Kyle Lovern

Sports Editor

The Belfry Middle School Pirates (13-0) and ranked 8th in the region took on the No. 2 ranked Greenup County Musketeers (14-1) Saturday afternoon in the state playoffs and came away with a 28-0 shutout win.

The game got off to a slow start with neither team scoring in the first half. However, with the break, time to regroup, and some much needed motivation by Coach Elbert Thacker, the Pirates came back out to claim the second half as their own. The first half was a defensive struggle and saw both teams play between the 30-yard lines.

The Musketeers got stopped on several 4th down and short plays by defensive standout Ray Horton.

The GCMS offense thrived on several mis-direction plays the first half causing a rough start for the Pirate defense.

The BMS offense threatened to score, but was unable to get the ball into the end zone because of a fumble.

In the second half, Cameron Catron got things started off for the Pirates taking the football up the middle 76 yards untouched for the score. The Pirate defense tightened up and the Musketeers never crossed midfield the rest of the game. The defense held Greenup County to several 3-and-outs, forcing numerous punts.

The BMS offense finally got on track in the final two quarters. The Pirates went to the air with Catron hitting Devin Varney for a 46 yard score. The 2-point conversion by Austin Hall made the score 14-0 in favor of the Pirates. With the Musketeers having to punt again, the BMS special teams made a big play. Catron came up to receive the punt and after a few moves and some great downfield blocking, he crossed the goal line 46 yards later. The PAT kick was good by Austin Woolum giving the Pirates a 21-0 advantage.

The defense kept the pressure on in the final quarter. Horton made the last touchdown for the Pirates after scooping up a fumble and returning it to the house from 22 yards out. Woolum’s PAT brought the final score to 28-0 Pirates. Catron went 2 for 2 on the night in the air for 71 yards. Defensive stars for the Pirates were Horton with 10 tackles Josh Thacker with seven, Hall and Cole Bentley with six, Catron, Woolum and Caleb Whitt each had five stops. Woolum and Derrick Wellman both had interceptions for the BMS defense. The undefeated Pirates will play Saturday as they take on Mason County in their third game of the state playoffs. The game time and location will be announced later this week.