[The Blue Blur]

I agree Pugh is talented and an excellent all around athlete. However, the outlook for PHS in '06 is sketchy at best. They lost so many people and if I'm not mistaken, their entire line with the exception of 2. That's a tough hit to take. Of course they'll still beat up on AC, BLHS, and the usuals, but I don't see them making any BIG noise in the playoffs (not like Runyon and the '05 crew). However, that won't be for Pugh's lack of effort - he's a great player. There are just too many to losses they will have to try and fill. Hopefully though they have a staff who can work some magic/voodoo/perform a miracle or whatever it takes! :devilflam

I think you may be suprised by this Tiger team. They may lack experience upfront, but these youngsters will possess more passion than they've had for awhile now. Not to take away from the line the Tigers had last year, but it was obvious during the Apple Bowl they were just good enough to get infront of someone and not actually block anybody. The line for the last three years now, were wise and gained experience but was not aggressive in the least bit. With the relentlessness of J.J. Hensley, Casey Brown, and a few others up front I look for them to suprise some people. I look for the Tigers line to put you in mind of the strong line the Tigers had earlier this decade with the likes of Matt Runyon and company. With experience in Sublett, Pugh and Cantrell in the backfield and the secondary. I look for the Tigers to regroup early on in the season. Just like in baseball, the Tigers weren't expected to do much due to the amount of seniors they lost the previous season. I look for this gridiron team to be much of the same and sneak up on some people.

I don't think Pugh is going unnoticed, I think he's made numerous highlights on WYMT since his freshman year. He's definitely an athlete and a playmaker. I'm sure he has been contacted by many schools and I've heard WKU is hot on his trail. I guess when it comes down to his decision it will be up to him where he goes on if he can play offense or defense. With Pugh's passing ability as well as his ability to run, do you think the Tigers would be best suited to run out of a spread offense or would it be best suited to run the I with Pugh under? I think if Bundy and J.D. Vanhoose come out as go to receivers, playing the spread offense would be nice. I remember a few years back, when the Tigers lost Tate Harmon for the season FB Kyle Murphy stepped up and was successful out of the spread formation with Chas Harmon as the QB. With no clear cut favorite at tailback, maybe this could work to Paintsville's advantage. I was told by a reliable source that Sublett ran a 4.8 and Pugh ran a 4.53 at EKU's senior day. I think out of a spread offense they both could have good nights, running with open lanes. It seemed last year's FB Wes Ward got most of his big gains on draws when the Tigers ran the spread offense.