Plenty of pride in Paintsville and Johnson County

 

By TIM PRESTON The Daily Independent

PAINTSVILLE On the autumn end of a year that began with floods and fire, people in Paintsville and Johnson County are riding a wave of hometown pride as athletes from both local high schools push toward the state semifinals.

 

“It seems to me the community has come together as a whole in ways I haven’t seen in a long time,” said Barbara Burchett Pugh, whose own family’s history is deeply intertwined between the often rival Paintsville and Johnson County school systems.

 

Complicating the picture coming into Friday night’s game, she chuckles as she explains Pikeville’s standout fullback, Daric Pugh, is her nephew.

 

She posted a yard sign Thursday bearing the message, “We love you Daric, but BEAT PIKEVILLE,” along with a sign declaring equal support for Johnson Central’s football players, as part of an ongoing pep campaign in front of their downtown home.

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Good luck to both programs. Hope they both win it all.

Sure appears that Football in Johnson county is strong right now! Keep it up coaches and players! We would love to end this with 2 State Titles!