[jetpilot]

Dating back to 2018, Pikeville has lost 3 games to Class A opponents; Beechwood in the state title game in 2018, the Hazard upset in 2020, and the regular season matchup with Raceland this past season.  Since the 2018 season, their combined record is 67-12 with 4 state championships and 1 runner-up.  While their run has been incredible, there have been some very close matchups with Class A opponents during that time.

2019 - beat Paintsville by 1 in the regular season; beat Raceland by 6 in the regular season
2021 - beat Russellville by 3 in the state title game
2023 - beat Campbellsville by 7 in the state semis game

All of those games could have gone the other way for Pikeville.  I'm still shocked they won the 2021 title game, that Russellville team was very, very good.  Long story short, while Pikeville has been dominant during their recent run, I still expect a few Class A teams to challenge them next year and for years to come.  Will Pikeville be the favorite next year, absolutely.  But they've only gone undefeated once during their run (2019), and they were still challenged that year.

You made the case for glass being half full for the rest of Class A. I will make the case for half empty.

2019 - beat Paintsville 43-0 in running clock Championship game. Outscored opponents 178-33 in the playoffs. Most points were given up by 2nd team defense.
2020 - laid an egg in Covid year for whatever reason.
2021- won 9 straight down the stretch in taking the title. 193-61 in playoffs. Cruised to a big lead and never trailed in the championship game. Shut Russellville stud RB down then a kid who had 1 TD started getting the ball and broke a couple TDs. Props to Russellville. Pikeville was the better team.
2022 - Pikeville wins 12 straight down the stretch and gets the back to back titles. 240-38 in the playoffs in 5 straight blowouts.
2023 - Pikeville wins 10 straight down the stretch for the 3-peat. Avenges 1 point loss to Raceland with 21-0 shutout in the Championship game. 174-41 in the playoffs. Beat a tough team in Campbellsville on the road in semis. Never trailed, took a knee on goal line at the end. Props to Campbellsville. Pikeville was the better team.
2024 - Pikeville roster stacked as much, maybe even more.

Of course there will be other good teams in Class A. Just going to take a monster game from a monster Class A team to knock Pikeville off the throne.