Photo Credit: RAY JUSTICE PHOTOGRAPHY

Belfry overcame its worst start in 60 years to return to the Class 3A state championship football game.

Running back Isaac Dixon, a candidate for Kentucky’s  Mr. Football award, rushed for 245 yards and four touchdowns as the Pirates cruised to a 48-26 road win over East Carter i Grayson on Friday night.

After starting the season 0-5, the Pirates have now won 8 of 9 and are heading back to the championship game for the ninth time since 2010 and 15th time in school history.

Zayne Hatfield added 155 yards and one touchdown and Dre Young finished with 86 yards and a pair of scores.

The Pirates rushed for 560 yards as a team.

Belfry, 8-6, will face Paducah-Tilghman, also 8-6, at noon on Saturday. The two teams started the season a combined 1-9.

At Grayson

(Class 3A state semifinals)

SCORE BY QUARTERS:

BF (8-6)…..14  13  14  7 – 48

EC (11-4)…12    6    0  8 – 26

Scoring:

First Quarter

EC – Charlie Terry, 28-yard run (run failed), 9:06

BF – Isaac Dixon, 7-yard run (Gideon Ireson kick), 8:07

BF – Isaac Dixon, 47-yard run (Gideon Ireson kick), 5:42

EC – Charlie Terry, 2-yard run (run failed), 3:12

Second Quarter

EC – Charlie Terry, 75-yard run (run failed), 8:57

BF – Dre Young, 4-yard run (kick failed), 6:58

BF – Isaac Dixon, 15-yard run (Gideon Ireson kick), 1:04

Third Quarter

BF – Dre Young, 1-yard run (Giden Ireson kick), 7:23

BF – Zayne Hatfield, 30-yard run (Gideon Ireson kick), 2:57

Fourth Quarter

EC – Isaac Boggs, 3-yard pass from Kanyon Kozee (Kanyon Kozee run), 10:29

BF – Isaac Dixon, 5-yard run (Gideon Ireson kick), 7:52

Next up: Belfry (8-6) vs. Paducah-Tilghman (8-6), Class 3A state championship, Kroger Field, Lexington, Noon, Dec. 4.