[EKUAlum05]

The keys tonight IMHO:

PBURG:
- TACKLING! Blackcats tackling was attrocious at times last year..Pikeville has very good talent at the skill positions and if you miss a tackle they will exploit it.

- Find Balance. Pikeville is not a dominant defensive team, but they are solid. In recent years it seems when Pburg becomes one dimensional they try to force the issue on whatever is not working. Take what the Panthers give you then once they are forced to make an adjustment go to the well for what previously was not working.




PIKEVILLE:
- Work inside out. If Pikeville can establish Chase Hall early between the tackles it will lead to big gainers outside the tackles later. Pburg is a team with decent quickness, but when they are hurt in the middle they seem to lose a step getting outside.

- Win the Special Teams Battle. I just don't see Pburg having the weapons to simply be significantly better than Pikeville on either side of the ball.. if Pikeville consistently wins the Special Teams game with nice returns, field position, and not leaving point off the board it will be tough for Pburg to find enough big plays to win.