[Strikeout King]

Could you post Class 1-A Dist 8? Thanks.

1. Pikeville (7-6): Longtime frontrunner Pikeville remains the team to beat in Class A, District 8.

2. South Floyd (5-6): The rejuvenated Raiders are coming off a runner-up finish.

3. Allen Central (2-9): The Rebels are still rebuilding after finishing runner-up in the district in 2011.

4. Phelps (0-10): The Hornets will be looking to end a 15-game losing streak when the 2013 season kicks off.



PRESEASON FAVORITE - PIKEVILLE

Pikeville is the perennial favorite in Class A, District 8. This season, Pikeville is poised to welcome back its leading offensive and defensive players.

Senior running back/defensive back Chase Hall is back to lead the Panthers. Hall rushed 177 times for 1,519 yards and 21 touchdowns last season.

Junior quarterback Austin Charles completed 133 passes for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Pikeville quarterback also rushed for 379 yards, scoring four touchdowns via the ground.

Juniors Ben Maynard (426 rushing yards) and Cody Estep (752 receiving yards) are also back for the Panthers.

Defensively, Pikeville returns its top two tacklers from last season, both of whom registered over 70 tackles. Senior Austin Black (DB) and sophomore Daric Pugh (DL) are back to pace the Pikeville defense.

The Panthers finished runner-up in the region last year.



STILL ON THE RISE - SOUTH FLOYD

After finishing runner-up in 2012, South Floyd must replace leading rusher and receiver Weston Little. One of the state's top rushers in 2012, Little picked up 2,315 yards via 260 carries. He scored 31 rushing touchdowns, averaging 210 yards on the ground per game. The productive Little also lead the Raiders in receiving. Senior running back/defensive back Blake Dye is back to help lead South Floyd. Dye rushed for 958 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Jimmy Helton (Linebacker/running back), who lead the South Floyd defense with a team-high 86 tackles and finished second in receiving, is also back for his senior season. Junior lineman Mack Little is back along both lines for the Raiders.



2013 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Chase Hall, Pikeville, Sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 200. During his junior season, Chase Hall, a two-way starter, rushed for a team-high 1,519 yards and 21 touchdowns and also recorded 50 tackles, 41 of which were solo stops. Hall made the tackles from his defensive back position. One of the top running backs in Class A, Hall helped Pikeville offensively throughout the 2012 season.



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ricky Adams, Phelps, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 250;
Austin Black, Pikeville, Sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 190;
Austin Charles, Pikeville, Jr., QB/DB, 6-0, 200;
Corey Davis, Allen Central, Jr., RB/LB, 5-10, 205;
Blake Dye, South Floyd, Sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 200;
Cody Estep, Pikeville, Jr., WR/DB, 5-10, 160;
Calvin Gearles, Phelps, Sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 285;
Austin Hall, Allen Central, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 175;
Jimmy Helton, South Floyd, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 205;
Cameron Hamilton, Allen Central, Sr., QB/S, 6-3, 185;
Mack Little, South Floyd, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 270;
Ben Maynard, Pikeville, Jr., RB/DB, 5-10, 160.



Class A, District 8 - Steve LeMaster (Floyd County Times)