[ArmChairHC]

I love that time of year when JP reminds us how good Pikeville is as if anyone of us who have gotten their asses handed to them couldn’t remember it lol.

[runthepill]

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say 6 of the top 10 teams in Class A hail from E. Ky

[jetpilot]

I love that time of year when JP reminds us how good Pikeville is as if anyone of us who have gotten their asses handed to them couldn’t remember it lol.

I was talking to a Beechwood fan and they can never be reminded enough getting their asses handed to them lol
plus it's the dead period...

[jetpilot]

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say 6 of the top 10 teams in Class A hail from E. Ky

Agreed.

Pikeville, Raceland, Hazard, Paintsville, Middlesboro, Williamsburg, and Harlan could all be Top 10.

[ArmChairHC]

Love it JP. And I agree with the statement of East being a lot stronger this year. Truth be told it will likely be that way for some time in this alignment. The west doesn’t really have a stand out team. The old mainstay teams are all in 2 and 3A now. So even if you take Pikeville out of the equation, Raceland, Hazard, or Paintsville would have all won titles. New Cath possibly as well.

[Orange Blaze]

Love it JP. And I agree with the statement of East being a lot stronger this year. Truth be told it will likely be that way for some time in this alignment. The west doesn’t really have a stand out team. The old mainstay teams are all in 2 and 3A now. So even if you take Pikeville out of the equation, Raceland, Hazard, or Paintsville would have all won titles. New Cath possibly as well.

The teams in the West are embarrassingly bad in comparison to the East.  The Holy Cross team Raceland played last year had no business making it past the 1st round much less going to the State Semifinals.  Outside of Pikeville dropping the hammer on us in the finals the only competition we saw in the playoffs came from Hazard who nearly spoiled the playoff party for the Rams.

[16thregioner]

1-A is very easy to preview. Pikeville has about a 60% probability of winning this season. Raceland has about a 40% shot. Everyone else has no shot.

The one thing that gives Raceland hope this year against Pikeville is the graduation of Birchfield and Hensley. They were a disproportionate percentage of Pikeville's offensive production. Perhaps Pikeville has others ready to step into those roles, but that's 46 touchdowns that someone else is going to have to score. That's a lot to ask of guys who haven't been that person before.

Raceland, on the other hand, really lost no one of note other than a few line players. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage for the Rams, because there really isn't anyone of note returning. If this were Madden, every Raceland player would get a 70s-80s ranking with no one in the 90s and definitely no 99s. You can't use the word "great" to describe any single Raceland player...just a lot of "good" ones. Can you win a title with a team like that? We will see.

[Orange Blaze]

1-A is very easy to preview.  Pikeville has about a 60% probability of winning this season.  Raceland has about a 40% shot.  Everyone else has no shot.

The one thing that gives Raceland hope this year against Pikeville is the graduation of Birchfield and Hensley.  They were a disproportionate percentage of Pikeville's offensive production.  Perhaps Pikeville has others ready to step into those roles, but that's 46 touchdowns that someone else is going to have to score.  That's a lot to ask of guys who haven't been that person before.

Raceland, on the other hand, really lost no one of note other than a few line players.  This is both an advantage and a disadvantage for the Rams, because there really isn't anyone of note returning.  If this were Madden, every Raceland player would get a 70s-80s ranking with no one in the 90s and definitely no 99s.  You can't use the word "great" to describe any single Raceland player...just a lot of "good" ones.  Can you win a title with a team like that?  We will see.

For the most part I agree. I would put Lundy as a 90’s player for your Madden reference but for the most part we have a lot of good athletes but no one else really stands out.  As has been stated before, the lack of a breakout player has always been the Achilles of Raceland.

As for Pikeville, one of the overlooked things that makes them great is their ability to adapt their system to their players.  I have no doubts that they will figure out a way to replace the production lost by Birchfield and Hensley as they have done in the past when great players have graduated.  The only thing that I see slowing Pikeville down is if McNamee retires and it’s hard to imagine him walking away anytime within the next 5 years.

[jetpilot]

Doesn't Raceland lose Lykins? What about Webb?
Pikeville backfield will be great, receivers very good, line will be fine. Worried about replacing 3 great LBs.

[Orange Blaze]

Doesn't Raceland lose Lykins? What about Webb?
Pikeville backfield will be great, receivers very good, line will be fine. Worried about replacing 3 great LBs.

Lykins graduated but Webb returns.  Our big losses will be on the line.  I’m interested to see how this season goes.  This is probably the toughest schedule a Raceland team has ever had and realistically I can see us losing 3-4 games.  

A huge loss that hasn’t really been talked about was the retirement of our defensive coordinator Mark Lewis.  Coach Lewis did a really good job not only as a defensive coach but as a teacher and mentor of young men.  Losing him might not be felt too much this season but in the future years it will be hard to replace a man of that caliber.

[Micro-Brew]

You should only worry about replacing two LB’s. 

[Slic Ric]

Doesn't Raceland lose Lykins? What about Webb?
Pikeville backfield will be great, receivers very good, line will be fine. Worried about replacing 3 great LBs.

Yes Jet, Lykins graduated. Webb was a Junior so he will be back. Skill players Conner Hughes, Landyn Newman & Jules Farrow graduated as well. RAMS will lose some LB's & linemen but have a good core group returning.

[jetpilot]

You should only worry about replacing two LB’s. 

LOL I hear you loud and clear!

[Big Five-0-]

You should only worry about replacing two LB’s. 

I THINK I hear you loud and clear MB. (1) new asset = a linebacker, and he's a good one too.

[plantmanky]

Doesn't Raceland lose Lykins? What about Webb?
Pikeville backfield will be great, receivers very good, line will be fine. Worried about replacing 3 great LBs.

With what Pikeville has incoming at LB this year....... they will be fine at LB.

[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

I love that time of year when JP reminds us how good Pikeville is as if anyone of us who have gotten their asses handed to them couldn’t remember it lol.

I was talking to a Beechwood fan and they can never be reminded enough getting their asses handed to them lol
plus it's the dead period...

Please remind me of the 5 times you’ve beaten Beechwood in the last 50 years!!??

I’d remind you of all the ass beatings Beechwood has put on Pikeville, but their isn’t enough hours in the day!!
You’ve beaten us 5 out of 16 meetings since 1972, and once since 1989, but keep hanging your hat on 2015!!

[jetpilot]

I love that time of year when JP reminds us how good Pikeville is as if anyone of us who have gotten their asses handed to them couldn’t remember it lol.

I was talking to a Beechwood fan and they can never be reminded enough getting their asses handed to them lol
plus it's the dead period...

Please remind me of the 5 times you’ve beaten Beechwood in the last 50 years!!??

I’d remind you of all the ass beatings Beechwood has put on Pikeville, but their isn’t enough hours in the day!!
You’ve beaten us 5 out of 16 meetings since 1972, and once since 1989, but  keep hanging your hat on 2015!!

*there aren't*
If you went to Pikeville HS you would know better....

[Patriot1]

I love that time of year when JP reminds us how good Pikeville is as if anyone of us who have gotten their asses handed to them couldn’t remember it lol.

I was talking to a Beechwood fan and they can never be reminded enough getting their asses handed to them lol
plus it's the dead period...

Please remind me of the 5 times you’ve beaten Beechwood in the last 50 years!!??

I’d remind you of all the ass beatings Beechwood has put on Pikeville, but their isn’t enough hours in the day!!
You’ve beaten us 5 out of 16 meetings since 1972, and once since 1989, but  keep hanging your hat on 2015!!

Hillbilly I went to the EKU spring game this year and the first touchdown of the game was Hergott if that’s how you spell his name) to Hensley just a little tid bit of information

[Big Five-0-]

I love that time of year when JP reminds us how good Pikeville is as if anyone of us who have gotten their asses handed to them couldn’t remember it lol.

I was talking to a Beechwood fan and they can never be reminded enough getting their asses handed to them lol
plus it's the dead period...

Please remind me of the 5 times you’ve beaten Beechwood in the last 50 years!!??

I’d remind you of all the ass beatings Beechwood has put on Pikeville, but their isn’t enough hours in the day!!
You’ve beaten us 5 out of 16 meetings since 1972, and once since 1989, but  keep hanging your hat on 2015!!

Hillbilly I went to the EKU spring game this year and the first touchdown of the game was Hergott if that’s how you spell his name) to Hensley just a little tid bit of information

Would like to have seen that  Hergott to Hensley connection. Two great athletes.

[ArmChairHC]

Those are two kids that I was really impressed with seeing in person at the Hs level. I was very surprised to see them not make a big time school roster. Just goes to show how talented D1 atheletes really are. Not that EKU isn’t a big deal, because it is. But they were major D1 talent in my eyes.

[jetpilot]

Very impressed with and a fan of Paris coach. Look for Paris to get better and start climbing the mountain.

[Orange Blaze]

Very impressed with and a fan of Paris coach. Look for Paris to get better and start climbing the mountain.

Being put in the same district with Raceland should help them to elevate their game.  Paris always has good athletes but their limiting factor has been a lack of size, strength, and depth.  If they can bring more kids out and get them stronger they have the talent to be legit top team in Class A.

[Cowboy42]

I just don’t see anyone improving enough over one off-season, minus some UNREAL transfers, to beat Pikeville. They have just proven themselves year in and out to be at least 4 scores better than the next best team. When it comes to making it to the title game, the only team last year that played with Raceland in the playoffs, was Hazard. I kind of feel like it’s going to look a lot like that this year as well. It’s Pikevilles to lose, Racelands to take. Hazards to spoil. Imo.

keep sleeping on middlesboro thats what we want not saying we are on pikeville level but we are on 2 on down level pikeville can win 1-3 a state championships this year imo

I hope Middlesboro is as good as you say. Class A needs more good teams.

Don’t count Sayre out as Chad Pennington has his squad looking good. EKU 7 on 7 Sayre played very well against Lexington Catholic. Sayre can beat anyone in 1A but Pikeville.

[ArmChairHC]

If you are comparing scores of common opponents, last year it was Pikeville, then Raceland, Hazard, Sayre, and NewCath could have been shaken up in a hat for who the #2-#5 team was. So my question to the Pikeville faithful is this. Of the single A teams that Pikeville faced last year, who were you most impressed by and who do you all think stands the best chance to be more competitive with Pikeville this year?

[Micro-Brew]

Hazard typically plays Pikeville tough but last year that wasn’t the case. Not sure how much they lost it I’d be surprised if they take a big enough step forward to be that team.
Raceland and New Cath, I honestly felt, were mirror images. Both with a big strong qb, both with solid skill. I think Both of those teams will def be in the mix.
Also I’ve been very impressed with what Coach Pennington has done at Sayre in such a short time. They get better and better every year and they had lots of young kids playing last year.
I still think Pikeville is the cream of the crop.
But of the ones you mentioned, I still think it’s Raceland that could dethrone the Panthers. Pikeville may take a small step back upfront this year, but as a whole their skill is scary good.

[KColley]

Pikeville and Raceland are certainly a cut above the rest, but I agree; Sayre and Paris will surprise people this year. Going to throw Campbellsville in there too -- their QB, as a freshman, threw for over 1,200 yards and they return their top six rushers as well as every receiver that caught a pass last season. Campbellsville also has 51 players on its roster according to the KHSAA website which is very healthy.

New Cath and KCD also return significant contributors and should have good seasons again. KCD has 50 players listed on its roster.

[HCS]

I just don’t see anyone improving enough over one off-season, minus some UNREAL transfers, to beat Pikeville. They have just proven themselves year in and out to be at least 4 scores better than the next best team. When it comes to making it to the title game, the only team last year that played with Raceland in the playoffs, was Hazard. I kind of feel like it’s going to look a lot like that this year as well. It’s Pikevilles to lose, Racelands to take. Hazards to spoil. Imo.

keep sleeping on middlesboro thats what we want not saying we are on pikeville level but we are on 2 on down level pikeville can win 1-3 a state championships this year imo

I hope Middlesboro is as good as you say. Class A needs more good teams.

Don’t count Sayre out as Chad Pennington has his squad looking good. EKU 7 on 7 Sayre played very well against Lexington Catholic. Sayre can beat anyone in 1A but Pikeville.

Harlan ran all over Sayre last year in the first round of the playoffs. They will have to be a lot more physical.

[bac2369]

I just don’t see anyone improving enough over one off-season, minus some UNREAL transfers, to beat Pikeville. They have just proven themselves year in and out to be at least 4 scores better than the next best team. When it comes to making it to the title game, the only team last year that played with Raceland in the playoffs, was Hazard. I kind of feel like it’s going to look a lot like that this year as well. It’s Pikevilles to lose, Racelands to take. Hazards to spoil. Imo.

keep sleeping on middlesboro thats what we want not saying we are on pikeville level but we are on 2 on down level pikeville can win 1-3 a state championships this year imo

I hope Middlesboro is as good as you say. Class A needs more good teams.

Don’t count Sayre out as Chad Pennington has his squad looking good. EKU 7 on 7 Sayre played very well against Lexington Catholic. Sayre can beat anyone in 1A but Pikeville.

Harlan ran all over Sayre last year in the first round of the playoffs. They will have to be a lot more physical.

That they did. But that Harlan doesn’t return and that’s last year.. Don’t sleep on Sayre

[RAMDAD50]

keep sleeping on middlesboro thats what we want not saying we are on pikeville level but we are on 2 on down level pikeville can win 1-3 a state championships this year imo

I hope Middlesboro is as good as you say. Class A needs more good teams.

Don’t count Sayre out as Chad Pennington has his squad looking good. EKU 7 on 7 Sayre played very well against Lexington Catholic. Sayre can beat anyone in 1A but Pikeville.

Harlan ran all over Sayre last year in the first round of the playoffs. They will have to be a lot more physical.

That they did. But that Harlan doesn’t return and that’s last year.. Don’t sleep on Sayre

???????

---

I hope Middlesboro is as good as you say. Class A needs more good teams.

Don’t count Sayre out as Chad Pennington has his squad looking good. EKU 7 on 7 Sayre played very well against Lexington Catholic. Sayre can beat anyone in 1A but Pikeville.

Harlan ran all over Sayre last year in the first round of the playoffs. They will have to be a lot more physical.

That they did. But that Harlan doesn’t return and that’s last year.. Don’t sleep on Sayre

[img]data:image/png;base64,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[/img]

---

Ok I’m having issues attaching a sticker hahah it’s been to long

[Humpty Dumpty]

As mentioned already Hazard usually plays Pikeville tough and it wouldn't shock me if they play them tough for 2 or 3 quarters if not the whole game in 2023..especially in the regular season with Pikeville breaking in a lot of new young linemen. Also wouldn't shock me if Pikeville put a running clock on the Dawgs like last season.

Raceland will play Pikeville tough and while i don't expect it at the same time wouldn't shock me to see the Rams pull a upset against them in the regular season The Panthers young linemen will be ready come playoff time though and a Rams win then regardless where the game is played would surprise me.

Pennington has done a fantastic job building a program at Sayre, they are definitely gonna continue to climb the 1A ladder.