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PREVIEW: Kroger KSR Game of the Week - Belfry at Pikeville

IMG_8756by:Daniel Hager•09/16/22•

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Friday night, two championship-caliber teams meet in a star-studded edition of the KSR Game of the Week. The defending 1A State Champion Belfry Pirates travel to Pikeville to clash with the defending 3A State Champion Pikeville Panthers (#25 in KSR’s Week 4 Kentucky High School Football Rankings).

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better coaching matchup than Pikeville’s Chris McNamee and Belfry’s Phillip Haywood, the latter often regarded as one of the greatest high school football coaches of all time.

Belfry ALL-IN on the Run Game

Over in Pike County, rumor has it that Coach Haywood doesn’t even practice quarterback drills as it seems all he wants to do is pound the rock down the defense’s throat.

The Pirates leading passer, freshman Chase Varney, has thrown for 49 yards and one interception in four games this season — so why would they? All of their offense comes on the ground, as the Pirates have three 200+ yard rushers through four games. Their most exciting offensive weapon is talented junior Dre Young, who has rushed for 583 yards on 79 attempts, finding the endzone on four separate occasions.

Young is flanked by impressive freshman Ace Caudill and junior Caden Woolum, who have also been impressive on the ground this season. These young guys have combined for 559 yards and five touchdowns so far, which is exciting for the future of Belfry football.

Not only is Dre Young their best offensive player, but he is also one of their best defensive players as well. He is third on the team in tackles and has recorded a sack. Their defense is anchored by seniors Rudy Blackwell (37 tackles) and Braxton Hatfield (28 tackles), who have been a terror in the opposing backfield.

Their senior kicker Aidan McCoy has been lights out this year, going a perfect 13/13 on extra point opportunities and making his only field goal attempt. If you want to take down this Belfry team, you’ve got to neutralize the run and make them beat you some other way. In Belfry’s two wins this year, they rushed for a combined 808 yards. In their two losses, however, they only rushed for 519 combined yards.

Pikeville Trying to Find its Groove

Pikeville has been met with a rude awakening after their State Championship victory last season.

After being ranked #13 in KSR’s Preseason Kentucky High School Football Rankings, the Panthers find themselves barely hanging on to their Top 25 spot four weeks into the season. They opened the season with losses to the #10 and #13 ranked teams in the state (Corbin and Covington Catholic) but turned things around last week in a 36-0 win over Paintsville.

Sophomore quarterback Isaac Duty has been solid for the Panthers this season, throwing for 231 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception through three games.

Coach McNamee employs a two-headed monster in his backfield in senior Blake Birchfield and junior Tayvian Boykins. This duo has combined for 521 yards rushing and a staggering eight touchdowns through just three games. Boykins is also the team’s second-leading receiver.

The Pikeville defense is extremely talented and has had a great last two games, racking up a combined 19 TFL and 10 sacks. Led by seniors Carson Wright, Devin DeRossett and Brenden Anthony, the Panthers look to stop Belfry’s run game and avoid falling to 1-3.

Belfry at Pikeville kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday night.

Kroger KSR Game of the Week 2022:

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2024-12-28