GRAYSON, Ky. (WSAZ) - The high school football season kicked off Friday night in Kentucky and Ohio.

The Belfry Pirates played their first game since the death of their longtime, legendary head coach Philip Haywood.

Haywood died in January after a car accident.

He’d been the head coach at Belfry an astounding 41 seasons.

Friday night, Belfry visited East Carter.

Coaches and players have said they want to honor Coach Haywood with their play on the field this year.

New head coach Matt Varney was an assistant under Haywood and played for him in the 1990s.

“Our guys have worked all winter, and it’s been tough emotionally,” Varney told WSAZ before kickoff. “It’s gonna be a tough season, but these guys are resilient. They want to go out and play hard and play the best that they can for the

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