Celebrating 100 years as a high school football program, the Belfry Pirates took on the Breathitt County Bobcats in what ended as a perfect ending to an ongoing dynasty with a 56-26 win.
Belfry scored early on a 54-yard TD run from Chase Varney followed by a good extra point attempt to open the game in the first half with a score of 7-0.
Breathitt County was slower getting started with back-to-back turnovers on downs before an 8-yard TD run by Jaden Gibson put them on the board. However, a failed extra point left the score at 7-6 in Belfry’s favor.
Throughout the rest of the first half, Belfry would score again on starting with a 6-yard TD run by Hunter Hylton while Ace Caudill added two more rushing touchdowns of 34 yards and 56 yards to end the Pirate’s first quarter play.
The Bobcats countered with two passing TDs from Miles Hollon to Eli Thomas and John Hollon for gains of 24 yards and 27 yards, respectively.
During halftime, Belfry recognized players from the 2020s through to the 1950s in honor of the team’s 100 years competing as one of Kentucky’s consistently competitive programs.
Following the ceremonial break in action, the Pirates went on to score twice more on a on a 6-yard run from Hunter Hylton and another from Ace Caudill on a 34-yard TD run.
The second half saw Breathitt County score once more on a 6-yard TD from Brayden Barnett, who then followed this with a 2-point conversation to finish the Bobcat’s total to 26 points.
Belfry continued to show off its running game throughout the second half with rushing touchdowns of 7 yards by JJ Austin and 3 yards from Dante Davis. To finish the game at 56-26.
Ace Caudill was named player of the game for Belfry while Eli Thomas was given that honor for Breathitt County.
SCORE BY HALVES:
First Half:
Pirates – Chase Varney, 54-yard run (Nick Savage kick).
Bobcats – Jaden Gibson, 8-yard run.
Pirates– Hunter Hylton, 6-yard run.
Pirates– Ace Caudill, 34-yard run.
Pirates– Ace Caudill, 56-yard run.
Bobcats– Miles Hollon pass to Eli Thomas, 24 yards.
Bobcats – Miles Hollon pass to John Hollon, 27 yards.
Second Half:
Pirates– Hunter Hylton, 6-yard run.
Pirates– Ace Caudill, 34-yard run.
Bobcats– Brayden Barnett, 6-yard run.
Bobcats– Brayden Barnett, 2-point conversion.