Raceland (2-0) travels to Pikeville (1-1) to set the tone for the top of Class 1A.  

Raceland has established a strong running game with a Three headed monster in the backfield with Marushi, Stiltner and Arnett. But they are a capable passing offense as well. Raceland’s defense has allowed 14 points each game this season. 

Pikeville has passed and ran with confidence and has a strong front seven on defense. 

Who wins this early Class 1A playoff type game? 

Pikeville played a young and rebuilding Cabell Midland team to me this not a game to gauge where Pikeville is at. As always Pikeville is a very well coached football team and will be ready to play Raceland. But this time I think the Rams win by nine points. It’s going to be good game as usual!

Big Game!  Pulling for the Rams this year. 
They are due!

I have to say, the first two games have allowed Raceland to prepare for the season well. 
 

Against Ashland, the Rams really worked on the running game and didn’t stray from it, even when the game was close. Totaling 247 yards on the ground against a strong Ashland defense.  Stiltner led the way with 126 yards and one TD. Marushi added 72 and Arnett added another 48 and the second TD.  Raceland only passed for three yards. 
 

Against PRP, the Rams seemed to plan on leaning on the pass no matter what.  Throwing 15 passes and completing 11 for 247 passing yards and 4 TDs. Davison led the way with, just shy of, 100 yards receiving and 2 TDs. Ison added another 54 receiving yards and Rowsey added another 49 yards with a TD. 
 

The OL for the Rams has been the catalyst for the offense and has allowed both the run and the pass to be effective. 

I expect a balanced approach versus Pikeville.  Starting with a strong ground attack and moving to the pass when the running gets difficult.  

Raceland’s defense has been consistently strong versus the run and done well versus the pass when asked to. The Rams’ defense has allowed 14 points per game in two games. 

My question is how vanilla will the offense be for both? I do expect Raceland to lean on the run game I expect Pikeville to have quite a few RPOs.

8 minutes ago, Bac2369 said:

My question is how vanilla will the offense be for both? I do expect Raceland to lean on the run game I expect Pikeville to have quite a few RPOs.

I would say both coaches will try to play it close to the vest, but we know Raceland will run all three running backs.  I don’t think they will pass much unless Pikeville stacks the box with 9, like they did against Cabell Midland. Then we will see the typical Raceland bubble screens and jail breaks. I doubt the Rams go vertical much. 
 

Again, we know Pikeville will run the isos and RPO/play action. I don’t think the Panthers will get too complex this match-up. 
 

It’s cliche, but this one will come down to defense. Pikeville will have to respect the Raceland passing game and won’t be able to pin their ears back very much. That will create some running lanes and I think the Rams will have a good rushing game. 
 

Raceland’s defense is pretty balanced with a strong front seven and some DBs that will take the ball out of the air if you give them a chance. I think Pikeville will have to rely on the run more and don’t have enough options to fool anyone. 

Underrated game of the week. I’ll take pikeville in a 14-13 nailbiter. 

Big boy football game! Prior to the season I think I would lean with Raceland by 14-21. Pikeville has exceeded my expectations a little bit. They look sharper on offense and defense than I expected.

 

Ultimately the King of 1A typically comes down to who wins the LOS. Pikeville's recent dynasty has had a lot to credit to how they have simply been next level up front. I think this year Raceland is game for that challenge.

 

I will say Raceland wins 28-14 getting a score in a non-traditional fashion... either a kick return, a defensive TD, or something of the like.

Raceland 35

Pikeville 21

Another wrinkle to this matchup:  the kicking game.  Both teams have a capable placekicker.  

Raceland 

Raceland QB Jacob Waller performs double duty on field goals.  He is 5/5 on PATs and hit the game winning 36 yard field goal to beat Ashland as time expired.  

Seth Morris is the kickoff specialist and normally kicks to the 5-10 yard line, but is capable of touchbacks.  He is 3/4 on PATs.  

 

Pikeville 

Pikeville hasn't added their stats for the Cabell Midland game, but has a quality place kicker in Steven Gonzalez-Santes.   He was 1/1 on PATs versus CAL and had a touchback against Cabell Midland.  

Pikeville is beefing up security for Raceland’s trip to town.  

Congratulations Jason Merlo and thank you for all you have done and will do as School Resourse Office at Pikeville High School.  Officer Merlo is being sworn in by District Judge Robbie Wright.

I think Pikeville has won nine of the last ten meetings.

Raceland 22-20.

Pikeville holds a 10-4 record since 2011. Pikeville has averaged 22.57 or 23 points in this matchup. Raceland has averaged 15.28 or 15 points in this game. Pikeville is 6-2 in the Playoffs in the matchup.

The Midland game was the first time I've gotten a look at JJ Reynolds. He looked confident running the offense and obviously has the physical tools. I also liked the play calling and tempo Pikeville played with, which featured a lot of pre determined, quick hitting throws. 

They pounced on Midland and never took their foot of the gas. If they come out with the same tempo and aggression, I think they pull this one out. The game will eventually level out because Raceland is rock solid across the board, so a fast start is probably more important for Pikeville. It's usually the other way around, with the opposition needing the fast start against the Panthers, but Raceland's running game has the ability to keep the ball away from Pikeville and take the air out of Hambley.

These two are going to knock the hell out of each other. I just have a feeling Pikeville is going to get the fast start it needs, feeding off of the home crowd.