[EKUAlum05]

Knox Central's ability to keep this close begins and ends with their ability/inability to hurt Harlan County outside or with the threat of the pass early in the game.

Belfry's offense made HC's defense look a lot more vulnerable than it really is, but noone this side of I-75 has the skill players that Belfry has. HC was unable to focus on a single key point to stop Belfry and the threat of the pass, the option, the super talented FB, and Belfry's lightning quick HB. This eventually left HC in a guessing game and that's when the yardage accumulated in a hurry.

Gist is a darn fine RB, but if KC can't stretch the Bears to the sideline and loosen up their LB's then he will struggle to gain 100 yards. I think the single greatest weakness HC has this year is they are not an especially fast or overly athletic team. They are vulnerable outside to a team who has the threat of balance. Unfortunately, I don't see KC having the team speed to do this, nor the quickness up front on defense to contain the Black Bear running attack.