It was billed as a showdown between two of the mountain’s biggest powerhouses, but the Belfry Pirates would have none of it. The Pirates scored jumped all over the Johnson Central Golden Eagles and took control early on their way to 48-20 win at home on Friday.
Belfry (2-1) jumped on the board early when Caden Woolum scored on a 7-yard run with 8:20 left in the opening quarter. Nick Savage’s PAT kick made it a 7-0 lead.
The Pirates added to their lead with 8:14 left in the second quarter when Dre Young found the end zone on a 2-yard run. Savage’s kick made it 14-0. With 4:07 left in the first half, Ace Caudill scampered across the goal line from 30 yards out for a 21-0 lead. Caudill came calling again with under a minute to go when he scored on a 7-yard carry to make it 28-0 at the half.
Belfry added to its lead with 8:47 left in the third frame when quarterback Chase Varney found Caudill for a 46-yard touchdown reception and a 34-0 advantage.
Johnson Central (1-2) finally got on the scoreboard when quarterback Jacob Grimm found Gabe Conley on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Peyton Daniel’s PAT Kick made the score 34-7.
The Pirates answered back when JJ Austin scored on a 1-yard with 1:13 left in the third period to make it 41-7.
The Golden Eagles cut into the lead a little more in the fourth quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run by Christian Barnes with 9:39 left in the game to cut Belfry’s lead to 41-14. Johnson Central scored again just over a minute later as Barnes scored again on a 4-yard run to make it a 41-20 game.
The Pirates would close out the scoring, however. Woolum raced into the end zone from 50 yards out with 2:06 for the 48-20 final score.
Varney completed 3-of-5 passes for 85 yards and 1 touchdown. He also had 2 carries for 3 yards.
Woolum led the Pirate rushing attack with 153 yards and 2 touchdowns. Caudill had 9 carries for 90 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 79 yards and 1 receiving touchdown. JJ Austin added 19 carries for 88 yards and 1 touchdown. Dre Young finished with 50 yards and 1 touchdown on 14 carries.
For Johnson Central, Grimm completed 3-of-9 passes for 76 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Barnes led the Golden Eagles on the ground with 160 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21 carries.
Belfry will remain at home on Friday as they host Southwestern (0-2) in a 7:30 pm match up.
Johnson Central will return home to face Breathitt County (1-2) at 7:30 pm on Friday.
Photo Courtesy of Jarrid McCormick
