What does Pike County Central need to do to improve in 2014? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

The Hawks are a complicated case.

 

Last year Pike Central had one of the better offensive teams in 3A with a young team. They significantly beefed up their schedule playing three Non-District games vs. teams that ultimately played in Regional Finals (might have been 4 teams had Fairview not had their KHSAA issues) in addition to playing Belfry in District play. The Hawks iMHO were probably a Top 10 3A team consistently..with moments of being a Top 5 team.

 

They return their versatile QB Mac Justice who put up eye popping stats, as well as their top two WR's. Their lines will remain relatively solid and they see significant experience return on defense. .With all honesty it appears Pike Central should be a Top 10 team once again with the potential to push as a Top 5 3A team.

 

BUT...

 

... there is seemingly a never ending drama scene on Buckley's Creek behind the scene. Their top OL and DL transferred to Pikeville. Chapman was openly associated with a couple different Head Coaching positions elsewhere and the rumor is the administration is not exactly 100% endorsing him as the future of their program. Deep into Chapman's tenure and the Hawks continue to struggle to maintain strong numbers and find the depth needed to overcome injuries. To complicate matters even more all of this is in lieu of one of the Hawk's strongest crop of Freshman entering into the system.

 

What it will all come down to is:

1) Can PC find someone to carry the ball aside from Justice scrambling. PC's offense works the best when they have some semblance of balance and a back that can hurt you both running and receiving.

2) Will PC be able to improve up front and on defense to compete with the better teams on their schedule, namely Belfry

3) Can Chapman overcome the mental hurdle of Belfry? No season could have been more frustrating as the Hawks actually had a substantial lead and a 26-14 Halftime lead on a night Belfry came out mistake prone. The end result was Belfry outscoring the Hawks 42-8 in the 2nd Half. Belfry continues to be Chapman's Moby Dick. Constantly making coaching gaffes and getting costly penalties that are detrimental.

As long as Chapman stays....there will be no consistency with program...too much drama!!