[EKUAlum05]

I won't argue with that. Either of these teams has a few to's and that will
decide it. Either team has a few costly penalties, that will decide it.
I'm just pointing out, that solid as Haywood/Belfry always are,
they are at a big disadvantage to a team like BC if the physical
part is fairly even. Great repsect for Haywood, but he might have had
another title or two if he could have expanded his repetoire.

I see your point and agree....if given a perfect situation where both teams also execute the same. At the small High School level that is rarely the case though. Either one team has a clear advantage from a physical standpoint, or one team has a clear advantage at the execution of their offense.

Some of the greatest High School powerhouses in the country run a very rudimentary offense such as the Wishbone or Wing-T. Reason being=KISS (Keep it Simple Silly). It allows coaches to maximize execution, maximize depth (quicker to learn, more interchangeable parts), and minimize turnovers (less risk, more repetition, more familiarity).

In the Belfry vs. Breathitt matchups of the past decade:

2000 - Breathitt County 28 Belfry 20
Belfry was more of a 70/30 mix of run to pass and ran most sets out of the I. Toss up game that came down to a controversial TD pass on Breathitt's final posession. Even physicality, even execution.

2001 - Belfry 27 Breathitt County 26
Belfry returns to their wishbone approach. I felt Breathitt was the more phsyical team, but Belfry out executed the Bobcats and capitalized on Haddix interceptions. Another even matchup.


2002 - Breathitt County 21 Belfry 0

Final score was a bit mis-leading as it was 7-0 Breathitt with about 2 minutes to go and Belfry had the ball. Two pick 6's set the final margin. Breathitt was the much more physical team and dominated the LOS, execution (thanks in part to a muddy field that helped Belfry) was even until the late INT's.

2007 - Belfry 62 Breathitt County 28

Total domination by Belfry from a physicality and execution standpoint. This Pirate OL and DL compare very favorable to that team, but Belfry doesn't have the skill players that team had. That Breathitt team had a balanced offense, but not as skilled as this years team.

2008 - Breathitt County 14 Belfry 12

Belfry had the advantage physically, but Breathitt killed them with execution. Bobcats out schemed Belfry and capitalized on Pirate fumbles and miscues including the final possession. Breathitt had the best player on the field in Fugate


Just handicapping what I am seeing I think this year's matchup is a hyrbid of the 07-08 games. This year's Pirate team is better and more skilled than the 2008 team and better up front, but not nearly as skilled as the 2007 team. This year's Breathitt team is much more physical and skilled than 2007. I still think Belfry has a considerable advantage up front, but as 2008 proved... if you don't execute it doesn't matter.

My guess is this game is in the low 20's and decided by one TD.