[Old School Hound]

I picked Corbin to win 35-20. Having said that, Corbin was so much better that some buttholes puckered in that stadium when that Pikeville receiver broke loose with 4 minutes to go on what would have been an easy TD and a 1 score game and the Hounds looked gassed. Nevertheless, that connection didn’t happen but you’re kidding yourself if you watched the game and thought this year’s Corbin is that far superior to Pikeville.  I saw mistakes both ways but Pikeville had essentially 3 turnovers if you count the onside kick and the mighty Corbin offense mustered 2 scores all night.  I think a poster earlier this week made fun of someone who predicted a final score of 14 for Corbin but 15 is what their offense gave them. Turnovers were the difference.  Pikeville defense gave up some yards and missed too many tackles but kept Corbin out of the end zone.  If I knew Corbin managed 2 scores on offense last night, I would have bet on Pikeville but credit to the Corbin defense with a slight nod to some conservative play calling by Pikeville.  Both teams will benefit from that game.

I also picked 35-20 .  If they played on the same field next week with Meadors and Brown suiting up, I would pick 36-14, or maybe 42-14. I watched the game(well, except for the parts I slept through). Few who were there thought Pikeville had much of a chance from 10 minutes left in the 1Q til the final horn sounded. PIkeville will probably win a state title but they wouldn't come within two TDs in that game on that field 95 times out of 100.

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Everyone is saying Pikeville was conservative. They threw a pick 6 and another Int when driving. Does everyone want 3 more TO's and let the game get out of hand? I'd trust the coaches who have won 3 straight titles. Wasn't Pikeville's night but they will continue to improve and be just fine.

I thought they were conservative in the sense that they didn't boldly go where some teams would have---namely, go for it on fourth down, instead of punting. There was more than one instance where they punted when they should have tried to extend the drive. You play to win the game, as Herm Edwards would say. The Pikeville coach seemed to play to keep it close. Having said that, he knows his team way better than I do.  Just not enough boldness from Pikeville last night.