[FBALL]

^It's kind of ironic, but the fact that Estill Co. beat Russell like that in 2003 is kind of what made Belfry schedule the Engineers in the Pike Co. Bowl in 2004. Estill had a lot of starters returning and we expected a great game.

Belfry had lost their entire offensive line (OTs - Josh Cullop & Matt Marcum; Gs Phillip Varney & Jordan Clevinger; C - Mitch Case), TE - Zane Smith, WR - Kurt Kendrick, and QB Paul Howard. Most of these guys were two-year starters.

So all the Pirates had back was Gary Childers - FB, and HBs David Jones & Doug Howard.

The final score was 42-14 in favor of Belfry and it could have been a lot worse. Howard had 7 carries 232 yards and 3 TDs & Jones had 5 carries 150 yards & 3 TDs. This team did lead Belfry to their 2nd consecutive championship so they were likely better than we anticipated, but at the time we were expecting a nail-biter.

Estill was nowhere near the team in 2004 that they were in 2003. They RB that graduated in 03 was fantastic. I think his name was Richardson or something like that. They may have returned a few starters for 2004 but all of the playmakers were gone. They were not good at all in 2004.

2003 Estill Co (8-3)

Aug 23, '03Montgomery CountyMt. Sterling62- 6(W)Aug 29, '03Johnson CentralEstill County34- 14(W)Sep 5, '03Nicholas CountyEstill County12- 0(W)Sep 12, '03OpenEstill County- Sep 19, '03East CarterEast Carter37- 38(L)Sep 26, '03Lewis CountyLewis County34- 32(W)(double overtime)Oct 3, '03Fleming CountyEstill County36- 52(L)Oct 10, '03Morgan CountyMorgan County30- 22(W)Oct 17, '03RussellEstill County35- 14(W)Oct 24, '03West CarterWest Carter49- 36(W)Oct 31, '03Powell CountyEstill County77- 6(W)Nov 7, '03Lloyd MemorialLloyd Memorial28- 62(L)Class AA Football State Tournament


2004 Estill Co (3-7)

Aug 21, '04BelfryPikeville14- 41(L)Aug 27, '04Johnson CentralJohnson Central14- 44(L)Sep 3, '04Nicholas CountyNicholas County59- 13(W)Sep 10, '04Open- Sep 20, '04East CarterEstill County14- 27(L)Sep 24, '04Lewis CountyEstill County38- 35(W)Oct 1, '04Fleming CountyFleming County20- 42(L)Oct 8, '04Morgan CountyEstill County8- 27(L)Oct 15, '04RussellRussell8- 49(L)Oct 22, '04West CarterEstill County67- 34(W)Oct 29, '04Powell CountyPowell County36- 40(L)