State Bound! LCA Beats Belfry 34-29

For the first time since 2021, LCA is headed back to Kroger Field. Behind a balanced attack and timely defensive stands, the Eagles outlasted the Pirates in an instant classic, 34-29.

The game was a contrast of styles. Belfry, the ground-and-pound offense of yesteryear against LCA's multiple-look spread offense. But both teams brought tremendous physicality defensively. And statistically, the offenses finished up pretty even in terms of total yards, first downs and other metrics.

But the Eagles forced three big turnovers — a forced fumble, turnover on downs and an interception. The final forced turnover would ultimately seal a state championship appearance for LCA.

"Our defense played lights out," LCA Head Coach Oakley Watkins told the Herald-Leader, noting how exceptional the unit played even after leading tackler Thomas Sizemore suffered an injury in the first quarter. "For guys to step up behind him, it's a testament to his leadership."

The Pirates would strike first. After the teams traded punts, and not long after Sizemore was lost to the Eagles, Belfry's J.B. Woolum capped off a 10-play, 52-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run. After a blocked PAT was wiped away by penalty, the Pirates converted a 2-point conversion for an early 8-0 lead.

On the Eagles' ensuing possession, a couple of key plays extended the drive. After a fumble on 3rd and 3, senior lineman Brody Adams pounced on the ball to maintain possession. On the very next play, Watkins made an early huge call, going for it on 4th down. Nash Whelan found Tyler King for 30 yards on 4th and 4, pushing the ball deep into Belfry territory — a play emblematic of several key plays that would ultimately swing this game. Two plays later, Whelan found Sam Pearson on a spectacular catch and throw for a 33-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 8-7.

The next possession was vintage Belfry once more, even if aided by an LCA personal foul. The Pirates ran 10 times for 77 yards before quarterback Chase Varney snuck in from the 1-yard line, giving the Pirates momentum again and a 15-7 lead.

The Eagles looked to immediately answer once more. But this time disaster struck when Woolum picked off a Whelan pass at the Belfry 17-yard line. You could feel the momentum swing in Eagle Valley.

End of Half Rally

But the Eagles defense would stiffen, forcing a key 4th and 6 at the Belfry 32-yard line with 2:40 left to play in the half. But somewhere along the way, the officiating crew lost count of the downs. After arguing to no avail, the Pirates were awarded an extra 3rd down — leading to a first down conversion. Only to have back-to-back holding penalties push the Pirates back to their own 22. After four third downs and a stop, the Pirates finally punted the ball back to LCA.

With 1:42 remaining from midfield, the Eagles went to work. Hood ran for one yard, before Whelan found Jeremiah Burbage up the right sideline for 8. After a run off tackle to move the chains, Whelan hit King on a screen, picking up 17 yards. Then King caught another ball down to the 9 — the Pirates had no answer for King. The Eagles then got physical. A series of Whelan keepers off the right side pushed the ball down the 1.

Then with 1st and goal from the 3, with 14 seconds remaining, the Eagles came out of a timeout with a heavy package once more. But this time, Whelan faked the give before finding a wide open Conrad Hart in the corner of the end zone. With a mere 10 seconds remaining, the Eagles snatched back momentum, cutting the lead to 15-14 going into the half.

Eagles Flex Muscles

The LCA defense started the second half as it ended the first — dominant. After forcing a pair of punts, the Eagles offense found its rhythm on its second possession. Then on a key 3rd and 2 from its own 42-yard line, LCA got tricky. After a direct snap, Daven Hood handed the ball to Whalen, who faked a reverse to King before rolling right. There, he found Hart once more, and the 6-5 junior rumbled down to the Pirates 31-yard line. The next play, Whalen followed Hood on a quarterback keeper, cut left, and scampered 31 yards for the score and LCA's first lead, 21-15.

On the Pirates' ensuing possession, the Eagles defense smothered once more. Halftime adjustments had stymied the Belfry run game, and after three plays without much success, the Pirates faced a 4th and 2 on its own 21-yard line. And Belfry elected to gamble, giving to fullback Dante Davis up the middle. But Mac Darland and Aiden Lyons met Davis in the hole for no gain, turning the Pirates over on downs — bringing another seismic shift in momentum.

Three plays later, the Eagles got back into their heavy package — Matthew Montgomery, Adams, Holden Klaiber, Logan Mayes all to one side, Jaxon Ramsey and Bode Darland in the backfield. Whelan under center, pivoted and handed off to Hood. And Daven Hood, behind tremendous blocking, simply would not be denied. The junior ran through as many as four or five would-be tacklers, punishing defenders as he churned his legs, driving for the score. The PAT made it LCA 28, Belfry 15.

Pirates Fight Back

Just when it looked as though LCA might blow this game open, Belfry found some resolve. The Pirates stayed with their run game, breaking off two big scoring runs to retake the lead. Woolum took one 59 yards before Caudill broke off a 56-yard score, pushing Belfry back into the lead 29-28 with 10:17 remaining.

Clearly, the eight-time state champions, in their first season following the tragic loss of coaching legend Philip Haywood, were not going quietly. And now the momentum swing, before a packed house, was on the side of the Pirates.

But this Eagles team, more than any in recent memory, is full of fight. With their season on the line, the Eagles offense went to work. But after two incompletions and a short gain, the Eagles faced a 4th and 9 from their own 33-yard line. And Watkins decided to roll the dice once more.

Big-Time Play Calls

Oakley Watkins trusted his guys, and he put the ball in the hands of Whelan and King. The sophomore quarterback found his senior wideout across the middle, and King did the rest, getting upfield for 17 big yards and moving the chains.

Next play, Whelan hit Dawson Farmer for a gain of 15. The Eagles had found their rhythm once more. Hood pounded up the middle for 17 yards. Hood again out of the heavy set for 9 more. First and goal from the 9; Hood again for 4 more.

Same formation. Same play. See if you can stop it. Hood pounded his way off the right side for the score. After a failed 2-point conversion, the Eagles now led 34-29.

With plenty of time, the Pirates went back to their ground-and-pound offense. Fullback up the middle, second man through to the right. Move the chains ... repeat. With five minutes remaining, Belfry was quickly back into LCA territory. Then on 2nd and 3 from the LCA 31, Varney handed off to Davis off-tackle left. Bode Darland beat his man and punched the ball free; Whelan fell on it, turning over the Pirates for the second time on the night.

The Last Stand

Now the Eagles just needed a couple of first downs to cement this semi-finals victory. Three straight runs and solid Belfry defense brought up a pivotal 4th and 2 for LCA from its own 38-yard line. Watkins leaned on his offense to execute one final time. Heavy package, give to Hood to the right. He needed 2; Hood churned for 5. First down, Eagles.

"Our Kids came over, and they wanted to go for it," Watkins told the Herald-Leader. "In a big game like this, you've got to make decisions like that. You can't always stay true to your cards. That's something we haven't done all year, but I knew that was a big play and we needed to do it. It worked in our favor, but that's why coaching is such a hard thing. That one could've easily gone the other way and people are like 'What is this guy doing?'"

Three more runs brought up a 4th and 5, but now Belfry had exhausted all of its timeouts. The damage was done. The Eagles punted away, giving Belfry one last shot from its own 28-yard line with 1:39 to play.

A pair of runs brought up a 3rd and 4 for the Pirates with just over a minute to go. Belfry finally elected to pass. But the throw sailed just high of its intended receiver and right into the waiting hands of Pearson. Ballgame.

The win improved the Eagles to 11-3 on the season, earning LCA a trip to Kroger Field to take on Owensboro Catholic for the 2A State Championship.

Helmet Stickers

Tyler King — 12 catches for 120 yards, the senior delivered. More than the yards, King made a play seemingly every time the Eagles needed it. The big 4th down conversion was a monster play.

Nash Whelan — The sophomore QB ran for 83 yards and a score, while throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Add in three solo tackles, one assist, one TFL and the massive fumble recovery. He was simply sensational when we needed him most.

Daven Hood – 14 carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns, Hood got the hard yards we needed when we had to have them. He also delivered defensively, stepping into the injured Sizemore's role. Hood totaled 9 solos and 4 assists on the night.

Aiden Lyons and Mac Darland – Belfry presents a big challenge in the run game, and Mac and Lyons answered the call. Lyons totaled 8 solos, 1 assist and a TFL; Darland added 6 solos and 2 assists.

Eagles Defense — We knew going in, Belfry was likely to break a few big runs. But the defense stiffened at opportune times, forcing stops and getting turnovers. Sam Pearson, Bode Darland, Conrad Hart, Jamey Lee Patterson, Brody Adams, Logan Mays, Jeremiah Burbage and Holden Klaiber all made huge contributions to contain the Pirates vaunted rushing attack.

O-Line — The Eagles ran the ball 33 times for 147 yards and two scores, against a very good defense. The line also gave Whelan plenty of time in the pocket as well. The big plays that turned the game came with throws to Pearson or King, runs by Whelan and Hood. The O-line dominated in those key moments.

Kicking Game — Dean Hester went a perfect 4-4 on PATs. Brother Will and freshman quarterback Parker Penix were equally solid in the snap and hold game. Dean's five punts totaled 158 yards, with his longest going 43 yards. He limited Belfry field position all night.