Prestonsburg Blackcats (5-0) | Betsy Layne Bobcats (5-0)

Floyd County Rivals Take Center Stage In EKY For Battle Of Unbeatens

Series History: Prestonsburg leads 29-3 all-time. A generation or two came and went in Floyd County knowing nothing but Blackcats>Bobcats. Betsy Layne was an afterthought on Prestonsburg's schedule from 1987-2022, when the Blackcats won 25 straight in the series.

Present Day: After decades spent as a punching bag, the Bobcats returned fire last year, sweeping the regular season and playoff encounters. The shoe is now on the other foot.

Both sides come in rolling, with matching 5-0 records. For what it's worth, Betsy Layne (#4) and Prestonsburg (#7) are highly ranked by the RPI, but the human polls continue to look the other way. 

Andrew McCutcheon carries the mail for BL as one of the state's leading rushers, averaging over 200 yards per game. Slowing him will be a top priority for a Blackcats defense allowing just 12 ppg, led by Alex Harris’ 12 tackles for loss so far this season. 

This game won't register on the state's richter scale, but with Pikeville and Johnson Central on the road and Belfry sharpening its cutlass to carve up Magoffin County, this is the main event for the eastern corner of the state and should unfold in front of a packed house at Prestonsburg, a place Betsy Layne has never won.

Be there or be.... 

 

Bump.

I came prepared to discuss this one in the final segment of this weeks Gamechangers and blew it.  I knew Andrew McCutcheon was THE guy in this matchup and misread my notes and picked Prestonsburg.  I need to stick to Western Kentucky football, obviously.  I will extend an apology to Mr. McCutcheon and the Bobcats by officially changing my pick.

28-21 BL

Both teams are run heavy, which opens up the possibility of someone getting lulled to sleep for a deep ball. That's something to keep an eye on.

I like P'burg's defense to settle it in the end. And the Blackcats have scored six non-offensive touchdowns this year. Every turnover or kick return is an opportunity for six. That mentality becomes infectious. 

Bump.