By PAMELA SCOTT JOHNSON

Sports Editor

GOODY, Ky. – Twenty-one points and no offensive plays in the opening of the second half put an otherwise exciting game out of reach as Belfry remains undefeated with a 55-14 win over Pikeville.

It looked to be a good old fashion smash-mouth Pirate vs. Panther football game in the first half but Pikeville fans watched in disbelief when Belfry scored 21 points in 46 seconds at the start of the second half.

Belfry was lucky to hold a 7-point lead at the half when Pikeville blocked a field-goal attempt with time expiring. The Panthers picked up the football and was off to the races. Belfry caught the Panther from behind saving a possible game-tying TD.

Pikeville got on the board first when QB Randy Maynard spotted WR Cody Estep in the endzone. The leading kicker in the state Zach Burgy Vanhoose booted the XP and with 8:35 in the first, Pikeville took a 7-0 lead.

The Bucs marched 80-yards in 12 plays on the backs of Josh Robinson, Trey Willis and Justin Johnson. QB Tyler Williams handed off to Willis who swept right into the zone from 5-yards out. Austin Childers’ PAT was good and with 2:45 in the opening quarter the score was tied 7 all.

The Belfry D made a stand and Maynard was sacked by Gary Runyon to bring up 4 and 18. PHS kicked and the Pirates began another drive to paydirt from their 14-yard line.

A draw play to Johnson put the ball on the 21-yard line. Robinson picked up the first down rushing to the 34-yard line. Johnson’s number was recalled and the sophomore broke free for a 66-yard TD. Childers’ PAT was good and the Bucs led 14-7 with 9:11 in the first half.

After escaping the blocked field goal attempt and a PHS score, the Pirates took the 7-point lead to the locker-room.

The Panthers were fired up and realized they could play with this Belfry bunch…until the third quarter fiasco.

Belfry took the opening kick to start the second half. Dixon caught the ball at the 2-yard line and sprinted 98-yards for six. The PAT was good and with 15 tics off the clock, Belfry led 21-7.

And the hits just kept on coming.

The Panthers began their offensive series on their 23-yard line. Maynard dropped back to pass and Payton Mullins read the QB’s mind for a huge interception. Maynard tried to stop Mullins from scoring but the big junior just carried the Panther across the goal on his back. The PAT was good and with 11:26 in the third, it was BHS 28, PHS7.

Surely it could not get worse for the Panthers….or could it?

Twelve seconds later, Eli Huddle scooped up a fumbled kickoff return and brought the Pond Creek faithful to their feet as he hit paydirt. Childers split the uprights and Belfry extended its lead to 35-7.

The Red Crush forced the Panthers to punt and Belfry began its first offensive series of the second half.

Williams completed a pass to Howie Dotson who out jumped the Pikeville defender for the ball at the 5-yard line. Robinson took the handoff and waltzed into the endzone. With the PAT, Belfry led 42-7 with 9:54 in the third.

Head Coach Phillip Haywood started putting in subs to finish the game but the subs wanted some glory as well.

Sani Warren took over behind center and a give to Trenity Carr resulted in a 17-yard TD. However, a flag called the touchdown back and put Belfry on the 22-yard line. On 1 and 15, Jonathan Aldana lit up the board. Carr kicked the XP and with just over a minute in the third, it was Belfry 49, Pikeville 7.

The Panthers were able to find the endzone once more in the fourth quarter. Maynard hit Chase Hall with a 35-yard TD pass. The PAT was good and with 11:01 left to play, the Bucs led 49-14.

The Pirates added 6 more before time expired on Davontae Dari’s 44-yard touchdown run.

Belfry had 409 yards on the ground and held Pikeville to 111. Johnson, who suffered an ankle injury against Prestonsburg last week, led the Pirates with 4 rushes for 89-yards.

Maynard had a great night for PHS. The QB was 10 out of 21 for 134 yards, 2 TDs and one costly interception.

The Pirates offensive line totally dominated the game as BHS had over 450 yards total offense while the Panthers were held to 245.

Pikeville fell to 4-1 with the loss and travel to Swain County, NC next week.

Belfry remains undefeated with a 4-0 record and will stay at home next week when the Cards from Sheldon Clark come to visit.