[RoShamBo]

Pikeville will win Class A they will be as loaded as they have ever been. Top 3 team in Class A through 4A

As much as I enjoy ol’ Jets unbridled enthusiasm, Pikeville will have some major question marks this season. First and foremost replacing what is possibly the best QB in the programs history. Apparently Raceland and Hazard have loaded up and have the Panthers square in their sights. I do think defensively the Panthers could be even better this year, which is a good starting point for early in the season while trying to get a new QB ready for November. But in saying that, I think there is a QB on the roster that is more than capable of filling the role nicely. Getting closer everyday to finding out.

As good as McNamee was I thought Pikeville’s biggest strength was their power running game.  I think their ability to run over teams played a huge role in their passing game being so successful. Replacing a QB is never an easy thing to do but bringing back a 2000+ yard running back in Birchfield can for sure take off some of the pressure that come with developing a new quarterback.  As far as Raceland goes, we will be improved but we are still at least a 2 touchdown underdog.

I only saw Pikeville against LCA and Russellville, but the passing game was basically a non-factor for Pikeville in those games. What they got came on the back of Birchfield in both of those games. I don't know how much of their success was predicated on the passing game the rest of the season but from what I saw, when they went up against their stiffest competition it was the running game that was getting it done for them. I'm not trying to speak out of turn but based on the rest of their results last season, it would seem that the passing game was solid against lesser competition while the running game was consistently stout.