ATLCat

4th and 4 now but this time Pikeville stops them.

Belfry converts 4th and 6 to the Pikeville 29.

Birchfield 8 yard TD run. Late in 1st 14-7 Pikeville

Pikeville facing a 4th and 10 at Belfry 20 and convert with a draw to Birchfield.

7-7 in 1st Birchfield with a 31 yard TD run and Woolum with a 54 yard TD run for Belfry.

Check out this from Pikeville.... That's how you make a statement and sell your program.

Let's see.... A win vs. one of the proudest programs in KY history. A narrow loss to a 6A team from TN who was in the State Semi's last year. An even more narrow loss to the defending IN State Champs. Does it appear SW is as good as they were last year? Probably not... but there is nothing so far to suggest they still shouldn't be considered a 5A title contender.

In regards to Union County... A veteran, athletic team, playing with a chip on their shoulder from a close playoff loss in 2021 to a team they beat in the regular season.... That's something no team should take lightly. I am kind of pulling for them in the West just for the sake of seeing some new blood in the State Finals and how their community would have the chance to rally.

To be fair, CAL also got roughed up by LCA last year and then they flipped the script on this year. Strange things can happen, but at first glance CAL looks to be the team we thought they were going to prove to be in 2021. CAL's run defense has been absolutely superb so far. Through 4 games opponents have ran the ball 94 times for 108 rushing yards. That's a per game average of 27 yards per game and a per carry average of 1.1 yards. Generally speaking, if you want to win 3A with the traditional top teams you better start by being able to defend the run. CAL appears well equipped to do that.

Really want to go to Monroe County sometime after seeing the True South episode this past week. Green County wins though.

Congrats to him... but I will also say this may be one to keep an eye on. Neal Brown's seat is getting red hot at WVU and has never been hotter than after an 0-2 start with a loss to Kansas. If WVU parts ways with Neal will be interesting to see if he re-opens his recruitment.

Whatever happened last week on Pikeville's BYE week will be key. This should be the week we see which Offensive mentality the Panthers are planning to take to pursue a State Title. Either they will lean into the ground and pound with the explosive Boykins at QB or they will continue to stay on brand with a balanced offense relying on the arm of their underclassmen QB and young WR's. I think Pikeville has the overall better team right now, but if Pikeville tries to force balance and are unsuccessful it will really play into Belfry's hands. If Pikeville is content running the ball 5 yards a pop with Birchfield I am not sure Belfry can sustain enough success to beat them. Additionally, if Pikeville is able to establish a run/pass balance then I don't see Belfry beating them at all. I will lean toward Pikeville by a TD.

I am starting to think if you want to beat Brandon Smith your best option is to put (__) at the end of your name and insert a different state abbreviation.

I think it still applies,,, just instead of a lecture on sportsmanship it is more of a lecture on preparedness instead lol

Class 3A you have a problem!

Belfry 53 Carries 335 yards Dre Young 28 Carries 192 yards

Another barn burner in this unlikely rivalry. Belfry put a 10 play 56 yard drive to lead to their final FG. Excellent bounce back win for the young Pirates as they continue to mature in a hard hitting game against the always talented Yellowjackets.

Belfry looking for a 24 yard FG to take the lead with seconds to go.

I think Raceland's defense is a little better than they are being given credit for. With that said, depth and conditioning matters. Raceland hangs tough but Highlands distances themselves later. Highlands 35-14.

Both teams really need this win.

If this were in Paintsville I would take JC in a close one. Playing at Ironton is a whole different animal. Tanks Memorial is a really tough place to win unless you are the clear superior team. I will take Ironton 28-14.

I watched that game broadcast: 1. Tilghman definitely got the short end of the stick from officiating. Hate it for them as you could tell they wanted this win badly, but playing on the road you have to be ready for it. It wasn't anything bizarre or malicious happening. There were a few calls that seemed to go Tilghman's way that were questionable, but if we were looking at judgement calls I would say it was about 80-20 in favor of the Cards. The line judge struggled, but to be fair he consistently struggled all night on both sides of the ball. All night he was marking the ball and forward momentum further than it appeared to gain. It was just that a couple of the most obvious and key moments where you need to get it right is when he definitely failed. There seemed to also be a hair trigger on flags for yapping. It is an emotional, rivalry game, that was evenly fought... be firm but give the kids room to have emotion. The game never teetered on the verge of losing control or dirty play, no need to throw 15 yard flags that effect the outcome of drives. 2. Mayfield still did the small things that won the game in the end. They played like a team used to beating PT and at times PT played like a team used to being beat by Mayfield. I felt Tilghman forced a few things and tried to force balance a little too much. Mayfield couldn't stop Rider but the Cards' secondary clearly had the talent to match up with the PT receivers. My issue isn't in the balance of plays: It was over 2:1 rushes to passes, but I do think I would have liked to have seen a little more complimentary passes dialed up. The vertical passing game wasn't there. More hitches, slants, or a designed check down to Rider may have had a little more success. 3. Mayfield also suffered from a similar affliction. Seemed they really were trying to force the Wildcat, especially in the red zone. Tilghman played them really tough in the run game. Would have either liked to see some zone with Starks or bring the accurate Cartwright and trust him to get the ball on the money and force a DB to make a play. Tilghman completely sold out and knew where the Wildcat run lanes were. 4. I came away further confident that Tilghman is a legitimate 3A Title favorite and I came away that Mayfield was clearly one of the four best 2A teams in the State but still need a lot of work to close the gap to Beechwood and LCA.

Green County vs. Taylor County is a good water level marker. Green County needs to be able to win this one comfortably to validate they are a player. if LCA polishes off CAL and Beechwood loses I think it will be hard to ignore LCA's resume. This would be a 6A loss for each team but LCA's wins to date would be more impressive. If Beechwood wins they stay #1. To me Madison Central and Simon Kenton are comparable teams. Walton-Verona needs to have a good showing, not overly impressed with their three wins at all.

Union County has my attention. CAL has played up and won by a combined score of 135-0 so far. If CAL can play LCA close, let alone win, then I think it cements them as a co-favorite. Belfry is a long way away on defense but that team will probably improve more than any other 3A team between now and November. Bell County is a lowkey team to watch. That North Laurel win looks great now but the Knox Central loss still hasn't gained luster yet.

Belfry's defense simply isn't ready for primetime yet and Central's defensive penetration and speed should give Belfry fits. Central 28-7.