The Belfry (KY) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against Russell (KY) on Friday, November 22, at 7:30 p.m. This game is part of the “2024 Kentucky High School Football Playoff Brackets: KHSAA – Class 3A” tournament.
What: Kentucky High School Football
Who: Belfry (KY) vs Russell (KY)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Kentucky High School Football Playoff Brackets: KHSAA – Class 3A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
A Clash of Titans: Russell vs. Belfry – 2024-25 Football Season
The 2024-25 football season has brought about an intriguing matchup between two powerhouse teams in Kentucky: Russell and Belfry. Both teams boast impressive records, strong performances, and a rich history of success. In this article, we dive into the team comparisons, key players, and their head-to-head performance, all leading up to a thrilling showdown between the Red Devils and the Pirates.
Team Records & Rankings
Russell enters the season with a solid 9-3 overall record. Dominating their district with a perfect 5-0 record, they have proven their ability to perform under pressure. Their overall win percentage stands at .750, with a scoring output of 354 points while allowing just 172.
On the other hand, Belfry has been equally dominant, finishing the season with a 10-2 record. The Pirates also boast an undefeated district record at 4-0, giving them a perfect district win percentage of 1.000. Belfry’s offense has been potent, scoring 486 points over the course of the season while surrendering 250 points.
Team Scoring Comparison
When it comes to scoring, Belfry has been the higher-scoring team across all four quarters, averaging 40.5 points per game. They have especially shown strength in the first half, with a scoring average of 26.9 points in the first two quarters. In comparison, Russell has averaged 29.5 points per game, with a steadier scoring spread across the game, including a strong finish with 7.0 points in the fourth quarter.
| Quarter | Russell | Belfry |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 2.3 | 11.9 |
| Q2 | 5.7 | 15.0 |
| Q3 | 7.0 | 9.6 |
| Q4 | 7.0 | 6.8 |
| Final | 29.5 | 40.5 |
Statistical Breakdown
Russell and Belfry have distinct playing styles, with Russell relying more on their passing game and solid rushing attack, while Belfry has a more balanced approach. Russell averages 143.2 rushing yards per game and 116.2 passing yards per game. Their total yards per game stand at 259.3, with 43 tackles per game and 1.3 sacks per game.
Belfry, on the other hand, has a slightly more run-heavy offense, averaging 57.8 rushing yards per game and 19.7 passing yards. However, their total yards per game of 77.4 is complemented by a high number of pancake blocks (62) and a solid defensive performance, with 14.4 tackles per game and just 0.3 sacks per game.
| Statistic | Russell | Belfry |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 143.2 | 57.8 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 116.2 | 19.7 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 259.3 | 77.4 |
| Tackles Per Game | 43.0 | 14.4 |
| Sacks Per Game | 1.3 | 0.3 |
| Points Per Game | 27.8 | 4.7 |
| Pancake Blocks | – | 62 |
Key Players to Watch
Both teams have standout players who make significant contributions on offense and defense.
For Russell, Jayden Frasure is a key player, rushing for 62.3 yards per game, and Elijah Hankins contributes significantly both in passing (120.2 yards per game) and total yards (139.4 yards per game). The Red Devils also rely on Cayden Pennington for receiving yards (50.4 yards per game) and Wyatt Hudson, who averages 7.4 tackles per game.
On the Belfry side, Jeremiah Austin leads the offense with 116.5 rushing yards per game, while Chase Varney is a standout passer with 118.0 yards per game. In the receiving game, Jb Woolum averages 50.0 yards per game, and defensively, Hunter Hylton stands out with 12.0 tackles per game.
| Player | Russell (Stats) | Belfry (Stats) |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | Jayden Frasure (62.3) | Jeremiah Austin (116.5) |
| Passing Yards Per Game | Elijah Hankins (120.2) | Chase Varney (118.0) |
| Receiving Yards Per Game | Cayden Pennington (50.4) | Jb Woolum (50.0) |
| Total Yards Per Game | Elijah Hankins (139.4) | Jb Woolum (155.0) |
| Tackles Per Game | Wyatt Hudson (7.4) | Hunter Hylton (12.0) |
| Sacks Per Game | Zack Brown (0.5) | Layne Varney (0.5) |
| Points Per Game | Ben Totten (7.9) | Nick Savage (7.0) |
Common Opponents
Both teams faced off against Magoffin County during the season, and both emerged victorious. Russell won 38-0 on September 13, 2024, while Belfry triumphed 41-0 on September 28, 2024.
Head-to-Head Record
As of now, Russell and Belfry have not yet met in the 2024-25 season, but their previous encounters have been hard-fought. The teams are undefeated against common opponents this season, but Belfry has shown a slight edge with a higher overall record at 10-2 compared to Russell’s 9-3.
Conclusion: The Stage is Set
As we head into the final stretch of the season, the showdown between Russell and Belfry promises to be a high-octane affair, filled with big plays and plenty of passion. Whether it’s Russell’s balanced offensive attack or Belfry’s dominant ground game, both teams have shown they can deliver when it matters most. Fans of high school football in Kentucky are in for a treat, and this matchup could very well be one of the defining games of the 2024-25 season.
