[AtlPirateFan]

(note: the use of 'Your' in this post is to represent any Belfry opponent and not GC as I have not seen them play)

Hopefully the winner of this game comes out of it healthy. It's late in the season, the ground is getting colder and harder. The hits are getting more fierce as the prize gets closer. If either team wants a shot to hang with Louisville Central then they need all their players healthy.

I expect a good game, GC has the task of defeating a team on a mission. The winner of this game will have the right to call themselves the best team in Eastern Kentucky, a title Belfry is currently defending and wishing to shed for State Champ. Garrard is playing the role of underdog, with heart (from what I see from their fans) it's a great story and can't wait for Friday.


Now. Belfry has a monster "D" and bruising "O". They will hurt a team with lack of depth by wearing you down over four quarters while throwing 4, 5 or 6 different backs at you. Belfry plays like a battering ram, pound, pound, and pound some more. You get deep into the third quarter and the Pirates really start to pick up steam.

Teams and fans feel like they have Belfry under control when they hold the Pirates in the first half (holding can be to a td or two). The Pirates can hurt a team without scoring, they like to drive the ball, pound it into your line. Move the chains a few times and if you happen to get the ball back without the Pirates scoring, don't count it as a victory of your game plan. Truth is that 5+ minute drive that the Pirates beat on you with multiple fresh backs is designed to bring you down, get you breathing harder. Praying for your offense to get a shot. Then when they do the defense comes in and lays some very hard hits to continue to emotional and physical beatdown that they inflict so they can control the second half.

The Pirates play two types of football well. The first is total domination (ex. Our entire district) or grind it out until the other team is out of it (Prestonsburg and Breathitt).

Two keys to beating Belfry.
1.) You win the toss. Make Haywood take the opening kickoff, the Pirates love having the ball to start the second half and will hurt you if you let them have a long 2nd quarter drive followed by the ball to start the half.

2.) Score quick and score often. You want to beat Belfry, you need to get the point difference so much in your advantage that you take Pond Creek Nation out of the game. You get up by 14-17 points and you will see the atmosphere on the BHS sideline go from frenzied cheering to intent watching, the Pirate fans love this team and when they get down it becomes about watching the teams every execution and they forget to cheer. Take them out of it and the team starts to feel it.

(sorry for the ramble, I am excited about turkey tomorrow, the Pirates on Friday and I just generally don't want to work today, so you guys get my ramble)