[Big Five-0-]

All guesswork, hopes and wishes. None of it means anything. We will find out how Pikeville and Raceland stack up very soon. Pikeville will have the best skill position group in Class A and can always dial up a great defense (allowed Raceland 29 total points in last 4 meetings). Anybody who thinks Pikeville isn't as good as anyone in Class A is kidding themselves. They will focused and in it to win it.

Raceland and Pikeville are eerily similar. Raceland and Pikeville BOTH have a lot of great skill players, but you would never know it once the games start. Both teams are carbon copy gameplans when they play each other. When playing weaker teams they play aggressive, being creative on offense and non-predictable. But when both teams play a team of equal or greater skill level, their coaches clam up and call some of the most conservative games you can imagine. Both teams just try to run it...run it... run it....up the middle....up the middle....up the middle...trap, QB draw, Wildcat, etc...praying to God that their RB breaks a long run. It's hard to watch. 3rd and 9 and both teams throw screens, or my personal favorite....a draw.
So really talking about Pikeville's skill players doesn't mean much. They could have Justin Jefferson out there and they are going to die before they throw it past the sticks.
I really think Pikeville fans (like Raceland fans) think *skill guys* are running backs only, not QBs, WRs, or TEs.

Lots to agree with there but Pikeville fans know very well what skill players are. 
Pikeville 3 TD passes vs Beechwood in 2015 championship 
3 TD passes vs Paintsville in 2019 championship 
Then came Birchfield and Anthony 
1 TD pass vs Russellville in 2021 championship got ultra conservative 
1 TD pass vs Raceland in 2022 but Birchfield had almost 300 rushing yards so no need to pass
1 TD pass vs Raceland in 2023 but Raceland couldn't score so no need to pass
2024 play calling was atrocious other than a game or 2.

Pikeville has at least 4 VERY good receivers this year:
Hager, Slone, Warren, Braxton. All can score from anywhere. And others. And several good RBs. And a potentially great dual threat QB. Should be very good offensively since they have weapons everywhere. BUT if they just stick someone in Anthony's spot and feed him the ball it will be unwatchable.
If Pikeville would just run their offense like the Jr High did last year and mix it up they would win Class A this year and nobody can convince me otherwise.

Jeremiah Anderson just might be the one to fill that vacancy left by Anthony. Eighth grade stud FB, built like a tank that was hard to bring down. Been playing LB on D in the varsity, but definitely could be plugged in there to replace Anthony, Imo. Pretty sure Anderson will be a Jr this season. Agree jet. That was some excellent play calling for an excellent Jr High team last season.