Five Belfry Middle School 8th Graders Earn Honors in Kentucky

The Kentucky Middle School Football Association released its Regional Player of the Year Honorable Mention Teams recently, and five class of 2026 Belfry Pirates earned nods. The Pirates are in the midst of a State Championship Playoff run and will welcome Pikeville this upcoming Saturday (10/31) to battle for the Region 4 title. The winning team will advance to the state semi-finals, to be played on November 6th. Take a look at the five athletes that were recognized. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-224561 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/AceCaudill--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ace Caudill | Defensive Back/Athlete</strong> Not the biggest athlete on the field by any stretch of the imagination, but he’s an effort kid who leads by example. As a corner he almost always stays in position to make a play on the ball during passing plays. On running plays, Caudill is not afraid to stick his nose in there and make a tackle. He always goes low to make tackles and plays fearlessly. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-224562 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/BolWolford-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Bo Wolford |Offensive Line/Defensive Line</strong> Big Bo Wolford is one of the most impressive linemen in the entire state of Kentucky. His selection here should come as no surprise, as -foot-2, 251-pounder has put together one of the most impressive middle school resumes in the state. Last December, as a 7^th grader, he played up on Team Kentucky in the FBU National Championship tournament and should be a no-brainer to make the team again this year. He also earned a spot on the Kentucky Future Stars Team last year in the annual Kentucky/Tennessee Future Stars Game. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-224564 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/NickBaldwin--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Nick Baldwin | Defensive Line/Athlete</strong> Another kid who isn’t going to wow you with size right off the bat, but he just makes plays for the Pirates. At 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds he’s a versatile kid who can line up on the defensive line with his hand in the dirt or standing up as a linebacker as well. Personally, I’m a huge proponent of wrestlers transitioning well on the football field and Baldwin personifies this, as he reached the state finals in the wrestling tournament as a 7^th grader. He also made Team Kentucky in the FBU National Championship Tournament. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-224565 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/ChaseVarney-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212334" first="Chase" last="Varney"] | Quarterback</strong> A three-sport athlete for the Pirates, Varney is arguably the top quarterback in the entire state of Kentucky in the class of 2026. At 6-foot and 170 pounds, he is the size of an average varsity quarterback right now as just an 8^th grader. He stands tall in the pocket and makes a lot of difficult throws look very easy. The big righty has represented Belfry and the state of Kentucky very well throughout his middle school years, having earned a nod in the inaugural Battle of the Regions tournament last year, as well as Team Kentucky in the FBU National Championship Tournament. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-224566 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/CaydenVarney-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212333" first="Cayden" last="Varney"] | Athlete</strong> Don’t look now, but there’s another Varney that stars for Belfry. Cayden, twin brother of Chase,  is a jack of all trades when it comes to his ability.  This season alone, the 6-foot-1, 160-pound athlete has lined up at receiver, running back, corner back, safety and even wildcat QB to help play a big role on the Pirate’s success. He’s been a member of Team Kentucky for the past two years of the FBU National Championship tournament and, like his brother, was selected to the Battle of the Regions tournament last year. Big, strong workhorse kid who gets better the more times he touches the rock.