[Strikeout King]

3a-8

3A District 8

1. Belfry (14-1): Reigning state champion Belfry has reloaded for another run at another title.

2. Pike County Central (7-6): The Hawks fell to district foe Belfry in last year's region title game.

3. Lawrence County (8-4): The Bulldogs opened the 2013 season 7-0 before dropping four of their last five games.

4. Sheldon Clark (0-10): The Cardinals are much more experienced after struggling through a winless campaign.


Preseason Favorite: Belfry[/U]

Tradition-rich Belfry is poised to vie for a second straight state title. Belfry lost its top two rushers and quarterback to graduation but returns a host of talented players. The Pirates remain the dominate team in the district.

Leading receivers Keaton Taylor (605 yards) and third-leading rusher Austin Hatfield (703 yards) are back for the Pirates. A junior, Taylor will be hauling in passes from a new starting quarterback. Now a senior, Hatfield is set to help lead the Belfry ground game for a second straight season.

In addition to Taylor and Hatfield, Cameron Catron (QB/DB), T.J. Dotson (RB/DE), RayQuan Horton (TE/DT), Dakota Stanley (TE/LB), Xondre Willis (RB/DB) and Cole Bentley (TE/NT) also return for the Pirates.

Belfry's only loss in the 2013 season came to Johnson Central in the regular-season finale. The Pirates, under the direction of head coach Philip Haywood, the state's all-time winningest coach, outscored opponents 539-248 last season.

Belfry edged Wayne County 3-0 on Austin Woolum 35-yard field goal in the 2013 Class 3A state championship game. Woolum, a sophomore, also returns for the Pirates.


[U]Still Pushing: Pike County Central

Senior quarterback Mac Justice and senior wide receiver Brad Elkins are back to lead Pike County Central's aerial attack. Last season, Justice and Elkins combined to form one of the state's top quarterback-receiver tandems.

The Hawks finished runner-up to Belfry in both the district and the region. Pike County Central knocked off Morgan County and former state powerhouse Breathitt County before falling to Belfry in the region title game.

Pike County Central scored 457 points in 13 games last season. The Hawks, however, allowed 438 points during the 2013 campaign.


2014 Preseason Player of the Year

Austin Hatfield, Belfry, Sr., RB/LB/DE, 5-9, 215.

Austin Hatfield was instrumental in Belfry's latest state championship season as he rushed 109 times for 703 yards and six touchdowns. Now set to take on an even bigger role in Belfry's rushing attack, Hatfield rushed for two touchdowns in Belfry's 21-13 victory over Bourbon County in the 2013 Class 3A State Semifinals. On the defensive side, Hatfield registered 43 tackles last year.


Players to Watch

Cole Bentley, Belfry, So., TE/NT, 6-5, 260; Brandon Butcher, Sheldon Clark, Jr., RB/DB, 5-10, 165; Cameron Catron, Belfry, So., QB/DB, 5-9, 160; Timmy Dalton, Lawrence County, So., WR/DB, 6-3, 160; T.J. Dotson, Belfry, Jr., RB/DE, 5-11, 165; Brad Elkins, Pike County Central, Sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 160; RayQuan Horton, Belfry, So., TE/DT, 6-2, 260; Mac Justice, Pike County Central, Sr., QB/DB, 6-0, 160; Noah Lambert, Lawrence County, Sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 170; Chase Muncy, Sheldon Clark, Jr., RB/LB, 5-10, 190; Dakota Stanley, Belfry, Sr., TE/LB, 5-10, 200, Keaton Taylor, Belfry, Sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 160; Xondre Willis, Belfry, Sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 165