[TheBigDIll]

The big red machine has the best chance for a 2a swipe next year!! They have a really good chance to make it to Kroger this year also

There is a reason why Belfry chooses to play up in 3A every year... 3A is easier to make it to a state championship by far. They play in 3A to stay away from the Recruiting Catholic/Independent Schools that are always there in 1A and 2A!! Mayfield/Beechwood/LCA/Owensboro Catholic

Not true. A lot of years Belfry has won a state title they’d won it in 2A too. Heck I’d say 4A and 5A back in 2015 and 2016.

Not Sure if you understand what you're saying lol?? Belfry has NEVER been 4A or 5A... and their enrollment has been low enough for them to play in 2A for the last 3 years!!! Belfry has CHOSEN to play up in class because the competition is easier in 3A than 2A!! Need to do your research before you post lol!!

[pirateforlife]

The big red machine has the best chance for a 2a swipe next year!! They have a really good chance to make it to Kroger this year also

There is a reason why Belfry chooses to play up in 3A every year... 3A is easier to make it to a state championship by far. They play in 3A to stay away from the Recruiting Catholic/Independent Schools that are always there in 1A and 2A!! Mayfield/Beechwood/LCA/Owensboro Catholic

Not true. A lot of years Belfry has won a state title they’d won it in 2A too. Heck I’d say 4A and 5A back in 2015 and 2016.

Not Sure if you understand what you're saying lol?? Belfry has NEVER been 4A or 5A... and their enrollment has been low enough for them to play in 2A for the last 3 years!!! Belfry has CHOSEN to play up in class because the competition is easier in 3A than 2A!! Need to do your research before you post lol!!

You must be new to EKY football. I’m saying it doesn’t matter if Belfry was 1A they 4A in most years they won a state title they’d won it in any of those classes. Johnson Central had a running clock win in the 2016 state finals in 4A but lost at home to Belfry

[ROTC]

I understood your post, exactly!

[-STAT-]

This one sure was a fun game to watch.

Knew Martin Co would prove a tough test for Pburg, and the way it started I had a feeling it would get out of hand. First 2 Pburg possessions resulted in 2 turnovers. The thing that everyone really forgets, or don't know is that this team is still very young, outside of Elliott & Harris.

Really have to give props to coach Hager and the rest of his staff, with the high of a huge win last week against Betsy Layne, this Martin Co. game could've easily been a hangover type of game, and it seemed that way with the back-to-back turnovers, but credit to the coaches for having their team focused and ready to play.

Martin Co was definitely no pushover, Maynard is the real deal at QB, and Watts is so shifty and elusive as well in that backfield. Pburg defense struggled for most of the night but got the stop of the game when they needed it at the end. How about that drive for Pburg to put them ahead? I read that it was a 21 play 76-yard drive, melted most of the 4th qtr. clock. Hager made another great call putting Elliott in there to run the wildcat (or black cat), and he ran it to perfection. I've been really impressed with him the last couple of games, known as more of a finesse player and can outrun just about anybody, the last 2 games he has shown a lot of toughness, absorbed contact and stayed on his feet, been great to watch that.

Well-deserved bye week for this team, then it's the Hager Bowl next Friday night. Congrats to Prestonsburg on a hard-fought win.

[barnburner]

The big red machine has the best chance for a 2a swipe next year!! They have a really good chance to make it to Kroger this year also

There is a reason why Belfry chooses to play up in 3A every year... 3A is easier to make it to a state championship by far. They play in 3A to stay away from the Recruiting Catholic/Independent Schools that are always there in 1A and 2A!! Mayfield/Beechwood/LCA/Owensboro Catholic

Not true. A lot of years Belfry has won a state title they’d won it in 2A too. Heck I’d say 4A and 5A back in 2015 and 2016.

Not Sure if you understand what you're saying lol?? Belfry has NEVER been 4A or 5A... and their enrollment has been low enough for them to play in 2A for the last 3 years!!! Belfry has CHOSEN to play up in class because the competition is easier in 3A than 2A!! Need to do your research before you post lol!!

Why is Belfry going down? If they can stay at 3A and it’s easier.

[TheBigDIll]

The big red machine has the best chance for a 2a swipe next year!! They have a really good chance to make it to Kroger this year also

There is a reason why Belfry chooses to play up in 3A every year... 3A is easier to make it to a state championship by far. They play in 3A to stay away from the Recruiting Catholic/Independent Schools that are always there in 1A and 2A!! Mayfield/Beechwood/LCA/Owensboro Catholic

Not true. A lot of years Belfry has won a state title they’d won it in 2A too. Heck I’d say 4A and 5A back in 2015 and 2016.

Not Sure if you understand what you're saying lol?? Belfry has NEVER been 4A or 5A... and their enrollment has been low enough for them to play in 2A for the last 3 years!!! Belfry has CHOSEN to play up in class because the competition is easier in 3A than 2A!! Need to do your research before you post lol!!

Why is Belfry going down? If they can stay at 3A and it’s easier.

The KHSAA is forcing Belfry and other teams to play in the class that they're supposed to be in, rather than choosing to play up a class because its easier!!

[pirateforlife]

There is a reason why Belfry chooses to play up in 3A every year... 3A is easier to make it to a state championship by far. They play in 3A to stay away from the Recruiting Catholic/Independent Schools that are always there in 1A and 2A!! Mayfield/Beechwood/LCA/Owensboro Catholic

Not true. A lot of years Belfry has won a state title they’d won it in 2A too. Heck I’d say 4A and 5A back in 2015 and 2016.

Not Sure if you understand what you're saying lol?? Belfry has NEVER been 4A or 5A... and their enrollment has been low enough for them to play in 2A for the last 3 years!!! Belfry has CHOSEN to play up in class because the competition is easier in 3A than 2A!! Need to do your research before you post lol!!

Why is Belfry going down? If they can stay at 3A and it’s easier.

The KHSAA is forcing Belfry and other teams to play in the class that they're supposed to be in, rather than choosing to play up a class because its easier!!

How many state championships you think Belfry has if they played in 2A since 2007 which is when KHSAA went to 6 classes and Belfry was 3A

[FballFan67]

I am confused about how these districts are this year but I would expect these two to meet again in the near future. Hopefully it will be another good game. I won't miss the next one. congrats to P-Burg but no knock on Martin looks like you both played well. Good luck to both teams moving forward.

Out of the 2A teams in this area would P-Burg, Martin, and Betsy Layne be the top ones? Or am I overlooking someone?

[BlackcatAlum]

I am confused about how these districts are this year but I would expect these two to meet again in the near future. Hopefully it will be another good game. I won't miss the next one. congrats to P-Burg but no knock on Martin looks like you both played well. Good luck to both teams moving forward.

Out of the 2A teams in this area would P-Burg, Martin, and Betsy Layne be the top ones? Or am I overlooking someone?

I think those 3 are the top 3 right now with Shelby Valley in a close 4th.

As for playoffs, if I’m not mistaken Prestonsburg is likely to see the 2 seed from district 8, which would be Betsy Layne or Shelby Valley most likely.

Martin County will likely be the district 7 2 seed, so that’ll put them facing in all likelihood Pike Central in round 1 and traveling to Betsy Layne or Valley in second round.

Therefore, I don’t think Prestonsburg and Martin County will see one another in the playoffs. Makes no sense for any of these programs have to travel to Somerset or Beechwood in the quarterfinals. This should be the regional championship round, but I believe that’s what it’s going back to starting next season. 

I think I’m right, because I’m basing my logic off last year’s postseason, but there’s a chance I’m wrong somewhere.

[pirateforlife]

I am confused about how these districts are this year but I would expect these two to meet again in the near future. Hopefully it will be another good game. I won't miss the next one. congrats to P-Burg but no knock on Martin looks like you both played well. Good luck to both teams moving forward.

Out of the 2A teams in this area would P-Burg, Martin, and Betsy Layne be the top ones? Or am I overlooking someone?

I think those 3 are the top 3 right now with Shelby Valley in a close 4th.

As for playoffs, if I’m not mistaken Prestonsburg is likely to see the 2 seed from district 8, which would be Betsy Layne or Shelby Valley most likely.

Martin County will likely be the district 7 2 seed, so that’ll put them facing in all likelihood Pike Central in round 1 and traveling to Betsy Layne or Valley in second round.

Therefore, I don’t think Prestonsburg and Martin County will see one another in the playoffs. Makes no sense for any of these programs have to travel to Somerset or Beechwood in the quarterfinals. This should be the regional championship round, but I believe that’s what it’s going back to starting next season. 

I think I’m right, because I’m basing my logic off last year’s postseason, but there’s a chance I’m wrong somewhere.

Round 3 is when RPI takes effect. Still East and west separated until round 4. If Prestonsburg can beat Breathitt that should put them hosting round 3 if they make it. If they lose to Breathitt then they could be on the road to Somerset or Beechwood.

[Blackcat 4 Life]

What a win for Coach Hager and the Blackcats! Hager made a game changing adjustment at halftime, and this ultimately won the game in the end. Moving Elliott to QB, was a game changer and changed the dynamics of the game. Defense was once again solid, with the bend but don't break mentality. Martin County was the most physical team the Blackcats have faced up until this point. You've got to like the fact that Hager had the "testicular fortitude" to go for two late in the game. You are either a hero, or a zero in that situation, and he turned out to be the hero! That tells me he has confidence in his abilities and most importantly, his teams ability to make big plays in the clutch.

This week is a much needed bye week, with two potential running clock games on the horizon with Knott and Floyd Central. Breathitt may be 2-5, but they have played a tough, tough schedule, and I look for this to be the Blackcats toughest game so far, especially playing in Jackson. Breathitt whipped them last year, and it will be interesting to see the Blackcats going into this game at 9-0. Overall, this season has been a blessing, and with a district championship on the horizon, this is a big time building block for this program, especially with the chance to host two or possibly three home playoff games.

The feeder programs are heading in the right direction with the B and C teams winning the county championships. The middle school team had a solid year and they have some kids who are going to contribute next year at the high school. I've heard the B team could be one of the best groups to go through Prestonsburg. It seems like over the past ten to fifteen years we have had a hard time keeping the talent in P-Burg, but with Hager at the helm I don't think that will be an issue going forward. All and all, it is a good time to be a Blackcat. Hail Blackcats!