[tazcat]

Should be the best first round game in the mountains.  With one of the best and most respected coaches in the history of high school football (Larry French) I give a slight edge to Middlesboro.  Grigsby is for sure a special player.  How come Grigsby has only played in eight games?  Good luck to both teams!

Grigsby has only played in 8 games because he suffered a Concussion and didn't play against Breathitt Co this year.  And also Knott County didnt come to the Boro to play even though they are in Boro district.  So Middlesboro only had 9 games.

As for how this game will go....who knows.  I know Prestonsburg always has a good team but I also know they have not been what they once were and neither has Middlesboro except for last year.  Grigsby is the main threat for the Jackets.  Shut him down and its curtains, but thats easier said than done he is really good.  Ive been to Prestonsburg and its a long drive from Middlesboro to Prestonsburg and that may help the Jackets.  I dont really think either teams districts are all that different or all that strong.  Breathitt on our side and Shelby Valley on theirs.  Overall I think these 2 teams have played the same caliber opponents for the most part.  I. That said I will take Middlesboro by 3 or 4 just because of home field.  I think it has the potential to be one of the best 1st round games in the state.  We will see.

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15-20 years ago, this would be one of the most exciting sounding games in the state. Both have respectable teams and it should be a good game but I’d love to see them get back to the blackcats and yellow jackets of old. Football is better when these tradition schools are rolling.

I agree and I guess by your name you are a Corbin fan.  I'm old enough to remember when Middlesboro and Corbin were in the same district in 2A and had some absolute wars.  Middlesboro and Corbin was a huge rivalry.  But unfortunately with Mines closing here in the Boro and loss of jobs and lots of other things I just won't mention here I dont really think Middlesboro is gonna be at that elite level all that often, especially where Corbin is today.  Sure Middlesboro made the State Semis last yr but all the covid returning 5th yr players that stayed was the reason for that IMO.  French changed the culture some but Switching to the current district and not playing Bell County and other big schools we were playing also helped with that.  The days of Middlesboro having the caliber teams from the 80s and 90s are long gone im afraid.  Its just different here in the crater these days.  Sad but true.  For Prestonsburg I have no idea but thats the Middlesboro state of things.  I would like to see it get back to what it was too but its not going too.  Sure will have some good teams but it won't be like it used to be.