Hazard at Middlesboro Predictions/Updates

[Bac2369]

The Hazard Bulldogs will open the 2021 football season on the road. They will be making a trip to Middlesboro to face Larry French and his Yellow Jackets.  Hazard looks to hope to start there season off better than last year. The Bulldogs didn’t get its first win until October 23rd against Phelps. After the win,  The Bulldogs went on a 4 game winning streak, even knocking off the defending champions The Pikeville Panthers. But the Bulldogs streak would come to an end a week later at the hands of the Paintsville Tigers, who won the 2020 Class 1A Championship. Hazard will for seniors Andrew Ford, and Tyson Turner to carry the load for the Bulldogs.  
 Middlesboro comes into the season, having high hopes after having a great season last year at 6-1. There only loss come to the hands of Breathitt County. Larry French seems to already have things going in the right direction in just a couple years at the helm. It would be a huge opening win if Middlesboro could knock off Hazard at home. It’s been (rumored) but not confirmed yet, but hearing the Jackets beat the Paintsville Tigers in a scrimmage. If so thats just  another step forward that Coach French and his staff have accomplished. So this could be an exciting/under the radar type game.

 

Who wins this matchup? Does Hazard have enough, to come on the road and beat Middlesboro? Does Middlesboro defend its home turf or let Hazard play spoiler?

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Not sure how often they've played in the regular season but Hazard and Middlesboro have been playoff competitors five times over the years. Hazard beat Middlesboro 12-0 in 1970. Middlesboro won the other four playoff meetings: 22-0 in 1971, 41-12 in 1975, 49-14 in 1995, and 50-12 in the Yellowjackets' state championship season.

[Bac2369]

Middlesboro up 22-7 at the half.

[Bac2369]

Middlesboro still up 22-20 in the 4th.