Belfry wins 3A Regional Championship over Bell County: Kroger KSR Game of the Week
A cold night in the mountains played host to a 3A quarterfinal battle between Belfry (7-6) and Bell County (10-3), where the Belfry Pirates would come out on top 41-20 to claim the 3A Region Championship.
Belfry running back Isaac Dixon was the star of the game. He compiled 18 carries for 177 yards and three touchdowns on the night en route to victory.
“It was a hard-fought game,” Dixon said. “The first half, they absolutely came to play. We were in the locker room and Coach Haywood does what he does best. We came out and got straight for the second half.”
First Quarter: Belfry 0, Bell County 0
A quiet start for both squads was highlighted by Dixon, who nickel and dime’d the Bobcat defense with an outside rushing scheme. The Pirates were driving into Bell County territory as the quarter came to a close.
Halftime: Belfry 14, Bell County 6
Dueling touchdowns scored by both squads lit up the second quarter. Belfry struck first on a three-yard Dre Young touchdown set up by yet another Dixon outside rush.
“Well against them, I watched a lot of film and the edges, they weren’t fast,” Dixon explained about his mindset when running outside the tackles. “They played a heck of a ballgame, but outside on the edge, [I didn’t think] that they were fast enough.”
Bell County wouldn’t be deterred and drove themselves right down the field, capped by an Ethan Raby touchdown from 18-yards out. The caveat? Bell County head coach Dudley Hilton decided to go for a two-point conversation that proved to be unsuccessful.
The Pirates picked up right where they left off on the previous drive, once again leaning on Dixon for life. He obliged and took his first score of the game into the end zone from 30 yards out.
Controversy struck as Bell County quarterback Daniel Thomas found Cameron Burnett in the end zone for what should’ve been a touchdown, but was called incomplete on the field.
The ensuing play was intercepted by Dixon and the half was over.
Third Quarter: Belfry 28, Bell County 6
Bell County’s struggles continued to open the second half as the Bobcats kickoff return team treated the opening kickoff as if it were a punt. They didn’t field the ball and Belfry picked it up, bringing it inside the Bobcat red zone.
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Three plays later—Dixon found the end zone.
After yet another Bobcat punt, Belfry capitalized once again, this time in the form of Zayne Hatfield. His 15-yard touchdown was the proverbial nail in the coffin for Bell County.
FINAL: Belfry 41, Bell Co 20
Bell County wouldn’t give up, though. Hilton chalked up a couple of quick chunk plays and the Bobcats were back in business, set up with a first and goal where Dawson Woolum would find the end zone. A successful two-point attempt cut the lead in half, 28-14.
Dixon and the Pirates silenced the momentum with a one-play, 56-yard drive, essentially summing up the game Belfry was having at that point.
The Bobcats kept playing their brand of football despite the total on the scoreboard. They scored another touchdown with five minutes remaining in regulation but remained behind by two touchdowns.
Belfry’s Braxton Hatfield scored on the ensuing drive for the Pirate’s sixth touchdown of the night with under three minutes to go.
Bell County would attempt one last drive before the game clock expired, but it was too little, too late and their season came to an end on their home field. Belfry, on the other hand, takes home a regional championship trophy and will live to see another day.
“It ain’t over yet,” Dixon warned.
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