[AtlPirateFan]

I'm gonna take Garrard 35 to 28.the only game i've seen Belfry play was against Henry clay on ihigh,and after watching that game i defintely think Garrard can play with Belfry.I know you guys say Belfry has as much speed as Garrard and they may have,but the only Mountain team that i've seen with great team speed year in and year out is Bell county.all the other mountain teams Boyle has played over the years didn't have the speed they thought they had.in no way is this meant as an insult to eastern kentucky football.thier have been some great teams come out of the mountains over the years.I maybe wrong about Belfry's speed i guess i'll find out friday.I just wasn't that impressed with Belfry against a weak Henry clay team.I wish i could have found more video of Belfry to have watched.good luck to both teams i hope for no injuries on either team.who ever wins i'll cheer for against Central.

Wish you could see a different game as well. This Henry Clay game was week 2 of the season. During what I consider our most vulnerable time of the year (games 2 and 3). Ashland would be the game to showcase our defense and defensive speed. Breathitt showcases our resolve and pound it out mentality, Prestonsburg also showcases the Pirate resolve. Pikeville shows the damage we can do in a hurry without an offensive TD (2nd half explosion). Lots of games would be better to watch, unfortunately the only games that get televised on WYMT.com are not archived for future use or download (me thinks WYMT to should look into some cheap web hosting).

On a side note it appears GC is the 2nd highest scoring team Belfry will face this season (Breathitt being #1) Befry appears to the highest scoring team GC will face this season. So according to the stats both teams CAN score. The biggest difference I see is that GC allows the most points on D of the 4 remaining teams. Belfry on the other hand has the best D (according to points allowed) left in the tourney ( we all know these numbers don't matter once it comes to Central) The Pirates put up 28 on a Breathitt team that was allowing only 11 pts a game and had a stellar points allowed going up against Belfry with 131. (159 after)

Some numbers breakdown for thought

Pts Scored
Belfry 41 (avg)
Garrard 42 (avg)
+1 Garrad

Pts Allowed
Belfry 13 (avg)
Garrard 19 (avg)
+6 Belfry

Garrard Schedule info
4 OT Win against 1 win Clay County (but it was week 1)
1 Shutout - Scoring 38 against Llyod Memorial
4 opponents less than 10 scored
6 Teams scored 20 plus on them
30+ points scored 12 times.
35+ points scored 12 times.
40+ points scored 7 times
50 + scored 4 times

Garrard opponents had a record of 77 - 85
Russell and Powell were decent playoff opponents but really mid tier 3A teams.

Belfry Schedule info
7-6 battle against Ashland. Could have been 14-6 if not for the knee by Belfry.
2 Shutouts - Scoring 54 and 55 against East Ridge and Jackson Co respectively
5 opponents scored less than 10
4 teams scored 20 plus on them
30+ Scored 9x
35+ points scored 8 times
40+ scored 8 times
50+ scored 5 times
Belfry opponents had a record of 83 - 81
Breathitt Co was the game in up until now. Also likely the best game in the East thus far.

Numbers wise?
Belfry and Garrard can both score points and score them big.
Belfry has about a 1 TD advantage defensively against Garrard.
Befry has a the SoS advantage (moot this time of year but it's there)

Much like the state title is Central's to lose, this game is Belfry's to lose. I think the advantage here is the Belfry defense. Both close games I see on GC's schedule ended in favor of GC in overtime and to teams both on opposite ends of the spectrum. 4 OT win against terrible Clay team and against a good record Bourbon team( though their schedule is filled with weak teams). If GC wants to win this it can't be close, they won't win a trench close scoring game with Belfy, they have to score lots of points and if the stats are any indication they have to outscore Belfry because the Golden Lion D is not up for the Pirates offense.

My final score prediction

Belfry 34
Garrard 17