[RoShamBo]

Losing new cath too

True, forgot about them with how they have been "down" by NCC standards over the last couple years. Yeah 2A is definitely getting weaker.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

If Pikeville made stops then it wouldn’t of been close. It works both ways.

Don’t take away Pikevilles credit for picking beechwood apart. Pikeville also played without its best offensive threat after what could of been a goal line stand.

IMO.....neither team played their best game. Both were sloppy....and way too many penalties.

[bac2369]

IMO.....neither team played their best game. Both were sloppy....and way too many penalties.

I agree both never do that. But credit that to both being very good teams and getting each other off there game.

[RAMDAD50]

IMO.....neither team played their best game. Both were sloppy....and way too many penalties.

Penalties are part of the game.When a team can over come them and still be in a position to win that makes them a great team.Both teams overcame their own mistakes!

21-20 ....last min drive for the win! It was a great game and idk what else one could ask for! Great first game and as a fan I hope all the games come down to the finale seconds!

[rookie57]

always a lot of if's in a close game. IF pikevile's QB had just a second more time on that last play he probably see's a wide open reciever about the ten yard line, he completes that pass and its a victory for pikeville. then again, we can play IF'S ALL DAY LONG.

[Granny Bear]

Beechwood sophomore QB Hergott will be a super star. He left Highlands.

I was VERY impressed with this young man. I believe he was the best RB on the field tonight. And he was a very SMART runner. Look forward to seeing him again.

[Orange Blaze]

With what Pikeville has coming back and still coming up through the feeder system, Raceland on an upswing, Paintsville continues to be on the cusp of the semis every year, and Hazard being Hazard(if they can stay healthy, idk if I've ever seen a team hit harder by injuries year in and year out), I think the title balance will shift to the East's favor in the new alignment. New Cath ahould still be a perennial contender, but they havent been the same NCC in recent years. Congrats to both squads. Damn what a ball game.

I wouldn’t quite count out Newcath. Moving down to 1A might have been what was needed for them to get back to being the Newcath of old. That being said, I do think the east will have an advantage for several years with Pikeville leading the charge. IMO the other teams in the east have a lot of work to do because I think Pikeville appears to be building a machine that will be very difficult to take down.

[mightydog]

Proud of the Panthers, they battled to the end. When you lose to a great program like Beechwood all you can do is tip your hat.

Even though without Beechwood in Class A Pikeville's road to a title will become easier but I hate too see the Tigers leave Class A, then again I personally wish the Panthers would get their enrollment up enough to be AA.

Great season for both teams and congrats Beechwood on another state championship.

Can't teams play up a class if they want?

[#55PirateFan]

Valiant effort Panthers. The mountains are very proud of you! Way to represent.

[Do-double-gg]

The results of this game shows a few things. A- A lot of 1A posters on BGR are clueless at best saying Beechwood would dominate this game B- Pikeville has built one heck of a program and might not be the second best program in Pike County much longer and C- This shows how strong the 1A East is because Raceland, Hazard and Paintsville all could compete with Beechwood. I have said it for a few seasons now that 1A is pound for pound from top to bottom the strongest class in the state. Congrats to Pikeville on a great season. This is a tough close loss but you return a lot next season and I think the Pikeville program has officially become a state power again and will be playing in this game a lot in the years to come.

[PHSFAN]

Can't teams play up a class if they want?

I know schools used to be able to but not sure if they still can or not...regardless my opinion on the issue carries 0 weight on the matter lol.

[ekywildcat]

WYMT said they would be showing a replay of the game. Didn't catch exactly when though. Might be on their Facebook.

[PHSFAN]

Replay of the game should be on WPRG YouTube channel by tomorrow afternoon.

[RoShamBo]

Can't teams play up a class if they want?

They can but they have to be able to explain why it would be better for the school/program for them to play up, ie. travel costs. Seeing as how Pikeville is currently in a 3 team district, and moving up to 2A would not result in much of a change in travel distances I doubt it would get approved.

[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

What a great game between two great programs. Hats off to Pikeville, they played a helluva game. Both teams left it all out on the field, and Beechwood just made one more play than Pikeville did.
As a lifelong Tiger, I have nothing but respect for Pikeville's program, and they have a great coach in Coach McNamee. I sat in the stands and watched Pikeville run through Beechwood in the late 80's, was on the field as Beechwood turned the tables on them in the 90's, and have seen every game between them since.
A big part of me is sad to see us move up to 2A, but it's time to move on.
Pikeville is going to be a tough out for anyone in 1A for the foreseeable future.
Best of luck to the Panthers, I think you guys are now the front runners in 1A, with Raceland, Hazard and few others factoring in the mix.

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

What a great game between two great programs. Hats off to Pikeville, they played a helluva game. Both teams left it all out on the field, and Beechwood just made one more play than Pikeville did.
As a lifelong Tiger, I have nothing but respect for Pikeville's program, and they have a great coach in Coach McNamee. I sat in the stands and watched Pikeville run through Beechwood in the late 80's, was on the field as Beechwood turned the tables on them in the 90's, and have seen every game between them since.
A big part of me is sad to see us move up to 2A, but it's time to move on.
Pikeville is going to be a tough out for anyone in 1A for the foreseeable future.
Best of luck to the Panthers, I think you guys are now the front runners in 1A, with Raceland, Hazard and few others factoring in the mix.

There would be no Pikeville without Beechwood. There would be no Beechwood without Pikeville. Congrats on the win and best of luck in 2A.

[Patriot1]

Congratulations to Beechwood and to my Pikeville Panthers I for one am proud of you guys. You played your hearts out tonight and left it on the field. As a fan couldn’t ask for no better group of young men and as always GO PANTHERS!!!

[bo67]

Hergott wanted a state championship during his high school career. Cov Cath wasn’t an option. Their QB is a sophomore. So Beechwood a great fit for him. And as a sophomore leads his team to a state title

[#55PirateFan]

Congratulations to Beechwood and to my Pikeville Panthers I for one am proud of you guys. You played your hearts out tonight and left it on the field. As a fan couldn’t ask for no better group of young men and as always GO PANTHERS!!!

Tough lose Pal, but your Panthers gave them all they wanted and more. Don't you worry none, Pikeville is far from being done. Also, want to congratulate Beechwood on a great game as well. This game turned into an instant classic!

[Real Badman]

There was an interception that was overruled in beechwood a favor, that hurt. I think overall it was a decent game.

[Patriot1]

There was an interception that was overruled in beechwood a favor, that hurt. I think overall it was a decent game.

Haven’t got to watch that play again but I do not see how that ref could over ruling of the ref that was on the side of the play and him being behind it. I know it don’t make any difference but it really looked bad for him to make the call when I my opinion he couldn’t see it. But like I said I haven’t seen it again but I will.

[HAIL PIKEVILLE!]

Where’s all the folks that thought this would be a blowout?

[PHSForever]

Great game. But if Beechwood could play pass defense. Wouldn’t have been that close

I’ve not posted til now because it was an emotional day, watching my sons year come to a close on the field. To Beechwood, kudos on a fine season. Great program and good luck in 2A.

To YOU, I say you have not a clue what you’re talking about. Had nothing to do with them “not playing pass D”, it had EVERYTHING to do with the Pikeville players making plays. And I guarantee if Hensley was still out there in the 4th, it would have been a different result, because they would not have been able to double up on Billiter and Pugh, AND Hensley and still keep an eye on Watkins. Don’t trash Pikevilles players by suggesting they would have had no chance if Beechwood had defended the pass because they did, our boys just made the plays. For what it is worth, this Beechwood players should feel insulted by you even suggesting that too, because it implies they sucked and they did not. Two great programs with great players battled it out tonight, and in your tiny brain, the only rationale for this ending being what it was, was that pathetic attempt at an excuse. Whatever school you went to should demand you return the diploma for tarnishing their attempts at educating you by displaying such idiocy.

Peace and out for the evening, folks. It’s been a great season, even without the result I wanted for our boys.

[PHSForever]

Where’s all the folks that thought this would be a blowout?

Likely fanning themselves over looking like idiots andbtrying to figure out how to get back on here with excuses that are not as lame as the dude I just flamed.

[bo67]

Hey. It’s good coaching. Going after a teams weakness. And you’re the only person I wasn’t talking to. How many times have you seen Beechwood play. Less than me for sure

[PHSForever]

Whatever pal. Even the announcer said Pikeville can score at will due to Beechwood DBs. Hey. It’s good coaching. Going after a teams weakness.

You’re so full of it you must float every time someone flushed a toilet nearby. You didn’t respond to my points because you know I’m right. While it’s great coaching to attack what is maybe the weaker part of a defense, players still have to make plays. And lame a@@es like you disrespect their effort and hard work. Don’t be hating on other teams and players because your beloved Bluebirds haven’t been dominant like in the past. I think your cheeks are just chapped Beechwood was more attractive to Hergott.

[Gator95]

I watched this game & being a fan of neither team, I can honestly say that Pikeville way tremendously outcoached. Absolutely heartbroken for the panthers. The play calling was atrocious.

I'm honestly not sure how Beechwood made it to the state final with that pass defense. Pikeville could have beat this team 2-3 TD's with a decent offensive game plan. They threw the ball at will on that beechwood team & for some reason, just wouldn't keep going back to it. Play calling & coaching costed the panthers a state championship.

The Beechwood QB is a heck of a player & deserves all the credit in the world. That team is below mediocre without him. Once again, I feel for the Pikeville players. Was %100 the better team. Just wouldn't let his QB take over the game.

Congrats to Beechwood. Way to hold on.

[PHSForever]

Ahh lord. I can’t deal with the stupidity tonight.

[Gator95]

The stupidity came from Pikevilles play calling. Being a panther fan, I think you'd admit that.

I grew up hating Pikeville, but your team was clearly 2-3 TD's better. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

[PHSForever]

The stupidity came from Pikevilles play calling. Being a panther fan, I think you'd admit that.

I grew up hating Pikeville, but your team was clearly 2-3 TD's better. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

While there were some plays I questioned, your statement was ridiculous. Great coaching the entire season and tonight. A fan in the stands doesn’t have the perspective of a coach in the box sometimes, so I tend to not question it as much. Do I believe we were better? Absolutely. All day every day and twice on Sunday. But today wasn’t in the cards and for a fan of a program that hasn’t been relevant since the Tim Couch era to say he feels sorry for Pikeville players being robbed due to bad coaching, obviously don’t know what good coaching looks like. I’m the end, Beechwood won, and I tip my hat to those boys and staff. It was like 80-20 against us in the fan polls before the game on here that Beechwood would basically roll us. That was proven wrong. Pikeville will be back