[jetpilot]

Johnson Central should go undefeated with that schedule and they better go undefeated if they want to avoid an early road trip in the playoffs. Pikeville should be overmatched against JC because of the Golden Eagles' experienced line and loaded backfield. Hats off to the Panthers for scheduling a much more experienced team for a season opener. The Corbin game should be the make or break game on Johnson Central's schedule because it could make the difference between playing a very tough Covington Catholic team at home or on the road in the playoffs.

Ashland returns a lot of very good athletes and the game has the potential to be a classic in the series. Johnson Central has dominated the series recently, but several games were decided late - but I like JC in a home game with a lot riding on it.

neutral field
[2022] Pikeville (KY) 31 (73%), [2022] Johnson Central (Paintsville, KY) 22 (27%)

If you think that a CalPreps projected score from last season is any indicator of how Johnson Central and Pikeville will stack up against each other in the opening game this season, then I strongly suggest that you leave your big bag of money at home game night.

It will be a long season if Johnson Central loses to Pikeville in its first game of the season because they would have very little chance of beating both Covington Catholic and Corbin on the road in the playoffs. A JC loss would not be the end of the world, but as strong as 4A will be this season and as much as Pikeville loses from last season, a loss to Pikeville would put JC in a deep hole to begin the season.

I expect a great game. I wouldn't trade Pikeville backfield for JC backfield plus a sack of money. Don't know about line yet. Do worry about replacing 3 very good linebackers. Pikeville will be loaded again and I expect them to play with JC all night long.