BELFRY - Prestonsburg High School head coach John DeRossett played for and started his coaching career under Belfry High School head coach Philip Haywood. Before moving on to Belfry, Haywood, a Prestonsburg native, guided the football program at his high school alma mater. Haywood was successful during his stint as the head Blackcat, winning the most games in school history. Tonight, Haywood will coach against his former player another time. DeRossett has come to know a Belfry High football program that relies heavily on the run. And this year's team does much the same.

“It's a typical Belfry team,” said DeRossett. “They line up and run the football at you. We've had a real good week of practice and we're ready to play.”

Three running backs are handling the majority of the carries for the Pirates. Dustin May leads Belfry in rushing. In seven games, May has rushed 109 times for 768 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns.

Belfry features one other running back who has rushed for over 500 yards and another who is closing in on the 500-yard plateau.

Corey Chapman has gained 565 yards and scored seven touchdowns on 58 carries for the Pirates. Chapman also ranks as Belfry's leading scorer.

Gerald Epling has rushed 40 times for 457 yards and seven touchdowns. As a team, Belfry has gained 2,122 yards on the ground

In seven games, Belfry has passed for only 373 yards. Belfry starting quarterback Andrew Elkins has been productive in seven games for the Pirates, completing 10-of-19 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns and hooked up with a strong contingent of receivers.

Senior running back Lincoln Slone has carried the load for the Prestonsburg offense. Sophomores Allen Craynon and Seth Setser have also enjoyed significant success rushing the football for the Blackcats. Through the air, Prestonsburg quarterback Bobby Hughes has performed well.

Belfry (6-1) will ride a five-game win streak into tonight's home game.

Prestonsburg (3-3) has won each of its last two games, beating district opponents Sheldon Clark and Magoffin County.

Other area high school football games set for tonight include Allen Central-Phelps; Boyd County-Lawrence County; Clay County-Perry County Central; Cumberland-Pineville; East Carter-West Carter; East Ridge-Tolsia, W.Va.; Estill County-Morgan County; Evarts-Somerset; Harlan-Williamsburg; Haysi, Va.-Betsy Layne; Johnson Central-Greenup County; Knott County Central-Middlesboro; Leslie County-Breathitt County; Letcher County Central-Knox Central; Lewis County-Russell; Mason County-Ashland Blazer; South Floyd-Hazard. Kickoff for all aforementioned area games is set for 7:30 p.m.