Class 1A

 

It was a separation Friday in Class 1A with some huge games helping to sort the pack. Beechwood may have lost to 3A Corbin, but they still proved they are one of the better small school teams in the State. Pikeville put everyone on alert by dominating Paintsville. Both the Tigers and Panthers take it up yet another notch this week drawing perhaps both team's stiffest regular season opponent. Raceland needed two days to put away a solid 4A Greenup County and Hazard came up short against 2A Somerset. The biggest game featuring two 1A teams will be Paintsville travelling to Williamsburg.

 

1. Beechwood at 5A #1 Covington Catholic

2. Pikeville vs. 3A #4 Belfry

3. Raceland vs. Valley OH (9/15)

4. Hazard -- OPEN

5. Paintsville at #9 Williamsburg

6. Campbellsville vs. 2A Monroe County

7. Crittenden County vs. 2A Webster County

8. Louisville Holy Cross at Paris

9. Williamsburg vs. #5 Paintsville

10. Ludlow at 2A Newport

The big game this week is not who number one and number two are playing against. The big game is Paintsville versus Williamsburg.

The big game this week is not who number one and number two are playing against. The big game is Paintsville versus Williamsburg.

 

Paintsville has been given the benefit of the doubt thus far but they've not done much to warrant too high of a ranking. 5th seems about right, but Ludlow has a similar resume and Campbellsville may have a better one. I need to see Paintsville compete and win against a top tier opponent - something they didn't do against Frederick Douglass or Pikeville.

Great to see my Ludlow Panthers getting some love.

Can any other team catch up to Beechwood and Pikeville?

Can any other team catch up to Beechwood and Pikeville?

 

Raceland is in that group with those two. We get to find out in two weeks if Hazard is in this group as they play Pikeville September 28th.

Can any other team catch up to Beechwood and Pikeville?

 

Raceland for sure.

 

I would take Pikeville over Raceland now, but I would anticipate it would be a whale of a game.

We will know more about Pikeville this week after the Belfry game. I am not expecting a win for Pikeville but am interested in how that game goes. From what we have seen to date and the general views each people have shared on each team, that should be a game similar to Beechwood and Corbin. I will not be shocked if Pikeville wins but will consider it an upset.

Raceland for sure.

 

I would take Pikeville over Raceland now, but I would anticipate it would be a whale of a game.

Food for thought....

Pikeville returns pretty much every player from last year and have improved. Raceland lost a few players but are much improved over last year’s team, especially offensively. I look for a very close game if it comes down to these 2 again. Most people are saying it’s Pikeville’s to lose in the East. Maybe that’s real good for Raceland. I think we embrace the underdog role and play better when we’re dismissed.

Raceland for sure.

 

I would take Pikeville over Raceland now, but I would anticipate it would be a whale of a game.

 

One other thing. Everyone keeps saying how Pikeville competes win or lose against Belfry will tell us how good they are. Well, Raceland should’ve beaten #1 4A Ashland in week 1 and statistically won everything but the scoreboard. I think we should get a little love for how we played.

We will know more about Pikeville this week after the Belfry game. I am not expecting a win for Pikeville but am interested in how that game goes. From what we have seen to date and the general views each people have shared on each team, that should be a game similar to Beechwood and Corbin. I will not be shocked if Pikeville wins but will consider it an upset.

 

If Pikeville plays with Belfry or even wins, they will be a force to be reckoned with. I think Belfry might be the best team in 3a.

Can any other team catch up to Beechwood and Pikeville?

 

Not sure Pikeville can catch up to Beechwood.

If Pikeville plays with Belfry or even wins, they will be a force to be reckoned with. I think Belfry might be the best team in 3a.

 

I am not sure Belfry is as good as they have been. This game will be a good test for them also. Pikeville is much better than Newport Catholic and not that far behind the Huntington WV team that beat Belfry. I see Belfry as a 7-10 point favorite. If Pikeville hangs within 7-10 points, then they are nipping at Beechwood's heels. If Pikeville beats Belfry, then I think you have to say Pikeville should be ranked #1 (and Belfry is definitely not as good as they have been). If Belfry wins by more than 14, then Pikeville may not be quite as good as some think they are.

I am not sure Belfry is as good as they have been. This game will be a good test for them also. Pikeville is much better than Newport Catholic and not that far behind the Huntington WV team that beat Belfry. I see Belfry as a 7-10 point favorite. If Pikeville hangs within 7-10 points, then they are nipping at Beechwood's heels. If Pikeville beats Belfry, then I think you have to say Pikeville should be ranked #1 (and Belfry is definitely not as good as they have been). If Belfry wins by more than 14, then Pikeville may not be quite as good as some think they are.

 

Belfry also has its starting quarterback back now.

Raceland is in that group with those two. We get to find out in two weeks if Hazard is in this group as they play Pikeville September 28th.

 

I know its just one game, and I can't speak for where Hazard sits compared to Pikeville yet, but they came up short against a team in somerset (although good) that was losing to BW 28-0 after a quarter and a half of football. I'm not sure if Hazard is close to the top 2 as of now. Definitely excited to see how that Pikeville matchup turns out.