[Belichick]

Offensively, I think the Panthers will open up the playbook a little more this year to try and keep Anthony healthy.  He's "the guy" on both sides of the ball, so keeping him fresh will be a priority.  I look for the passing game to mirror the Isaac McNamee years as opposed to last year.  There's plenty of talent at the WR position with Hall, Hager, Muncy, Slone, and Warren.  I've also heard the Panthers have developed one of their defensive players into one heck of a weapon on the offensive side.  Bottom line:  anything the offense can do to keep teams from stacking the box to stop that run game will pay dividends in the playoffs.

Defensively, the question is up front.  Will Pikeville have enough depth to keep the DL fresh for 4 quarters?  If the answer to that is yes, then I think they have a real good chance to win their 4th straight title.  If the answer to that is no, then there could be an unexpected loss here or there that forces the Panthers on the road in the playoffs, and anything can happen then.  The LBs should be the strength of that D.  Pikeville returns all 4 LBs that started last year's state title game.  The group of Anthony, Stanley, Anderson and Justice is ridiculously talented; they can stop the run and defend the pass.  And those dudes are physical, they love to hit.  As for the secondary, Stevens and Hall return.  Stevens may have the highest potential of any player on the team.  The kid has D1 talent.  Hall might be the fastest player on the team, and everyone knows speed kills in the secondary.  If the Panthers can develop Hager, Muncy, Slone and/or Warren into legit defenders, then look out.  Personally, the thought of Muncy and Slone at the corners would terrify me offensively.  Those dudes are tall and athletic, good luck throwing on them. 

I think everyone will have Pikeville picked as the preseason favorite in Class A.  If the Panthers can develop some of the young guys, keep a fresh rotation on the DL, and open up the passing game, then those projections might be right.  But with those first 6 games, anything can happen.  History tells us that McNamee's teams get stronger as the season progresses.  If history repeats itself this year, title #9 may be coming home to the mountains in 2024.

This is the most informed Pikeville post I’ve seen in a while. I think you are spot on. There is a defensive player who will likely see time at WR and RB. Kid is a stud but like Anthony, I look for them to get him some rest headed into playoffs but he’s a problem on both sides.  I can see the staff keeping some of those other skill guys on one side of the ball or the other or they may rotate them to keep them fresh and ready in case of injuries.  They rotated some players at corner last year with Hall being the only one back who played significant time on defense.  Stevens is definitely one safety.  Hall will likely be at one corner or at the other safety.  Make no mistake, replacing Sam Wright at the other safety is important.  He was QB of the defense.  Got everyone organized.  Hager, Slone, Muncy, and Warren will battle for the other safety or corner spots. Gotta be physical to play for Sullivan on his defense.  I really feel like Hall and Hager will get WR nods as the they started last year and the sophomore class will rotate in on offense with Slone being slightly ahead on offense.  I think they will add Warren and Muncy in on defense to keep them motivated with Slone and Hager getting reps there at times too.  Just a guess.  The defense should be very good but the development of the guys who play the defensive back spots may determine how good.  They have one of the best LB groups in the state and all 4 starters back.  In the case of injury there, they have another guy (Isaiah Hurt) who played quite a bit and can fill in well and in a pinch, and they can slide Stevens or Hager to OLB.  They are big enough and strong enough to do it.  Deepest group on the Pikeville defense.  Line on both sides is always the question for Pikeville. If they have the dudes up front, they usually have plenty of skill and the defense will be good.  1A, they will be the best team.  Best team doesn’t always win and like you said with their tough schedule, a few losses and you’re on the road for playoffs and anything can happen.