[A Decent Lineman]

That is a great two posts Panther1, I kinda agree with you. It makes sense! Hazard will be better than previous years next year...and pikeville will be good too--but NOONE can forget about LCA and Raceland..

[finish it off_1]

The-ville

[CoachB]

:Clap: Panther!, as a coach, I must say your two comments are exactly true. If you overlook anyone, it can come back and bite you. Great Posts:rockon:

All this "make it to the carpet" crap is EXACTLY why Pikeville was watching someone else in the 3rd round last year.

In the past, it made sense for Pikeville to think a lot about making it to Louisville. But things were different then.

Pikeville is NO LONGER the "Pike County All-Star" team like in the 80s. The rules are now set up JUST so they cannot get the best players in the county like back then. So, they can't win deep in the playoffs anymore JUST because their talent (especially big-kids) is heads and shoulders above everyone on this end of the state.

Now, they have to over-achieve and realize they are NOT guaranteed the 3rd or 4th round. They have to have AVERAGE kids work hard to become ABOVE-AVERAGE.

And then, above all, in the games, they have to EXECUTE better than the other team, regardless of who they are. They have to do things EXACTLY the way they're designed, they have to line up correctly on defense, they have to TACKLE when they get there (not overrun trying to "make the big hit" like time after time last year).

And most of all, they have to quit thinking 14 weeks in advance.

I like what Train said earlier, forget about the "carpet," think ONLY about the NEXT game!

[Panther#42]

I'll say Pikeville, but as Panther1 said, worry about the game ya gotta play that week and not a game thats 2-3 months away, Pikeville is looking to Holy Cross and Holy Cross only

[jetpilot]

All this "make it to the carpet" crap is EXACTLY why Pikeville was watching someone else in the 3rd round last year.

In the past, it made sense for Pikeville to think a lot about making it to Louisville. But things were different then.

Pikeville is NO LONGER the "Pike County All-Star" team like in the 80s. The rules are now set up JUST so they cannot get the best players in the county like back then. So, they can't win deep in the playoffs anymore JUST because their talent (especially big-kids) is heads and shoulders above everyone on this end of the state.

Now, they have to over-achieve and realize they are NOT guaranteed the 3rd or 4th round. They have to have AVERAGE kids work hard to become ABOVE-AVERAGE.

And then, above all, in the games, they have to EXECUTE better than the other team, regardless of who they are. They have to do things EXACTLY the way they're designed, they have to line up correctly on defense, they have to TACKLE when they get there (not overrun trying to "make the big hit" like time after time last year).

And most of all, they have to quit thinking 14 weeks in advance.

I like what Train said earlier, forget about the "carpet," think ONLY about the NEXT game!

Good post. Add that awful offense Pikeville runs and they shouldn't see the carpet for many years to come. Pikeville still held Hazard to 15 in the loss...any offense against Hazard's defense that gave up megapoints to decent offenses and Pikeville wins easily. Again, Pikeville hasn't even won their district the last two years running the offense they run, don't see them on any carpet except their own.

[Battle Tested]

no carpet in sight for eather of em

[Panther1]

Good post. Add that awful offense Pikeville runs and they shouldn't see the carpet for many years to come. Pikeville still held Hazard to 15 in the loss...any offense against Hazard's defense that gave up megapoints to decent offenses and Pikeville wins easily. Again, Pikeville hasn't even won their district the last two years running the offense they run, don't see them on any carpet except their own.

Can't disagree too much, but I understand why they were doing a what they were doing.

What do YOU think would've been the right kind of offense given their qb situation?

[A Decent Lineman]

Given their quarterback situation(Honaker), as well as their running back situation(Honaker/Harmon), and as well as their lineman situation(really good)----I would've went with an option offense a lot like Paintsville...instead of the confusing offense they had this year. For example in film sessions I have seen Honaker take the ball between his legs and give it to harmon 3 plays in a row...trick plays can only work so long and that led to their defeat in some games this season. Hardnose run football wouldve benefitted them a LOT more!!

[jetpilot]

Can't disagree too much, but I understand why they were doing a what they were doing.

What do YOU think would've been the right kind of offense given their qb situation?

No idea. Pikeville fans are spoiled by the power running game (with some play-action mixed in) that Pikeville is known for. Pikeville's offense is a thing of beauty when it works (Belfry game) and hideous when it doesn't (several games). Looks like it is too high-precision for high school kids, ie easy to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and missed assignments and such...just venting, what do I know lol...:dangcompu

[jetpilot]

Given their quarterback situation(Honaker), as well as their running back situation(Honaker/Harmon), and as well as their lineman situation(really good)----I would've went with an option offense a lot like Paintsville...instead of the confusing offense they had this year. For example in film sessions I have seen Honaker take the ball between his legs and give it to harmon 3 plays in a row...trick plays can only work so long and that led to their defeat in some games this season. Hardnose run football wouldve benefitted them a LOT more!!

I agree. With a few play-action passes sprinkled in to keep 9 out of the box.

[Panther1]

I agree. With a few play-action passes sprinkled in to keep 9 out of the box.

NOW you've hit the nail on the head!

After losing Mayo, Pikeville seemed to have the personnel best-suited to run a power-offense (which is what this year seemed to be -- only reason it seemed "tricky" to some is the fact that it was done in shotgun with the qb never really having to touch it much. I saw pretty much all the games, and the qb NEVER that I saw "put the ball between his legs" all season. Not sure what that is?)

The idea of running the OPTION with the qb they had makes sense athletically...but it takes a lot more than being athletic to be good at option qb. Mainly takes good decision-making ability and ability not to make careless mistakes with pitches and such. That's a lot to ask of a kid new to a position on the varsity level.

Play-action passing (and passing overall) was the main problem last year. Seems like I remember 6 of them called in the Hazard game...they were 0-for-4.

Also, in a "power offense," getting 4 yards at a time and sustaining LONG drives is critical. In the last game, Pikeville was called for HOLDING on 1st downs of 3 different series (one of their coaches told me later that they'd only been called for holding SIX times ALL SEASON up to that point). Starting 1st and 20 is a killer in a power offense, especially if your passing game is suspect.

[jetpilot]

I had almost put that officiating crew out of my mind. Thanks for making my blood pressure go through the roof. I would like to see the Branham boy at QB next year. Pikeville could then hurt teams with the pass as well as have a great running game.
Regardless, I DO want to see Hazard again.

[gish_7]

Neither....sf will upset one of these teams next year..

:thatsfunn

[midback8]

I think Pikeville has some very good athletes coming back, but keep in mind they are losing 3 of their best linemen. The offense that Pikeville runs either goes great or horrible. Hazard on the other hand has a good short yardage run game and deep ball pass game, Im going to have to say Hazard in this one....

[A Decent Lineman]

I actually have seen Honaker do behind the back pitches and between the legs plays in film sessions against two or three teams...one that I remember was on a punt fake against Jenkins in regular season where they played Pikeville really good. But regardless of that fact, I agree with MIDBACK 8 and I think that losing their best lineman this season will hurt and pikeville will have to completely redo their offense--and focus on Play action passing and option plays. Which will hurt the panthers next season. BTW the officiating at the Pikeville hazard game in regular season was horrible...on both sides of the ball....and I think that the officiating at the 2nd round game was pretty fair toward both teams. I still am going with hazard on this game next year..

[TRAIN85]

I had almost put that officiating crew out of my mind. Thanks for making my blood pressure go through the roof. I would like to see the Branham boy at QB next year. Pikeville could then hurt teams with the pass as well as have a great running game.
Regardless, I DO want to see Hazard again.

Blake still has alot to improve on before he can step into big brothers shoes. He will be alright in time.

[TRAIN85]

I don't know and don't care who is going to state out of these 2 teams. I do know that Holy Cross is a fundamentally sound football team with a pretty good junior QB in Jimmy Nauert. They also have two other nice athletes in Chad Hazelwood and Jason Schum. That is what Pikeville needs to be focused on.

[Playboy5]

Pikeville!

[Panther1]

I don't know and don't care who is going to state out of these 2 teams. I do know that Holy Cross is a fundamentally sound football team with a pretty good junior QB in Jimmy Nauert. They also have two other nice athletes in Chad Hazelwood and Jason Schum. That is what Pikeville needs to be focused on.

What he said.

[jetpilot]

Of course you have to be focused on the next game. But what's wrong with setting goals, like making it to Louisville? That used to be Pikeville's goal every year. Focus on the next game, but see the big picture as well.

[Panther1]

But what's wrong with setting goals, like making it to Louisville?

I agree with you GENERALLY. Setting long-range goals is a good thing. But NOT when the subject is likely to look PAST the short-term requirements it takes to achieve the long-term goal.

The history and tradition seems to have maybe caused these kids (and that's another problem with long-range goals -- more dangerous with IMMATURITY) to think beating the schools around here is a foregone conclusion. Thus, they don't always seem to bring their "A-game" if they don't think it's needed.

Focus on the next game, but see the big picture as well.

Fine...as long as looking at "the big picture" and "big teams" doesn't cause looking at the other games as "less important" and teams with less "prestige" as incapable of beating you.

From my view, those things seem to be happening.

That used to be Pikeville's goal every year.

The situation in Pikeville is MUCH different than in past years and will be for years to come (difference in # of "out-of-district kids" mixed in with the "in-district kids" due to political decisions). If the make-up of Pikeville High School was like it was in the late 80s, looking forward to L'ville too much probably still wouldn't keep them from getting there.

In the past, any kind of internal problem, kids getting into the wrong thing on the outside, or a lack of focus wouldn't have mattered as much -- the higher level of talent would overcome those problems. Today, there's still talent, but the gap between Pikeville's talent and the other teams they have to beat on the way to "the carpet" isn't NEARLY as wide. Any "problem" (coaching, numbers, or -- as it seemed to be last season vs. Hazard -- execution and FOCUS), can be enough to neutralize any talent/size/strength "advantage" they might have over an opponent.

[TRAIN85]

Of course you have to be focused on the next game. But what's wrong with setting goals, like making it to Louisville? That used to be Pikeville's goal every year. Focus on the next game, but see the big picture as well.

There is nothing wrong with setting goals. The only goal that needs to be thought about is Holy Cross plain and simple. After that game it will be locked on their next opponent and so on. There is no big picture if you don't prepare for the task at hand.

[TRAIN85]

BTW nice post Panther1.

[jetpilot]

There is nothing wrong with setting goals. The only goal that needs to be thought about is Holy Cross plain and simple. After that game it will be locked on their next opponent and so on. There is no big picture if you don't prepare for the task at hand.

I guarantee you Beechwood's goal isn't to win their first game.

[jetpilot]

Nice post Panther1, just saw it.

[Panther Thunder]

I guarantee you Beechwood's goal isn't to win their first game.

Would Pikeville like to be in Louisville in Decmber? yes... who wouldnt... but that is not what they need to be thinking about...They need to be focused on one game at a time to get there and when they hear talk about louisville it will only fuel them to overlook their next opponet....

[Meaty]

Would Pikeville like to be in Louisville in Decmber? yes... who wouldnt... but that is not what they need to be thinking about...They need to be focused on one game at a time to get there and when they hear talk about louisville it will only fuel them to overlook their next opponet....

Well said...

[TRAIN85]

I guarantee you Beechwood's goal isn't to win their first game.

I'll guarntee that not only winning their first game but every game is on their mind. But they too will take it one game at a time. Do or did you even play football? If you did you would know that getting to Louisville has many steps. Those steps are called games. If you try to jump up 2-3 steps (games) at a time you might stumble and fall. If you take it slow and steady you are more likely to accomplish your goal which is to get to the top of the steps (Louisville). Pretty easy to understand if you ask me.

[jetpilot]

I'll guarntee that not only winning their first game but every game is on their mind. But they too will take it one game at a time. Do or did you even play football? If you did you would know that getting to Louisville has many steps. Those steps are called games. If you try to jump up 2-3 steps (games) at a time you might stumble and fall. If you take it slow and steady you are more likely to accomplish your goal which is to get to the top of the steps (Louisville). Pretty easy to understand if you ask me.

You said the only goal that needs to be thought about was LHC. Now you post something different. So it must not be so easy to understand. And yes I played football. Back when the goal was to win it all.

[TRAIN85]

You said the only goal that needs to be thought about was LHC. Now you post something different. So it must not be so easy to understand. And yes I played football. Back when the goal was to win it all.

If you understood anything you would know that the first part of my post was in response to what you said about Beechwood. There are goals inside of goals, which is what I was talking about. To get to the ultimate goal you have to start at the beginning and take it one step at a time. That is what the first goal is. After all the regular season is done each playoff game is to be taken one game at a time. After the playoff games have been won and you are in Louisville then you can talk about winning the state championship. There are still to many factors that will play a part in Pikeville and Hazards success in '07. Factors that we have no control over and can't predict until they happen. Such as injuries, kids quitting, kids transferring in/out, changes in staff, replacements for departed starters and how will they do and so on.