Is this a good match up for both teams or could it hurt both teams?

 

For Pikeville, Henry Clay is going to be much bigger, faster, and stronger than anyone in Class A and HC may demoralize the Panthers by putting 50+ on them.

 

For Henry Clay, Pikeville has been down and even the best 1A teams would be a reach at best to help the Blue Devils prepare for a long 4A playoff run.

 

Maybe I am missing something but I think this game is a reach at best for both teams.

 

Anyone?

The only help I seeing this game having for Henry Clay is they will get to play everyone on their roster other then that this in my opinion is a horrible match up.

I don't like the match up personally. Playing Henry Clay will make Pikeville a better team as long as a blowout loss doesn't hurt their confidence. I really don't see what Henry Clay is going to gain from this game. I am a big fan of the Pikeville program and I hope they can make this a good game but it is doubtful at best.

 

With Pikeville's weak district schedule I like seeing Pikeville play tough nondistrict opponents and most years they play the toughest schedule of any Class A school in Eastern Kentucky. With Henry Clay, East Jessamine, Prestonsburg, and Belfry on the schedule this year it is once again a tough nondistrict schedule...I just think Henry Clay may be a little too much.

Pikeville is going to get absolutely pasted. Someone, please tell me this isn't a home game for Pikeville. I see Minnefield not playing in the second half. HC's Defense may be one of the fastest in the state. They have guys that can switch around. They moved Minnefield to safety probably so they can Blitz. That team freshmen year was great.

Do we even have to talk about it this early?! The Panthers have worked so hard during the off-season, I don't want to start talking about this game yet. Jeesh, what can you say? A single A school playing a 4A powerhouse to start off the season.......but we will soon see.

Quite frankly, this is one of the reasons why school's like HC have a hard time competing with Louisville schools come playoff time. They refuse to play a quality opponent like LexCath that might give them some insight as to where they stand. But they will blow-out a 1A team running an offense they will never confront late in the playoffs. Makes no sense to me. Last year prior to the game with Trinity a number of posters noted that HC had killed a number of teams including some lower divison powers implying that it was somehow relevant. Needless to say the Rocks ignored the hype and blew-out HC. I can't figure it out.

I kind of understand what you mean but playing Pikeville has to be better than playing a weak 4A school.That is if PIkeville is fielding the same type of team that i remember them having in years past.

Wow! Good luck to the panthers. As good as they are I still don't see an upset, but this would be either a good, or fun game to watch.

Does anyone think that the powers to be need to do a better job at creating games for this bowl? In the past I have overlooked some of the match-ups and drove 5-5 ½ hours to go and watch all four games but, this season I have decided to make the shorter drive to Louisville and watch all four Saturday games of the Ray Charger Classic9I think that is what the event is called) that is if they actually have it. I checked on the K.H.S.A.A. site and they have only one game list at noon for this event.

 

I still think they could make this event better by letting all of the County schools plays teams from outside the area. They could make it a three-day event which could give another school a chance to host or have three games each day. It can be done which has be shown by other events that do this.

It will be a big test for Pikeville. But I don't think they can stay in the game late but it will be good for them more than Henry Clay.

Quite frankly, this is one of the reasons why school's like HC have a hard time competing with Louisville schools come playoff time. They refuse to play a quality opponent like LexCath that might give them some insight as to where they stand. But they will blow-out a 1A team running an offense they will never confront late in the playoffs. Makes no sense to me. Last year prior to the game with Trinity a number of posters noted that HC had killed a number of teams including some lower divison powers implying that it was somehow relevant. Needless to say the Rocks ignored the hype and blew-out HC. I can't figure it out.

 

Good Point. The game will mean nothing

...they will blow-out a 1A team running an offense they will never confront late in the playoffs.

 

LSU,

No problem with your prediction (it seems to be the "conventional wisdom" that if we still have enough to field a team for week 2 it'll be a moral victory -- I completely understand why people would assert that given the quality of our opponent), but I am curious as to the SECOND point...

 

...what kind of offense exactly do you think is run at Pikeville? Don't quite a few teams in 4A football run the shotgun-spread offense?

LSU,

No problem with your prediction (it seems to be the "conventional wisdom" that if we still have enough to field a team for week 2 it'll be a moral victory -- I completely understand why people would assert that given the quality of our opponent), but I am curious as to the SECOND point...

 

...what kind of offense exactly do you think is run at Pikeville? Don't quite a few teams in 4A football run the shotgun-spread offense?

 

Trinity runs the spread offense, a version of it. But it won't help HC because of the calibur of team that everyone says Pikeville is.

LSU,

No problem with your prediction (it seems to be the "conventional wisdom" that if we still have enough to field a team for week 2 it'll be a moral victory -- I completely understand why people would assert that given the quality of our opponent), but I am curious as to the SECOND point...

 

...what kind of offense exactly do you think is run at Pikeville? Don't quite a few teams in 4A football run the shotgun-spread offense?

I retract point two, I must have Pikeville confused with someone else. I thought they were a running team. My mistake. FYI, I don't fault Pikeville for stepping up and playing this game. You know what they say... if it doesn't kill ya it makes ya stronger.

Does anyone think that the powers to be need to do a better job at creating games for this bowl?

 

Yes...If the current format of all 6 Pike County Schools playing in the Pike County Bowl and playing on Friday and Saturday continues then I hope Pikeville will choose to no longer participate in the Pike County Bowl and start their own bowl game. I don't think Pikeville would have any problem bringing in 3 good teams for a bowl game...of course I would love to see Belfry still in it.