2019FBBELDHSP4SF

Belfry vs. DeSales High School
Class 3A 2019 UK Orthopaedics/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl Round 4 Semifinals

DeSales High School
Loisville, KY
November 29, 2019

© 2019 by Ron Harrison

This was a titanic match-up between two extremely talented teams and it took two overtimes to settle the issue.  The score was tied 0-0 at the end of regulation.  Belfry went on offense first in overtime and scored on a seven yard run by Peyton Hensley and Grayson Cook scored on the conversion kick to make the score 7-0.  DeSales responded in a hurry as James Johnson went 10 yards on the first play from scrimmage and Blake Givens kicked the extra point to knot the score at 7-7.  DeSales went on offense first in the second overtime and scored on a one yard run by Demarcus Avery and a kick by Blake Givens to make the score 14-7.  Belfry then got the ball and scored on a fourth-and-one from the one as Peyton Hensley broke the plane to pull Belfry within 1; 14-13.  DeSales called a timeout and Belfry followed suit with a timeout and made the gutsy call to go for two and the win.  The strategy worked as Isaac Dixon took the pitch and sprinted into the end zone for the 15-14 victory.  DeSales had their chances today but misfired on a fourth down pass from the Belfry 29 yard line and had two drives ended by an interception and a fumble.  When all is said and done this was an intense struggle between two excellent, well coached teams that fought to the end and Belfry had one final play for the victory and advances to the championship game.

Belfry recorded seven first downs and 208 yards of total offense, all on the ground.  The Pirates were penalized eight times for 125 yards and lost two fumbles.  DeSales recorded 13 first downs and 244 yards of total offense.  The Colts were penalized eight times for 101 yards, lost a fumble, and had two passes intercepted.

Peyton Hensley led Belfry’s ground game with 107 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.  Isaac Dixon added 88 yards on eight carries.  Ben Bentley carried the ball seven times for 18 yards.  Brett Coleman was zero for two through the air.  Grayson Cook punted six times for a 42.5 average with a long punt of 51 with one inside the 20 yard line.  Isaac Dixon returned three punts for 47 yards with a long return of 17 yards.  Ben Bentley returned one kickoff for 27 yards.  Ben Bentley and Isaiah Birchfie each intercepted a pass and Brett Coleman recovered a fumble.

James Johnson led the DeSales’ ground game with 133 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.  Demarcus Avery added 49 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.  Demarcus Avery completed seven of 17 passes for 61 yards with two interceptions.  Jayden Scroggin was zero for one in passes attempted.  Antione Johnson caught four passes for 15 yards.  Demetri Scott added three receptions for 46 yards.  Antione Johnson returned three punts for 56 yards with a long return of 31 yards.  James Johnson returned one kickoff for 18 yards.  Blake Givens punted five times for a 33.2 yard average with a long punt of 47 yards with two punts inside the 20 yard line.  Alex Gates and Dejuan Watkins each recovered a fumble.

Scoring Summary

Selected Statistics

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to the DeSales Stats Crew for the comprehensive stats provided for tonight's games.

Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the event, teams, or players to me at prepgridiron@yahoo.com.

Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other football events appear on https://www.angelfire.com/ky2/prepgridiron.