[Micro-Brew]

Everybody in the stadium knew Anthony was getting the ball. With a wet football, wet field, and bad weather, why would Pikeville do anything else until you stop the run? I don’t care if the young man got his yardage on big plays or 3-4 yards at a time. He scored twice and threw for another. Raceland ran for 76 yards on 38 carries. Pikeville has athletes outside but they also block well downfield. Watch their line and receivers downfield compared to other teams in 1A. Big difference. Their offense was not the best in 1A but Pikeville had the best defense in 1A this year. The linebacker group is good for any class in Kentucky and definitely the best in 1A. If you want to beat them, you have to be able to run (mobile QB is helpful), stop the run, and throw it. You have to be able to get chunk plays so you need playmakers/speed. I don’t think Raceland had enough speed. Campbellsville had multiple kids with speed. Middlesboro had a couple guys with speed. Sayre had some guys with speed.  Raceland was a team of thumpers. Tough kids who played hard and were able to bully Sayre and KCD but that isn’t going to work against Pikeville. You probably aren’t going to out-physical them. They played Johnson Central and Belfry and if those teams don’t push them around with their style, I don’t see a 1A team pushing them around. You have to finesse them. I think a team like Sayre with their QB and offensive skill players, if they beef up their line and get some run stoppers on defense can cause them problems. The bad news for the competition is I think Pikeville will be better next year than this year and are set up nicely for the next 3 seasons.

Spot on