[EKUAlum05]

They did hold Hopkins last year, but this year there in no Hopkins or no Messer. Last year Belfey was just more physical team then BOCO. Also last year was supposed to be like the dream team of Belfry football and they still didnt win it came close but didnt. this year team will surprise you Belfry fans I know Haywood will have you all ready and all that but he aint playing the players are.

Last year's Belfry team was far from the dream team.. most Belfry fans would hesitate to even put them in the same category as 2007.. let alone the 2003/2004 teams.

Also, to discount that Belfry is less physical is a very dangerous assumption to make. Belfry's issues this year have been solely on the defensive side of the ball and with self inflicted wound son offense such as turnovers, penalties, and execution errors. Physicality has never been an issue.

[AnotherPirateTD]

(IF) both teams are able to win this Friday. I'll take the Pirates 28 Bozos 12

[Football Junky]

Last year's Belfry team was far from the dream team.. most Belfry fans would hesitate to even put them in the same category as 2007.. let alone the 2003/2004 teams.

Also, to discount that Belfry is less physical is a very dangerous assumption to make. Belfry's issues this year have been solely on the defensive side of the ball and with self inflicted wound son offense such as turnovers, penalties, and execution errors. Physicality has never been an issue.

Belfry's backfield is very talented this year

[Kickrocks148]

Last year's Belfry team was far from the dream team.. most Belfry fans would hesitate to even put them in the same category as 2007.. let alone the 2003/2004 teams.

Also, to discount that Belfry is less physical is a very dangerous assumption to make. Belfry's issues this year have been solely on the defensive side of the ball and with self inflicted wound son offense such as turnovers, penalties, and execution errors. Physicality has never been an issue.

from the fans I talked to last year that is the vibe I got. And yes last years Belfry team was more physical then BOCO you didnt understand what I was stating. Messer locked down one whole side of the field by him self. Belfry does not have that type of kid this year, yea the Barnes kids is big and strong but just does not have the help he had last year. And with most of Belfry problems being on the defensive side do you think that is going to help them slow down that BOCO Offense! NAH We have had running clocks all year

[Kickrocks148]

(IF) both teams are able to win this Friday. I'll take the Pirates 28 Bozos 12

Lol Bozos! if you put a Red Nose on Haywood he look just like a clown in all the red! There is no way Belfry can hold BoCo to 12 pts. Belfry does have a good back field but so does BoCo

[FBALL]

I'll take

Bourbon 42
Mason 35

I wouldn't be surprised if Mason won though but I do believe Bourbon is just a little more explosive.

I've been saying for weeks that Mason is a contender in 3A.

[EKUAlum05]

from the fans I talked to last year that is the vibe I got. And yes last years Belfry team was more physical then BOCO you didnt understand what I was stating. Messer locked down one whole side of the field by him self. Belfry does not have that type of kid this year, yea the Barnes kids is big and strong but just does not have the help he had last year. And with most of Belfry problems being on the defensive side do you think that is going to help them slow down that BOCO Offense! NAH We have had running clocks all year

Those defensive problems are the primary reason Belfry fans are closely watching Bourbon. With that said, even a struggling Belfry defense from the regular season is light years ahead of any defense Bourbon has seen thusfar this year.

One thing I like about what the Bourbon staff has done is that they have taken the reigns off Cox a bit. You could tell they were a bit tentative to let him pass as frequently as they are now. It would have been very easy to compact the offense in Pope's absence and simply ride Holman. Keeping this balance will be key to their success if Pope is unable to return 100%.

[Kickrocks148]

Those defensive problems are the primary reason Belfry fans are closely watching Bourbon. With that said, even a struggling Belfry defense from the regular season is light years ahead of any defense Bourbon has seen thusfar this year.

One thing I like about what the Bourbon staff has done is that they have taken the reigns off Cox a bit. You could tell they were a bit tentative to let him pass as frequently as they are now. It would have been very easy to compact the offense in Pope's absence and simply ride Holman. Keeping this balance will be key to their success if Pope is unable to return 100%.

your right will be the best Defense Boco has seen all year, but I have to say that Boco May be the best Offence Belfry has seen too!

[AnotherPirateTD]

your right will be the best Defense Boco has seen all year, but I have to say that Boco May be the best Offence Belfry has seen too!

Johnson Central was and will be the best offence Belfry has and will see all year. irateSho

[EKUAlum05]

your right will be the best Defense Boco has seen all year, but I have to say that Boco May be the best Offence Belfry has seen too!

Maybe so... but I am leaning towards Johnson Central being the best by a decent clip. Bourbon doesn't have the size or the depth of JC.. think Bourbon goes toe to toe in terms of skill and probably have the edge in terms of athleticism.

I would put Bourbon ahead of Harlan County.

The thing that would concern me as a Bourbon fan is the fact Bourbon has seen noone that gives them a taste of Belfry's offense. Belfry hasn't seen anyone identical to Bourbon by any means, but Pikeville, CAK, Gallia Academy, Pike Central, and Somerset all have similarities to Belfry that will have at least given them a baseline to work off.

Pikeville- Spread offense with a hard running HB and a gamebreaking WR and a shifty QB

Somerset- Spread offense with a WR with elite speed and a talented TB and young QB

CAK- Spread offense with a young/accurate pocket passer and a very good WR, but no run game

Gallia Academy- Spread. No run game, but a dangerous running QB and a quality athlete at WR

Pike Central- Bourbon County Light. Spread with Accurate/mobile QB... dual threat RB.. a pair of very good WR's.. PC mirrors Bourbon a lot except they are not nearly as athletic although Justice is a better passer than Cox.

[footballfan24]

Those defensive problems are the primary reason Belfry fans are closely watching Bourbon. With that said, even a struggling Belfry defense from the regular season is light years ahead of any defense Bourbon has seen thusfar this year.

One thing I like about what the Bourbon staff has done is that they have taken the reigns off Cox a bit. You could tell they were a bit tentative to let him pass as frequently as they are now. It would have been very easy to compact the offense in Pope's absence and simply ride Holman. Keeping this balance will be key to their success if Pope is unable to return 100%.

In watching the game this past Friday night, I think BoCo is just hitting their stride! They were very impressive. Just when you thought they were going to run the ball again, they would pass to one of their very good receivers. They have so many weapons and options to go to, Holman, Johnson, Hill, Hilander, Cox and Roberts. Then there is the defense.... I think they way they are playing right now, they will be a handful for WHOEVER they play. And make no mistake they will not overlook any opponent. Coach Hodge and his staff will have their team ready.

[PaytoPlay]

I think Belfry is far less physical on defense. Neither DE can take on blockers and hold ground like Messer especially. Bourbon (if it comes to it) Will run off tackle all night.

Dotson (Soph) and Hall (Frosh) have bright futures at DE, but are VERY vulnerable to good strong running attack.

[FBALL]

It's not a given that Bourbon County and Belfry will play.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Lol Bozos! if you put a Red Nose on Haywood he look just like a clown in all the red! There is no way Belfry can hold BoCo to 12 pts. Belfry does have a good back field but so does BoCo

I would agree. If both teams were to advance....I can't see Belfry holding BC to 12 points.....Probably some where between 21-28 points.

[footballfan24]

(IF) both teams are able to win this Friday. I'll take the Pirates 28 Bozos 12

LOL Bozos...A team that is putting together numbers like Bourbon is, definitely deserves a little more respect than a score of 28-12.

[AnotherPirateTD]

Ok 56/24 Belfry

[JuniorVarsityBlues]

It will be a good ball game this Friday. I think Bourbon might need a drive or two to adjust to the Royals size and skill level, but if the Colonel offense can score a couple quick touchdowns, they may get to name the score, about like last years game.

Bourbon 50 - Mason 13

[JuniorVarsityBlues]

And I dont know how Bourbon and Belfry stack up, but I dont see how anyone is going to simply run away from them, including Belfry. That will be a potentially great game if both teams win this week.

[EKUAlum05]

One interesting point to look at... and by no means am I going to assume Bourbon or Belfry are locks to win... but Mason County and their ability to turn it on this year is an additional blessing in disguise for BoCo in more ways than one.

1. It appears as though Mason County will be Bourbon's toughest test to date. Mason County is also quite athletic and though they may not be the biggest team or strongest team, they do play fast. The biggest concern Bourbon has had with their schedule is the fact that when they step up to play a team like Belfry that the speed of the game would require an adjustment since it would have been unlike anything they had experienced.... with Mason County Bourbon gets a nice taste of that a week early.

2. Trenity Carr is a monster. He is a physical specimen that you can't practice for his size, speed, and ability to lay the lick to the defender. There is only one back in the Eastern Semi-State similar Trenity who brings that skillset to the FB position... Rico Hill

3. Coach Buchanon is a very smart coach and few coaches get his team as prepared from a gameplan perspective. Mason may not always have the horses or the depth to beat teams.. but from a preparation standpoint they will be ready, much like a Haywood coached team. I am willing to bet some of the same defensive strategies that Belfry would be exploring versuses Bourbon (having played them last year) will be some of the strategies brought forward Friday by Buchanon.

[NoworLater]

EKUAlum, What does it mean if Bourbon were to throttle Mason? They're more or less the same teams as last year?

[HSFOOTBALL]

I'm tired of hearing all of the things Bourbon will need to do to beat Belfry. Belfry will need to make just as many adjustments to beat a much much better Bourbon team than they faced last year. Belfry will be Stronger, Bourbon will be faster, it will come down to which team shows up and who wants it more.


But this is jargon right now ... Bourbon has to beat Mason, Belfry has to beat PCC. Then we can argue this.

[EKUAlum05]

EKUAlum, What does it mean if Bourbon were to throttle Mason? They're more or less the same teams as last year?

It means exactly what most of us think...Bourbon is clearly a team in contention to win the Title.

Right now I am leaning towards Bourbon being a slight favorite in the East in lieu of the concerns Belfry has had on defense...a dominating win by Bourbon, IMHO, would plant them as the best looking team on paper.

[Objective]

Ok Bourbon fan I've been calling this team my dark horse to win it all, 4th in the 3A standing behind Wayne Belfry and Central but this is your week. I see Bourbon putting up a lot of points and being way to much for Mason this week. I agree Bourbon is playing on all cylinders

Bourbon by 21+ maybe more and this will launch them forward and they will be ready for next week

[HSFOOTBALL]

No No No, please don't I think the colonels like the overrated underdog feeling, they have yet to dissapoint in this role all year, and I hope it continues this week.

[EKUAlum05]

No No No, please don't I think the colonels like the overrated underdog feeling, they have yet to dissapoint in this role all year, and I hope it continues this week.

At no point this year has the term "overrated" or "underdog" applied to Bourbon County...

All the criticisms of Bourbon has been based on schedule strength, their loss to Belfry in 2012, and people saying the East is a cakewalk for Belfry...but at no point would either of the terms you used have ever been crux of criticism of Bourbon.

Most people have not ranked them in the Top 5 of 3A and they sure as heck have never been the underdog in any of their games including this week HAHA

In fact I will take it a step further and say the only time I have seen the Colonels jokingly mocked was by the CKY fans and the Boyle County fans when someone mentioned they could/would beat Boyle County. After Mercer took care of Boyle County... I don't think those people are even hanging on that bandwagon anymore ;D

[HSFOOTBALL]

huh? Where's all this hoopla about they haven't played a soul? Not the underdog in any of their games, but I have heard from many fans on this site about how overrated Bourbon is, and any decent team would be 12-0 with their schedule. I told Boyle fans 4 weeks ago that this team would give them all they wanted and it still stands true.

[HSFOOTBALL]

I'm just saying that 3 weeks ago they couldn't crack the top 5 in CKY, now they are going to Bowling Green. Lets just keep pretending they are an average team and hopefully they can you prove you wrong.

[FBALL]

Just for the record I said obnoxious not overrated. :devilflam

[FBALL]

I do think Mason County has been underrated.

[EKUAlum05]

I'm just saying that 3 weeks ago they couldn't crack the top 5 in CKY, now they are going to Bowling Green. Lets just keep pretending they are an average team and hopefully they can you prove you wrong.

You're playing the "poor, poor Pitiful Bourbon" card on the wrong person... I have been watching the Colonels all season and giving them credit where it is due since this Summer. HAHA

And FWIW, Anderson, Franklin County, LexCath, Henry Clay, Scott County, and Madison Southern are all still standing in CKY... not cracking the Top 5 is not a negative indictment as several teams continue to show they have a legitimate claim just like Bourbon.. just like we mentioned almost every week...there were several interchangeable teams who were all very close this year.This is holding true in the playoffs... with the exception of Boyle County fans who may eat their crow when they didn't think Bourbon was on their level