[EKUAlum05]

Still looking to fill one game either on the 6th of September or 11th of October

Aug 23 - @ Southwest Pulaski - Don Franklin Bowl
Aug 30 - vs. Lexington Christian Academy - Pike County Bowl
Sep 13 - @ Kettering Archbishop Alter (OH)
Sep 20 - vs. Pikeville
Sep 27 - vs. Magoffin County* (location TBD)
Oct 04 - @ Floyd Central*
Oct 18 - vs. Lawrence County*
Oct 25 - @ Pike Central*
Nov 01- vs. Johnson Central

*= District Game

[EKUAlum05]

Good schedule so far



Three State Runner-Ups from last year (Pikeville, JC, and Alter).

Kettering Archbishop Alter is the real deal. Went 13-2 last year and was the Ohio Division III Runner-Up. They were also Runner-Up in 2006 & 2014. They won State Titles in 2008 and 2009. Kettering is essentially in Dayton, OH for those wondering.

LCA should be a Top 10 2A team this year after improving all season with a young team. Southwestern is always solid, but will probably be a step down from last season after losing some stars.

Belfry tried to schedule Covington Catholic but could not get a date to work. Hopefully they can find a solid team for their 10th game.

[EKUAlum05]

Another note of interest:
Alter's Head Coach Ed Domsitz is like the Philip Haywood of Ohio.

I believe this will be his 45th year coaching and has won over 300 games

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Thanks for the info. Knew the opponents, but didn't know the dates. Belfry should be stout in 2019. Probably one of the favorites to win 3A

[#55PirateFan]

Man, that's a good looking non-conference schedule, IMO. Would love to see the Pirates land a top tier opponent for that 10th game, maybe a top 10 or better 4A or 5A school. This 2020 class for Belfry is special! We are loaded at the skill positions. I look for our defense to be leaps and bounds better this year to. Still a few questions on the defensive front but I think it will be much better than last year. For the first time in a very long time Belfry's offensive line will be a question mark, maybe even a weak spot. And that's not good for a primarily running team. Not so much the starting five but depth wise. Pretty much losing 4 starters to graduation, however that 4th spot was rotated much of the season with returning Senior Shawn Cochran who I look to have a break out year. We have alot of good looking lineman like Garrett Smith, Logan McCoy, Jordan Jewell, Aiden Smith, and incoming Freshman Braden Spears that will plug in those holes. At Tight End, I think it'll be Grayson Cook or Brad Lowe. We have the bodies. Question is how long will it take for them to adjust to playing for a team that the offensive line is key to the success of the offense? And what happens if a starter goes down? Time will tell. I do however, have all the confidence in the world that our coaches will have these young linemen ready to go come August like they always do and the "Young Pirates" will be ready to do battle in the trenches. I really do think Belfry will be odds on favorite to win 3A this year. But it defiantly wont be a cake walk. The defending 2A State Champs moving up to 3A will definitely have a say in how things turn out. Cant wait to see how it all plays out.

[PondCreekToWestwood]

Point Pleasant, WV has some common open dates with Belfry. Would love to see the two schedule each other.

[#55PirateFan]

Point Pleasant would be a decent opponent but I'd much rather have a top tier Kentucky team a class or two above us than another out of state team. But I see your point. Common dates is the key. Would loved to seen Belfry and Cov.Cath been able to work out a deal. You talking about a monster non district schedule, that would have been one! Maybe one of the toughest.

[FoSho]

9-0 or 8-1 (loss to JC)

Will win 3A Title IMO.

[#55PirateFan]

9-0 or 8-1 (loss to JC)

Will win 3A Title IMO.

Really? I was thinking more of an 8-2, maybe even 7-3 regular season. I think we possibly lose the JC and Ohio game. Dont know anything about Southwest Pulaski. What do you know about them? Are they a possible lose for us?

[EKUAlum05]

Really? I was thinking more of an 8-2, maybe even 7-3 regular season. I think we possibly lose the JC and Ohio game. Dont know anything about Southwest Pulaski. What do you know about them? Are they a possible lose for us?

Belfry will be a significant underdog in that game.

When Kettering Alter is at their best they are comparable to St. Xavier... the normal Alter team is somwhere between DeSales and CovCath.

Southwestern- Belfry significant favorite
LCA- Belfry significant favorite
Pikeville- Belfry slight favorite
JC- Belfry slight underdog
Alter- Belfry signficiant underdog

For the record I think Point Pleasant would be a great game on two different levels. For one, they are a solid team and solid competition and with JC and Alter Belfry doesnt necessarily need another top tier team. Most importantly, Point Pleasant kind of reminds me of this current Bell County team who will be the most likely team Belfry will encounter down the road in November.

[#55PirateFan]

Belfry will be a significant underdog in that game.

When Kettering Alter is at their best they are comparable to St. Xavier... the normal Alter team is somwhere between DeSales and CovCath.

Southwestern- Belfry significant favorite
LCA- Belfry significant favorite
Pikeville- Belfry slight favorite
JC- Belfry slight underdog
Alter- Belfry signficiant underdog

For the record I think Point Pleasant would be a great game on two different levels. For one, they are a solid team and solid competition and with JC and Alter Belfry doesnt necessarily need another top tier team. Most importantly, Point Pleasant kind of reminds me of this current Bell County team who will be the most likely team Belfry will encounter down the road in November.

Thanks for the input EKUAlum. You're on top of your game as usual my friend. Wow, Alter is a powerhouse then. Good for our team, IMO. Will make us playoff ready. I think Belfry and JC is a toss up. Especially the game being played on Pond Creek this year. The Southwestern game is the real question I had. Dont know much about them. Good to know we should be favored. I think the the Pikeville game will be close the first half, but again, it to is being played at Belfry and I look for us to put some distance on them late. That's not a knock on Pikeville at all I just think we win by at least 2 scores. As for the Point Pleasant game, what you said about them being a version of Bell, that would be a perfect type team that we could add as our 10th game. Lastly, what do you think about what I sad about our O-Line situation? Do you agree/disagree? And again, thanks for the input. Answered some questions I had.

[Bossdaddy 4115]

Belfry is 3a favorites with cal losing their coach. Anyone second guessing, is smoking something good.

[#55PirateFan]

Belfry is 3a favorites with cal losing their coach. Anyone second guessing, is smoking something good.

What did CAL lose as far as players? Did they lose alot to graduation? Same with DeSales, do you know what they lost? Those two worry me more than any other coming out of the West. We still have to contend with teams like Ashland, Bell, and a couple others before we even get that far but those two worry me.

[FoSho]

What did CAL lose as far as players? Did they lose alot to graduation? Same with DeSales, do you know what they lost? Those two worry me more than any other coming out of the West. We still have to contend with teams like Ashland, Bell, and a couple others before we even get that far but those two worry me.

CAL lost their coach, along with their best player and backbone of the team, Milton Wright (Purdue).

Belfry does what they do and does it very well. I know NOTHING about the OH team and have never heard of them. All I'll say is this, Belfry was the best team we faced last season (straight from our players mouths, not a dig at Corbin) and I think they might be the biggest lock as far as titles go next season. They are very good and hit very hard and quite often. The only issue with the Pirates is you gotta find a QB.

I'll let you know how good CAL is after we play them at home in week 5. 😉

[#55PirateFan]

CAL lost their coach, along with their best player and backbone of the team, Milton Wright (Purdue).

Belfry does what they do and does it very well. I know NOTHING about the OH team and have never heard of them. All I'll say is this, Belfry was the best team we faced last season (straight from our players mouths, not a dig at Corbin) and I think they might be the biggest lock as far as titles go next season. They are very good and hit very hard and quite often. The only issue with the Pirates is you gotta find a QB.

I'll let you know how good CAL is after we play them at home in week 5. 😉

That's right, I forgot that you guys play them this year. Would appreciate the information, Lol! Good luck to you guys this year as well. I was talking to someone the other day and was asked who I thought would win in each class next year and my pick in 4A was Boyle. After seeing the Rebels in person this past year, no way would I pick against them. Ethan told me the same thing. He said of all the teams he played, Boyle was the best. Big Wilson Kelly left an impression! Hahahaha!

[FoSho]

That's right, I forgot that you guys play them this year. Would appreciate the information, Lol! Good luck to you guys this year as well. I was talking to someone the other day and was asked who I thought would win in each class next year and my pick in 4A was Boyle. After seeing the Rebels in person this past year, no way would I pick against them. Ethan told me the same thing. He said of all the teams he played, Boyle was the best. Big Wilson Kelly left an impression! Hahahaha!

We both had great teams that could have won the title. When we played we got the best of you but it could have played out differently. Corbin deserved the W against us because we didn't do our part........they did. Central was the recipient of an easy draw and won the title. Good for them. If we played those playoffs 5 times we might have 5 different winners.

Good luck next season!

[FoSho]

FYI....SW Pulaski is a decent team but they lost a lot with graduation and will be no match for Belfry (nor would they have been last season). More importantly they lost HC Larry French who they will not be able replace. They will take a step back imo.

Belfry by 35.

[#55PirateFan]

We both had great teams that could have won the title. When we played we got the best of you but it could have played out differently. Corbin deserved the W against us because we didn't do our part........they did. Central was the recipient of an easy draw and won the title. Good for them. If we played those playoffs 5 times we might have 5 different winners.

Good luck next season!

Agree 100% about Centrals draw. Spot on! Good luck my friend. I'm sure we'll be debating much more in these threads before, during, and after the season. Tell Reed I said good luck and go get himself another ring!

[OutlawJoseyWales]

I have to agree on the O-line situation. IMO, it may take 4-5 weeks before the new line really gains their footing. Belfry has been uniquely blessed over the past several years in having consistent depth up front. However, that being said....there is talent there and IMO, Belfry has two of the best OL coaches in the state....so I'm confident our line will mesh and be ready by November. I do think depth will be an issue.....because, unless we have massive blowouts early on.....I can see the coaching staff leaving those kids out there for extended time to help the maturation process.

I also think there are a few questions to be answered in the backfield. Wont go into those at this point....its just way to early. I will say this.....IMO, Belfry will have the BEST BACK IN THE MOUNTAINS with Dixon returning. Should be an All-State Candidate.

Belfry has to fix the defensive line issues that have haunted them over the past couple of seasons. It will be interesting to see how that shakes out.

Gonna be fun to watch how things develop on Pond Creek.

[EKUAlum05]

What did CAL lose as far as players? Did they lose alot to graduation? Same with DeSales, do you know what they lost? Those two worry me more than any other coming out of the West. We still have to contend with teams like Ashland, Bell, and a couple others before we even get that far but those two worry me.

They lost one of the best young Head Coaches in all of Kentucky and lost the 2nd best player in Kentucky in Milton Wright. Wright was their best weapon on Offense and Defense.

The cupboard is pretty loaded though.

Their QB and RB were both Sophomores and are very good. They have another RB that ran for 1000 yards that will be back as well. Wright was their primary receiving threat, but they have a monster TE who is very good and may end up being a D1 guy who returns.

Their OLine may be the best in KY returning led by 4* John Young. They have at least three guys who you will see playing on Saturdays at some level. They dominated Mayfield at the LOS and return essentially their entire OLine.

Defensively they have some holes to fill. They will still be very stout, but Wright, Payne, Paulson, and Howes are big shoes to fill.

[Ghost of R.J.Jr.]

I have to agree on the O-line situation. IMO, it may take 4-5 weeks before the new line really gains their footing. Belfry has been uniquely blessed over the past several years in having consistent depth up front. However, that being said....there is talent there and IMO, Belfry has two of the best OL coaches in the state....so I'm confident our line will mesh and be ready by November. I do think depth will be an issue.....because, unless we have massive blowouts early on.....I can see the coaching staff leaving those kids out there for extended time to help the maturation process.

I also think there are a few questions to be answered in the backfield. Wont go into those at this point....its just way to early. I will say this.....IMO, Belfry will have the BEST BACK IN THE MOUNTAINS with Dixon returning. Should be an All-State Candidate.

Belfry has to fix the defensive line issues that have haunted them over the past couple of seasons. It will be interesting to see how that shakes out.

Gonna be fun to watch how things develop on Pond Creek.

Rumors of a transfer or 2 coming in, about 6-7 quality 8th graders coming up, 3 of which are linemen, 2 real nice athletes, and 2 kids that could play anywhere other than corner. Thornsbury will fill a spot, Cochran and Wolford will be leaders.

Belfry will be just fine.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Rumors of a transfer or 2 coming in, about 6-7 quality 8th graders coming up, 3 of which are linemen, 2 real nice athletes, and 2 kids that could play anywhere other than corner. Thornsbury will fill a spot, Cochran and Wolford will be leaders.

Belfry will be just fine.

I’ve heard about a potential transfer or two.....which could benefit the defense no doubt. Gonna be interesting no doubt

[Real Badman]

Phelps pipeline closes?

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Phelps pipeline closes?

I can't remember any kids from Phelps playing any significant minutes for Belfry over the past years. May be wrong....if so....please fill me in. The Francis kid played his 7th or 8th grade season at BMS.....but other than him, I don't remember any others....

[EKUAlum05]

I can't remember any kids from Phelps playing any significant minutes for Belfry over the past years. May be wrong....if so....please fill me in. The Francis kid played his 7th or 8th grade season at BMS.....but other than him, I don't remember any others....

The only Phelps kid I can remember immediately off hand was Koleston Blankenship.

[MayfieldCardinal]

Belfry might be okay vs CAL. Wright was a catalyst for everything they did either going to him or as a decoy on offence and a very big problem for teams from his safety position. That said they have a lot of returning kids and could be great again, Losing a solid coach might or might not come to play.

[vobra281]

Rumors of a transfer or 2 coming in, about 6-7 quality 8th graders coming up, 3 of which are linemen, 2 real nice athletes, and 2 kids that could play anywhere other than corner. Thornsbury will fill a spot, Cochran and Wolford will be leaders.

Belfry will be just fine.

Hearing from some that thornbury can be unstoppable when he wants to. Will have to see what kind of effort he brings. Wolford and Cochran will be true leaders for the pirates.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Hearing from some that thornbury can be unstoppable when he wants to. Will have to see what kind of effort he brings. Wolford and Cochran will be true leaders for the pirates.

Hearing really positive things about Thornsbury. I'm convinced he'll have a role somewhere on either side of the ball. Good feet, very strong. Definitely agree on the leadership aspect from Wolford and Cochran. Both are dynamite kids and will really push the young lineman. Those two had great mentors to work under (Dotson, Scott, Bentley, Preece, etc, etc). they know the ropes....and understand the sacrifice that it takes.

[#55PirateFan]

Belfry might be okay vs CAL. Wright was a catalyst for everything they did either going to him or as a decoy on offence and a very big problem for teams from his safety position. That said they have a lot of returning kids and could be great again, Losing a solid coach might or might not come to play.

That's good to hear. There's still some really good teams in 3A to get past before Belfry can really even start to think about squaring off against CAL. But CAL is the team that worries me the most as far as us winning another title. That team was down right scary and unstoppable last year!

[FoSho]

Without Milton Wright CAL is a totally different team.