The two favorites from the East lost. Paintsville, the expected final representative from the East, lost to District rival Raceland. Hazard lost to a Pikeville team that struggled in the first half of the season. Which loss surprised you the most? What happened to the two favorites? Is football the most difficult sport to beat a team twice? Since both lost at home, is home field advantage overrated?

Paintsville losing is the most surprising because they nearly had a running clock the first game but I’ve seen before though.

 

 

Paintsville might of been over confident and planning ahead.

 

Hazard was their own worst enemy with turnovers and penalties. Hazard controlled the trenches and moved the ball all night but Pikeville tightend up in the red zone.

 

It’s very hard to beat a good team twice. Class A has seen it for years both Raceland knows amen hazard as well and Pikeville and especially Paintsville.

 

Better to play at home than on the road and I believe.

It might be a surprise, but saying Paintsville lost because they were looking ahead is weak. If they were looking past a regional championship game against a quality opponent then they got what they deserved. Bottom line is the Rams outplayed Paintsville. Looking at Paintsville's schedule, they only had two teams push them for four quarters besides Raceland (Hurricane, WV a 17-13 loss, & Hazard - a 12-7 win). Raceland has played a good solid schedule and had several close games with quality opponents so they were battle tested. Paintsville hadn't really been pushed outside of the two mentioned games. Sometimes that makes a big difference later in the season & the playoffs.

It might be a surprise, but saying Paintsville lost because they were looking ahead is weak. If they were looking past a regional championship game against a quality opponent then they got what they deserved. Bottom line is the Rams outplayed Paintsville. Looking at Paintsville's schedule, they only had two teams push them for four quarters besides Raceland (Hurricane, WV a 17-13 loss, & Hazard - a 12-7 win). Raceland has played a good solid schedule and had several close games with quality opponents so they were battle tested. Paintsville hadn't really been pushed outside of the two mentioned games. Sometimes that makes a big difference later in the season & the playoffs.

I have to agree with all you have said. But, we have to accept Paintsville won the first matchup and made them the favorite in the rematch. And, the Rams were battle tested prior to the first matchup so something else had to influence the second matchup. I have to say what I have said many times in recent years with the current alignment, "it is difficult to beat a quality team twice in one season".

Just for point of clarification, the strength of schedule for Paintsville and Raceland is pretty close. Take away the games against each other, Paintsville had three wins better than Raceland's best win. Hurricane WV is the highest rated opponent for either team. If these two teams played again tomorrow, Paintsville would be favored to win.

 

Of the two games being discussed here, Raceland's win over Paintsville is the more surprising one for me.