The Belfry Pirates earned a spot in the Class 3A semifinals with a 35-17 win over the Russell Red Devils at Haywood Stadium on Friday night.
The Red Devils (9-4) got the scoring started in the first period when Ben Totten booted a 32-yard field goal.
Belfry (11-2) got going in the second period when JJ Austin broke loose on a 66-yard touchdown run. Nick Savage’s PAT kick made the score 7-3. Chase Varney then threw a 65-yard scoring strike to Jaydon Muncy. Savage’s kick made it a 14-3 lead.
Russell made it a close game at the half on a 5-yard Kaiden Benge touchdown run. Totten’s kick made the score 14-10 at the intermission.
The Pirates increased the lead in the third period when Austin rumbled into the end zone from 6 yards out to make it a 21-10 lead.
Russell answered back when Elijah Hankins connected with Cayden Pennington on a 28-yard touchdown pass to make the score, 21-17. However, that would be as close as the Red Devils would get.
Varney then connected on a 55-yard touchdown pass with Woolum at the start of the fourth quarter. Varney then scored a 1-yard run to cap off the game and send the Pirates into the semifinals.
For Belfry, Varney completed 6-of-8 passes for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Austin led the ground game with 26 carries for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns. Woolum had 3 carries for 27 yards. He also had 4 catches for 110 yards and 1 touchdown. Ace Caudill had 10 rushing yards on 7 carries while catching 1 pass for 24 yards.
Muncy caught 1 pass for 65 yards and 1 touchdown.
For Russell, Hankins completed 9-of-13 passes for 165 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
Benge led all Red Devil rushers with 47 yards and 1 touchdown on 12 carries.
Jayden Pennington caught 3 passes for 82 yards. Cayden Pennington had 4 catches for 61 yards and 1 touchdown. Caden Mitchell and Grayson Kiser also hauled in catches.
Belfry will now make the long trip to Union County for a semifinal match up with the Braves. The opening kick is set for 7 pm on Friday.
Photo Courtesy of Bluegrass Sports Nation
