Pikeville Panthers ?

2024 Outcome: 7-6, lost in the Regional Finals to Sayre. 

2025 Outlook: Pikeville’s 3-year reign as the king of Class A came to an end in 2024, losing to eventual State Champ Sayre in the Regional Finals. While the Panthers showed glimpses of brining home a 4th straight title, injuries and offensive production ultimately spelled doom for Pikeville. After finishing 7-6, the Panthers will look to return to Kroger Field in 2025. 

? Brenden Anthony (RB/LB) | Isaac Duty (QB) | Blake Caudill (RB/DE) | Lane Ford (OL) | Bradyn Hall (WR) | Will Herald (OL) | Isaiah Stanley (RB/LB) | Deonte Stevens (DB) 

? Jeremiah Anderson (LB) | Kingston Braxton (ATH/DB) | Drew Ferguson (OL/DL) | Mikey Hager (WR/DB) | Jayden Justice (RB/LB) | Henry McNamee (OL/DL) | JJ Reynolds (QB) | Cole Slone (WR/DB) Caden Thacker (OL/DE) | Quentin Warren (WR/DB) 

The biggest question for Pikeville heading into the 2025 season is how to replace the production from Mr. Do-It-All, Brenden Anthony. Anthony was a force on both sides of the ball. As a 4-year starter, #35 finished his career as the all-time tackling leader in PHS history. While Anthony will go down as one of the all-time great LBs in Panther history, his production on the offensive side of the ball may be even harder to replace. Even though his numbers this past season weren’t as impressive as his junior campaign, Pikeville must find a way to replace his offensive production if it hopes to return to Kroger Field in 2025.

Enter JJ Reynolds. The junior-to-be QB will take over as the signal caller for the Panthers, replacing 3-year starter, Isaac Duty. Reynolds will bring a true dual-threat role to the QB position, something Pikeville hasn’t had since 2018. With a deadly combination of accuracy and speed, the Panthers will have a chance to open up the playbook with Reynolds at the helm. He’ll have plenty of weapons at his disposal too, with Kingston Braxton, Cole Slone, Quentin Warren, and Jayden Justice returning for the Panthers. The OL returns 3 starters, but will need some young guys to step up. On the defensive side of the ball, Pikeville returns 6 starters and a couple of other guys who got meaningful experience. 

Pikeville’s goal every season remains unchanged, Kroger or bust. There will be a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball for the Panthers, but look for Pikeville to compete for another Class A title in 2025  

 

Imo, good assessment for the upcoming Panther season. Looking back at the 2014 season, Austin Charles was the starting QB, and a very good one. The reason I bring his name up is he was a similar QB as Reynolds. He wasn't that tall but he made up for it with his speed and his arm. He led the Panthers to a 29-20 victory over Belfry, and led the team to a semi State appearance.

Reynolds certainly doesn't have the height of Issac Duty, but he would be easily compared to Austin Charles during that time, and it could be that Panther fans will be pleasantly surprised. Would also like to add that RB Jr. Jacob Brown could get several reps at that position. He looked very quick with lots of speed when he got some reps this past season. Wouldn't be surprised to see this team back at Kroger this season.

Just like every year Pikeville will beat the Dallas Cowboys if they were on the schedule. Yada yada yada……

3 hours ago, Bengal Boy said:

Just like every year Pikeville will beat the Dallas Cowboys if they were on the schedule. Yada yada yada……

Great analysis. Thanks for the contribution. 

4 hours ago, Bengal Boy said:

Just like every year Pikeville will beat the Dallas Cowboys if they were on the schedule. Yada yada yada……

I mean, they had a down year... but there were at least six teams on their schedule last year better than the Cowboys... 

This was truly a year for Pikeville to look back on the “what ifs”. Injuries, coupled with the brutal schedule, played a large role in their RPI and ultimately playing Sayre when they did. Lots of rumors that HC Chris McNamee was close to considering retirement if he had a chance to go out on top. I want to emphasize these were RUMORS I heard, not facts. With him at the helm, they will always be a factor in A, and honestly, would be a factor at most levels. He surrounds himself with a great staff, has tremendous community support, and has a great feel for the game that he is able to get across to his players and staff. Looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings for them. 

Don't really think Coach Mac is considering retirement anytime soon. With what he has coming in from that state championship Freshman class, then couple that with a very good sophomore and Junior class, it would be hard to walk away from considering the future talent of this group. 

When the time does come for his retirement, the D coordinator would be an excellent replacement. He, like Coach Mac is an accomplished player at PHS back in the day. Both are solid Pikeville faithful. Hoping that 25 will be a great year for these young men and those injuries will be in the rear view where it belongs.

47 minutes ago, Carlito said:

Don't really think Coach Mac is considering retirement anytime soon. With what he has coming in from that state championship Freshman class, then couple that with a very good sophomore and Junior class, it would be hard to walk away from considering the future talent of this group. 

When the time does come for his retirement, the D coordinator would be an excellent replacement. He, like Coach Mac is an accomplished player at PHS back in the day. Both are solid Pikeville faithful. Hoping that 25 will be a great year for these young men and those injuries will be in the rear view where it belongs.

I’ve heard for many years now that Sullivan has been the head coach in waiting?

Old 606 you must have been partaking in some of that stuff that was imported in from Clay County if you think Pikeville would be a factor in almost any class in the state other than class A.  The only reason Pikeville has been dominant for the past decade is because they play class A football.  If they were in any other class they would be a good team that occasionally makes it to the semis or every 7-8 years might make it the Kroger field.  Those are the facts like it or not.

4 hours ago, Bac2369 said:

I’ve heard for many years now that Sullivan has been the head coach in waiting?

That seems to be the consensus of many Pikeville fans. However, Imo, that's quite a bit down the road.

So far for the schedule:

Aug 22 at Christian Academy Louisville
Aug 29 vs. Cabell Midland (WV) (Pike County Bowl)
Sep 5 vs. Raceland
Sep 12 - OPEN
Sep 19 at Belfry
Sep 26 - OPEN
Oct 3 - OPEN
Oct 10 vs. Paintsville (District)
Oct 17 - OPEN
Oct 24 at Hazard (District)
Oct 31 - OPEN

1 hour ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

So far for the schedule:

Aug 22 vs. Christian Academy Louisville
Aug 29 vs. Cabell Midland (WV) (Pike County Bowl)
Sep 5 vs. Raceland
Sep 12 - OPEN
Sep 19 at Belfry
Sep 26 - OPEN
Oct 3 - OPEN
Oct 10 vs. Paintsville (District)
Oct 17 - OPEN
Oct 24 at Hazard (District)
Oct 31 - OPEN

Schedule I have shows the game on 8/22 at CAL this year.

1 hour ago, Unrivaled97 said:

Schedule I have shows the game on 8/22 at CAL this year.

Ahh, you're right. That was just an error on my part when I was typing things in.

On 1/21/2025 at 5:10 PM, Bengal Boy said:

Old 606 you must have been partaking in some of that stuff that was imported in from Clay County if you think Pikeville would be a factor in almost any class in the state other than class A.  The only reason Pikeville has been dominant for the past decade is because they play class A football.  If they were in any other class they would be a good team that occasionally makes it to the semis or every 7-8 years might make it the Kroger field.  Those are the facts like it or not.

There are many bad takes on here that fall under:

1. Hater

2. Don't know what they don't know

3. Mix of both

But this one ranks at the top, of what I hope (for you), falls under the 1 spot.