they have said the defense may not be quite as good as some in the past. Of course, that may be like trying to find flaws with different Miss Americas. Is this one of the better HHS teams or not say in the last 10-15 years? And btw, all these arguments about having an all-around offense to beat the likes of Highlands seems to me to be short-sighted. I think you have to have a DEFENSE that can match up with the Bluebirds and get some stops. If you do this, then you have a chance no matter what type of O you run. Basically, I am saying to the JC fans. Is your D good enough to slow down Highlands and allow your stable of running backs to control clock, move the chains and punch in some scores?

I would definitely put many of the Highlands teams against the 2003 Belfry team. It doesn't even look like that Belfry team played a very strong schedule. They got shut out 18-0 by a 5-7 Boyd County team, and a 28-0 loss to Ironton, OH. That would be like Highlands losing to NCC (or worse). It wouldn't and shouldn't happen. They might be able to beat some of the down Highlands teams that were in rebuilding mode.

The only "bad" thing about this Highlands team is that they have let a few teams come back when the starters were taken out. Other than that, they are fine.