An electric first half led to multiple scores in the game.  A couple of miscues in the punting game by Russellville resulted in a 30 to 13 lead for Pikeville right before the half.  Russellville returned a squib quick to the four and then connected on a 4-yard TD pass as time ran out to make the halftime score Pikeville 30 Russellville 20.

Russellville scored on a long run on the first play of their second drive of the 2nd half to pull within 3 at 30 to 27.  That score was the only score of the third quarter and the game headed into the 4th quarter with Pikeville still winning 30 to 27.

The 4th quarter was scoreless and the Pikeville Panthers hung on to win the Class 1A State Championship.

Congrats Pikeville!  Congrats Coach McNamee!

 

Congrats Pikeville and what a great way to kick off these championship games! 

Hopeful for a bunch of good games. 

Very fun ballgame. I think Russellville performed better than many were expecting. Pikeville made enough stops late to get the win.

Just now, gchs_uk9 said:

Very fun ballgame. I think Russellville performed better than many were expecting. Pikeville made enough stops late to get the win.

I agree, I was very impressed with Russellville.

Congrats Pikeville.

But really proud of Russellville!

Great season!

Congrats Pikeville.  You earned it!!!

I really thought Russellville had a championship drive going at the end.  They were 1st & 10 on the 18 and forgot the skill they had at running back ?

Great first game to start Championship weekend!

Valiant, valiant effort by Russellville that just comes up short.

Russellville relied on the big play all game and some key defensive stops and then they put together their first sustained drive of the game exactly when they needed it. Unfortunately it stalled out and the lost yardage on 3rd Down knocked them out of FG range.

Pikeville seemed to try to force a square peg into a round hole insisting on establishing their passing game in the 2nd Half. Russellville's secondary was OUTSTANDING all day and broke up several passes and Isaac McNamee never could find his rhythm. When they needed it Pikeville rode Birchfield to seal the game on the final posession and escape with the trophy.

Nothing for Russellville to hang their heads about. Maybe a couple Special Teams gaffes in the First Half and maybe a different play call on their final drive and we are talking about this game a different with a different outcome. 

Congrats to Pikeville! Congrats to Russellville being runner up!

State championship #6 for the Pikeville Panthers.

Birchfield was a horse in the first half and again when Pikeville needed him to run it out at the end. It wasn't the blowout most expected, but Pikeville was the wire to wire #1 in 1A for 2021. The Panthers from Pike County dialed up some defense when they needed it most to deny what was looking more and more like a state title winning drive by the Panthers from Logan County.

Russellville made the champs work more than anyone in the class this year. Tremendous effort from them and glad to see them back in the championship picture. They battled tooth and nail with a loaded Pikeville squad.

I don't think it should be understated how important that Pikeville 23 yard FG with :23 to go in the first half was. 

Exciting way to kickoff championship weekend. Congratulations to Pikeville!

Congrats to Eastern Ky Ville!!

 

Pic also courtesy of Camille's twitter account:

 

Congratulations Pikeville! Great game. Russellville played a better game than people thought they would. Good season.