Part 1, of what has become a yearly two part contest, will see Pikeville and Raceland both coming into the contest 1-1. Pikeville, foreseeably lost the season opener to 2A #1 CAL while Raceland lost the season opener in OT to 4A #8 Ashland. Both teams rebounded and won in week two, Pikeville shutting out 2A #8 Prestonsburg and Raceland dominated 6A PRP.

The first two weeks are over and it's time for the rubber to meet the road. This game will start the playoff outlook early by pitting the two favorites in Class 1A against one another. No matter who wins, there will likely be a re-match in a few months.

Last season in Week 3, Pikeville, mounted what may be the biggest comeback in recent memory, to beat the Rams 35-27, after several weather delays. Raceland returned the favor in the Semi-Finals to beat the Panthers 17-10. Both teams winning at home for the year. The Rams will be home in this early matchup and both teams would like to play the other at home come playoff time.

Who wins this playoffs in September matchup?

This one in going to to be a slobber knocker.

Raceland by 10+.

8 hours ago, Ram said:

Part 1, of what has become a yearly two part contest, will see Pikeville and Raceland both coming into the contest 1-1. Pikeville, foreseeably lost the season opener to 2A #1 CAL while Raceland lost the season opener in OT to 4A #8 Ashland. Both teams rebounded and won in week two, Pikeville shutting out 2A #8 Prestonsburg and Raceland dominated 6A PRP.

The first two weeks are over and it's time for the rubber to meet the road. This game will start the playoff outlook early by pitting the two favorites in Class 1A against one another. No matter who wins, there will likely be a re-match in a few months.

Last season in Week 3, Pikeville, mounted what may be the biggest comeback in recent memory, to beat the Rams 35-27, after several weather delays. Raceland returned the favor in the Semi-Finals to beat the Panthers 17-10. Both teams winning at home for the year. The Rams will be home in this early matchup and both teams would like to play the other at home come playoff time.

Who wins this playoffs in September matchup?

CAL is the 3A #1, not 2A #1.

Give me Pikeville 28-21.

These are the programs against which all others in 1A are judged. It's been two years since Pikeville won state and Raceland is still searching, but this is the most important game in the class.

#1 vs. #2

Seats will be hard to come by at Ram Stadium this Friday. Expect a sold out crowd and thousands watching on Raceland's streaming service.

🔗: Raceland News Network

Pikeville

This one has me torn.

These two mirror each other in a lot of ways: experience at quarterback, stable of receivers, Stiltner and Justice are possibly the two best backs in 1A, the offensive lines are a work in progress, and both are tough in the defensive front.

This has four quarter war written all over it.

I'll take Raceland at home. Then again, Pikeville plays well there.

I look for more offense than last year's playoff game, but not quite as much as the regular season encounter.

Look for special teams to play a huge role as both teams are strong in the kicking game.

As an old Pikeville guy, I just can't go against my Panthers. I agree, tons of similarities between the two. I think Pikeville takes this one and my confidence goes even higher if it goes to the kicking game. Pikeville's Santos set a new school record with 49 yarder this past week that would have been good from 50. That surpassed former all state Zach Burgy-Vanhooses' record of 47 yards. And he has such a smooth kicking motion. I think he can go further.

The poll is currently 20-12, Rams.

1 hour ago, theguru said:

The poll is currently 20-12, Rams.

I voted for Raceland, but my confidence in that pick is low. This is one of the more difficult games to call this week. Both are very good and margins for error are small.

1 minute ago, DevilMayCare said:

I voted for Raceland, but my confidence in that pick is low. This is one of the more difficult games to call this week. Both are very good and margins for error are small.

I voted Raceland too but after watching Pikeville last week I don't have high confidence in the pick.

I'm curious to see how the Panthers do on the first road game of season. Started preseason and first two games at home. So let's see how the travel up 23 does for them. Will they come out flat or on fire.

9 minutes ago, Bac2369 said:

I'm curious to see how the Panthers do on the first road game of season. Started preseason and first two games at home. So let's see how the travel up 23 does for them. Will they come out flat or on fire.

Raceland and Pikeville are the back half of a double header. They don't kick off until 8:30, possibly later if the heat pushes the first game back.

That could be a blessing for Pikeville after spending a couple of hours on a bus.

Raceland puts together a program reviewing the previous week's game, previewing the next one, and highlighting certain players each week. Discussion about Pikeville picks up around the 44:45 mark of the video below, but the whole show is worth your time.

"They (Pikeville) are the standard in Class A we all judge ourselves by..." - Coach Salmons

Salmons pinpoints three factors to decide the outcome: turnovers, explosive plays (creating and preventing), and the kicking game.