Bell County vs. Belfry Preview: Kroger KSR Game of the Week

Ladies and gentlemen, the KHSAA football quarterfinals are here, and with such a big week upcoming, KSR will have feet on the ground for two different games this week. Alongside Middlesboro vs. West Carter, we will also travel to Bell County (10-2) for their battle with Belfry (6-6) Friday night.

Road to the Quarterfinals

Bell County: The Bobcats defeated Estill County and Rockcastle County in the first two rounds by a combined score of 73-21.

Bell County’s rush-heavy offense has been led by Dawson Woolum, who has 36 carries for 295 yards and five touchdowns this postseason. Including his playoff performances, Woolum has totaled 218 carries for 1,540 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season, as well.

Belfry: After starting their season out 0-5, the Pirates have gone 6-1 in their last seven games, including their two playoff games against Pike County Central and Lawrence County.

Belfry had their top performance against PCC, winning 57-0 off the back of Isaac Dixon and Alex Long’s combined six carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns before coming out the following week and edging Lawrence County 21-14. During the regular season, Belfry defeated the Bulldogs 42-13.

Bell County vs. Belfry Preview

Friday night will feature a battle between the two winningest coaches in the history of KHSAA football in Belfry’s Philip Haywood (463-147) and Bell County’s Dudley Hilton (409-129) when the Belfry Pirates take on the Bell County Bobcats. The two coaches have 10 state championships between them in 90 combined years of KHSAA coaching experience.

As previously noted, both of these squads run the ball for the majority of their games. With a 1,000-plus-yard rusher on both sides of the ball, it’ll come down which team can hold longer on the defensive end of things—that’s where Bell County has the edge.

Up front they feature two defensive linemen with at least five sacks on the season. Clint Maulden and Hayden Dameron have 13 combined sacks on the season. Rounding out the defensive line is Tucker Hunley, whose three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, which ranks fourth in 3A. Rounding out the ball-hawking Bell County defense is quarterback/defensive back Cameron Burnett with five interceptions.

Obviously, Burnett won’t be getting any interceptions Friday night as Belfry rushes the ball over 90 percent of the time in-game. But the point remains—this defense can force turnovers and keep your offense off the field.

KSR’s Predictions:

Barkley’s prediction — Bell County 18, Belfry 12

Troy’s prediction — Belfry 21, Bell County 19

Jude Howell’s prediction — Belfry 28, Bell County 18

@BarkleyTruax

— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) November 15, 2021

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