BELFRY, Ky. - Johnson Central defeated Belfry for the first time on Belfry’s home turf in the history of their rivalry Friday at CAM Stadium, a rivalry which spans 25 games.

“I feel like something wonderful has happened here tonight,” said Johnson Central Golden Eagles Head Coach Jim Matney. “No one thought we could do it, but we did.”

“Belfry has a great program, a great coach, and a great community, but I really feel like our football community has come a long way,” Matney continued.

“I feel like we could we can win the state championship.”

The win at CAM Stadium marks the Eagles’ sixth straight victory after dropping their first four games this season.

The game was evenly contested throughout the first half with Belfry jumping to an early lead in the first and second quarters of play, 13 to 6, which included Thomas Varney striking first blood with a 61 yard run in the first quarter.

However, a fumble by the Pirates’ in Eagles’ territory led to a successful drive allowing the Eagles to tie the score 13 to 13 before half-time.

Pirates’ Head Coach Phillip Heywood felt this drive was a turning point in the game.

“One of the biggest keys in the game was dropping that pitch and Johnson Central recovering the fumble. Rather than us getting a field goal or a touchdown on that drive, they ended up tying the score before the start of the second half,” said Heywood. “That may have been the key series to the game as far as changing the tide of things.”

Also the loss of Thomas Varney in the third quarter put a damper on Belfry’s second half of play.

“It hurt a little bit defensively and we weren’t as smooth without Varney out there. We still moved the ball but we weren’t as consistent without him on the field,” said Heywood.

Belfry will face Lewis County to begin the playoffs.