Big Five -0-

Imo, your pretty much spot on ATLCAT. Particularly your number 1 point. In past times when this topic came up with fellow Panther fans, what was common to hear was "It wouldn't benefit us that much." Like you stated, there are other East Ky. teams that would love to play single A Pikeville. I guess the thinking has been "why negotiate with a thug when you don't have too." Now that last statement is jmo. PCC now has a classy HC and staff, and they will be more competitive in the next few yrs. Personally i'm glad to see these two teams go up against each other. Hope for an injury free game.

Pikeville played a great game at Hazard despite all the penalties. But after that game, look at what was left. All you can say is the underclassmen got plenty of experience, and a banged up Daric Pugh got a chance to heal up. Believe me, Pikeville staff and fans would much rather be in a more challenging district. Don't mean to belittle our district opponents, but this is what it is. Got a feeling though, there will be plenty of talk(positive) in the weeks to come.

Definitely NOT a two tiger race. Watch for Pikeville to be clearly in the race. Both Beechwood and Paintsville have excellent teams, no doubt. Imo, Pikeville is right there with them. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out before it's over.

Well,as good as the Panthers looked offensively last week, the defense sputtered at times. Imo, this was a better Hazard team than advertised. This game will give Pikeville an opportunity to clean up those things on both sides of the ball, and to work on the defense. Phelps only dresses 15 players, so what do you do in a game such as this? Extend the rest for Daric Pugh's hip, and any other starter that needs rested. Give as many underclassmen as much reps as possible. What it is, is what it is.

Rams win this one. Raceland 28 Fairview 12

Sorry. Have to disagree. Pikeville made too many mistakes in that game. You can't do that against a good team the caliber of Paintsville. I will agree that Kash Daniel was determined to get into the end zone in overtime and just wasn't stopped.

Agree with that, and let's not forget Pikeville had Paintsville beat, then let them come back and win it by one point in overtime. In all reality, Pikeville gave the game away. However, a win is a win.

Something else to consider is, if you compare schedules of the three from the East, I think we'll see where both Raceland and Pikeville have played a stronger schedule than Paintsville, which may come back to haunt them in the playoffs.

Love to see a Pikeville/Beechwood classic. Been a long time, and it just might happen. The last time these two met up in a state title game was in 1991 when Brandon Burger ran wild on the Panthers.

Sorry to hear that Bac. Which one was he? Any time a player gets injured it's hard on the family, and the team. Hope it's not too serious.

Pikeville will have cut down on some silly mistakes, no doubt. However, when Hazard is lined up to punt, and NOBODY moves either side, then an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty is called on Pikeville for no reason, which gives Hazard a first down........then that is much of a stretch. Just one example of the officiating Friday evening. Glad this same bunch won't be officiating if (when) these two meet up in the playoffs. Agree. Imo, Kash Daniel is the difference between Paintsville and Hazard.

True Bac2369. I really think that was the turning point it the game. Hazard team sure don't have anything to hang their heads about. They are going to be hard to beat the 2nd time around.

True.The Hazard player did fumble the ball after Pikeville's defense made the stop on the what, 1/2 yard line? Then Pikeville gets a penalty for a player jumping twice in the air, celebrating the stop. From there, the Panthers drive the ball 99 yds. down field, capped off by a 59 yd. touchdown run by Daric Pugh. This game showed the Panther's Coaching staff however, they have some things to work on for sure; especially on defense. A whale of a game, and Hazard has a better team than some thought....... Including me. Hazards' got a fine QB, and the RB is very good too. These two meet in the playoffs, look out! Imo, that will be an even better game.

Yeah, I'd like to see this game, and see if Hazard can stop the run, or how much it can slow it down. I think it would be interesting to see the Panther's response with the passing game. Wyatt Battaile is a very proficient passer with a core of WRS with good hands and speed. Offensive line has to be ready though.

Hope Coach Mac opens this one up. Would like to see Chattlin Jarrell get open and into space. Don't think he's really had the opportunity to let us see what he is capable of just yet. I would keep Blake Charles at the FB position, just like last season. He looked real good on short yardage this past Friday. Up to this point in the season, he's only been playing on defense. Cody Charles does a good job at RB especially on jet sweeps Both he and Vanderbeck are very good at running that play. Daric Pugh is going to get his usual, however this would rest him some. I'd like to see Clay Slone, Vanderbeck, McNamee, and Jarrell , all part of a concentrated passing game. Wyatt Battaille, being only a Sophomore, has done a great job at the QB position. He does very well running the ball when he's open. Not bad for a kid of his size. I would keep him at QB if I I'm Coach Mac. I believe the Panthers can make a statement win if they play less conservative, and open it up a bit.

Both Pikeville and Hazard come into this game next Friday evening with convincing wins over their District opponents. The Panthers haven't won at Hazard since the playoff game in 1999. What's your perspective on this game?

Should have made myself clear. They took a knee, trying to not run the score up.

When you don't take the points, you take a knee.

No stats available. I missed almost all of the 1st qtr. However, this is what i got up to speed on. Coach Mac, as expected played as many as possible for the game experience, and to rest his starters. Sophomore Wyatt Battaile started at QB, and spread the wealth by completing passes to Clay Slone, AJ Vanderbeck, and Andrew McNamee. I think all three scores on pass receptions. Cody Charles looked very good, as well as Vanderbeck running jet sweeps. Blake Charles scores from short yardage. Daric Pugh played very little , although he had to scores from short yardage. After that, it was all JV, and underclassmen, who received valuable game experience. South Floyd's line has good size, and the QB looks pretty good as well as a couple of pretty good RBS. If Pikeville plays next Friday with the "fire in their bellies" as they did last night, it will be a great game at Hazard. One note to make that I can appreciate, was when the third stringers scored the last few times, Coach Mac instructed no extra point(s). You can appreciate the class.

The Pikeville Panthers got back in the winning column last night by defeating the South Floyd Raiders at Hillard Howard Field in Pikeville. The Raiders put up a good fight, and never gave up, but the Panthers were just too much.

Congrats to the Paintsville Tigers. Great win.

If you look in the commons area at PHS, there you will find a tapered wooden piece about 18" long.

Daric Pugh, as anyone could see in the Belfry game just didn't have that explosiveness through the hole like he did have. He looked to me like he was a step slower. Not that it would have made a difference in the out come of that game. Imo, he needs to take care of that hip, and prepare for the post season

Pikeville could name the score . No disrespect to South Floyd at all. However, Pikeville will be looking to get back to winning, and giving the young Panthers as much reps as possible. This game will be a good one to give Daric Pugh time to take care of some bangs and bruises. It will also give the young QB Wyatt Battaile an opportunity to hone his skills. Look for Coach Mac to call the Panthers off early.

Agree with all you said, especially the last paragraph. The Panthers do need a dual threat in the backfield, if for no other reason, just to keep the D guessing. Getting Jarrell out in space could have made some difference. Give credit to the Belfry D however, they were on him like a duck on a June bug.