Pikeville 2015

[Ram]

What does Pikeville need to do to improve in 2015? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

[Varneystone]

Pikeville loses their starting QB, 2 linemen, an excellent LB and a couple young men who started on both sides of the ball. One of whom was a record setting WR, speed demon and team leader. Clearly, there will be some huge voids which must be filled if Pikeville is to repeat their regular season success.

On the positive side, the team is loaded with young talent and the leading rusher returns after an extraordinary season. In addition the panthers have an underclassman at RB who showed flashes of speed, as well as a transfer from Prestonsburg who will likely make an impact at WR, along with several other talented WR's already in place.

It seems keeping the starting RB healthy will be paramount, while I look for the new QB to have much success if adequately protected. Pikeville plays a tough schedule outside of district and marginal within, so they could lose as many as 3 games during the regular season and still be a viable contender to play in Bowling Green.

Playing Letcher Central, Belfry, Hazard and Paintsville will truly test the panthers and going 2-2 in those games would be indicative of a deep playoff run.

[ATLCat]

Pikeville will have a quality squad and season.

 

RB Daric Pugh will be one of the best players in 1A and the Charles kid will be tough on both sides of the ball.

 

Pikeville has a solid nucleus up front as well and as mention the Jarrell kid from Pburg brings quickness and about three years of starting experience from Pburg.

 

The biggest question for Pikeville is how do you replace Cody Estep?

Estep was Pikeville's best player IMHO, and also their emotional spark plug. He was a big play threat on offense at WR, he was a devastating open field blocker, he was dangerous in special teams, and on defense he was one of the best DB's in the state. Estep rarely missed tackles and saved countless Touchdowns.

 

Losing Austin Charles at QB will be tough as well... though he would not be on anyone's short list for the best in the state..he was effective and seemed like he had been at Pikeville for six years. They also lost their best LB in Maynard, their sensational kicker Allara, and their best linemen in Patton.

 

With all that said I still like Pikeville's promise and think they have aligned themselves as the second best team in the East behind Raceland.