Answer : nobody

4 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Answer : nobody

^^

Pikeville is, rightfully so, the number one team in Class 1A.  They are much better in every facet of the game than any other team in the class.  That's just the way it is.  Does that mean they can't be beaten?  Of course not, everyone can have a bad night, and anyone can have their game of the season.  But, make no mistake about it, the title is Pikeville's to lose.  

The only two teams in Class 1A that has a shot, in my humble opinion, is Raceland and Newport Central Catholic.  

I did think NCC had the best shot, until their performance against Beechwood. No shame in how they competed, but they just didn't have to tools to play with Beechwood and I would put Pikeville on a very similar level as Beechwood.  If NCC couldn't complete with Beechwood, I doubt they are going to do much better against Pikeville.  

I think, at this point, and possible all season, Raceland has the best shot at beating Pikeville.  Does Raceland have some things to overcome to beat Pikeville, yes they do.   Their line play has to be much better.  The OL/DL is pretty good, but they are not in position to compete with the linemen and LB's of Pikeville.   That aspect of the game has to be better.  I think Raceland has the speed on the edges, and is space, to compete with Pikeville, that speed just has to be able to get to the edge, and in space.  The between the tackles game  has some of the tools needed to play with Pikeville, they have four RB's to rotate in and hit the whole hard and get tough yardage, but the aforementioned OL has to play better to put those RB's in a position to get to the second level.  On the D side of the ball:  the DL has to be able get a surge and allow the LB's to run freer.  The DB's have the talent and have done well, but they will have to do more.  Raceland has to get turnovers and be +2 in the category.  Limit turnovers and cause a few would be a huge key in a Raceland win over Pikeville.  

Sadly, the only game on Raceland's schedule that prepared them for a matchup with Pikeville was the Highlands game.  The rest of the games were just hurdles they had to get over to get to the next week.  Raceland is a great team and was not challenged other than the Highlands game, but Pikeville will be more than a challenge and possible something that they haven't been given the opportunity to properly prepare for. 

8 hours ago, gbballfan21 said:

Back to the Pikeville thread….but don’t throw out observations when you didn’t even watch the game. Pikeville is the clear favorite to win 1A, but anything can happen on a given day. Injuries always play a big part, if they stay healthy it’s gonna take a big time effort for someone to beat them.

That’s fine we can get back to that but like I said I’m just posting on what I heard on the radio. 
 

As in Pikeville my Pikeville friends told me this could be the best defense they have ever had or right up there with the 3 peat teams from 87-89. I agree I don’t see anyone beating them unless something major happens. 

53 minutes ago, Jason Bucklen said:

As in Pikeville my Pikeville friends told me this could be the best defense they have ever had or right up there with the 3 peat teams from 87-89. I agree I don’t see anyone beating them unless something major happens. 

I will trust what your Pikeville friends believe to be true, but I would be lying if I didn't say I thought saying this year's defense was as good as the 87-89 teams was a stretch.  I'm not saying this teams defense isn't good, but the level of the 87-89 teams was pretty spectacular.  

Playing around with the Calpreps predictor and the BGP Class 1A Top 10:

• Pikeville 35, #2 Raceland 21
• Pikeville 46, #3 Newport Central Catholic 17
• Pikeville 44, #4 Campbellsville 7
• Pikeville 49, #6 Bethlehem 19
• Pikeville 49, #7 Kentucky Country Day 7
• Pikeville 48, #8 Louisville Holy Cross 8
• Pikeville 52, #9 Williamsburg 6
• Pikeville beat Hazard (52-7) and Paintsville (36-0) during the regular season.

Bottom line: it will take a herculean effort by almost every team in Class 1A to not have a running clock against Pikeville. I do believe Hazard might be able to keep it competitive while Raceland is likely the only team with any realistic aspirations of winning the game.

Who competes with Pikeville?

Pikeville competes with Pikeville.

All they have to do to find their toughest competition is look in the mirror. The rest of 1A, even Raceland, will need Pikeville's cooperation to prevent another 'ship for the Panthers. Isaac Duty's development at quarterback has unlocked another dimension that I didn't expect them to have this year. They now have a legitimate passing game to compliment Birchfield.

2 hours ago, Ram said:

I will trust what your Pikeville friends believe to be true, but I would be lying if I didn't say I thought saying this year's defense was as good as the 87-89 teams was a stretch.  I'm not saying this teams defense isn't good, but the level of the 87-89 teams was pretty spectacular.  

Very good point those teams were dang good but these guys have been following the Panthers for a long time. Only time will tell.