[BlackcatAlum]

Should be another really exciting football game as Pburg won the first matchup earlier this season, 39-32.

I think you can basically throw that game out. as it'll have no implications on this game. BL will come ready to play and want to end Prestonsburg's season and have the last laugh. Prestonsburg would love none other than to continue their revenge tour and end Betsy Layne's season.

What's at stake for both programs: 

Betsy Layne is seeking the programs first ever 2nd round playoff victory. If the Bobcats can beat the Blackcats, they'll likely be headed to Beechwood for the state quarterfinals round. Now if Breathitt County were to pull off the upset over Beechwood, BL is either headed to Inez (if Martin Co beats Shelby Valley) or they're hosting Breathitt County (if MC loses to SV). 

Prestonsburg is seeking their first 2nd round victory since 2014 and would be hosting their first quarterfinals round game since 2009. A win over BL would mean the Blackcats host the winner of Bracken Co/Somerset.

Should be a much talked about matchup and I expect another awesome atmosphere at Josh Francis Field.

Thoughts/Predictions?

[Spud6]

Didn’t Pburg host Somerset in 2013 after Somerset beat Betsy Layne, then Middlesboro and then traveled to Prestonsburg for round 3?

[Cardinalfootballguy]

Give me the Bobcats this go around

[BlackcatAlum]

Didn’t Pburg host Somerset in 2013 after Somerset beat Betsy Layne, then Middlesboro and then traveled to Prestonsburg for round 3?

I stand corrected, thank you!

[FootballFanatic28]

Bobcats this round .

[Belichick]

I think Betsy Layne gets last laugh.

[Link M9]

Should be a good game , prestonsburg for the win I believe .

[hawg laig]

This one will be a slobber knocker. Rivals with a lot at stake. Prestonsburg has looked vulnerable against the run between the tackles lately which figures in the Bobcats favor. With that, I have not seen Coach Hager fail to make the necessary adjustments. I think the Blackcats by 7.

[Tailback44]

Betsy Layne 38-33

[Colonel4Life1999]

Hard to beat a team multiple times in one year, especially when its your cross town rival that is pretty evenly matched. 

I'll take the Bobcats in this round

BL 44
Pburg 36

[BlackcatAlum]

Thanks to a couple of local businesses, all Floyd county students will receive free admission to this game Friday night.

[Spud6]

Thanks to a couple of local businesses, all Floyd county students will receive free admission to this game Friday night.

Would love to know the names of these companies so we could shout them out

[foxbatone]

This is not rivalry!!

[Colonel4Life1999]

This is not rivalry!!

This is funny. Lol

---

Thanks to a couple of local businesses, all Floyd county students will receive free admission to this game Friday night.

Would love to know the names of these companies so we could shout them out

Total Pharmacy Care and East Kentucky Rehabilitation Center were the two sponsors!

[BlackcatAlum]

Thanks to a couple of local businesses, all Floyd county students will receive free admission to this game Friday night.

Would love to know the names of these companies so we could shout them out

Total Pharmacy Care & EKRC

[-STAT-]

There was a lot of hype & expectations surrounding the first meeting and boy did it sure live up to them. Even more hype & expectations for this game, as well as trying to survive & advance.

This one is such a tough call. Both teams have had great seasons, led by young and energetic head coaches who have completely flipped the culture for both programs in a short time. It's been exciting for Floyd Co to have 2 successful football teams, and I would venture to say the biggest game in the history of this county, regular season or playoffs.

Obviously Mccutcheon is going to be the key, Prestonsburg done a great job last time out, they held him in check for most of the game, but the great ones always find a way, and he still had a great game, if they can contain him like last time, that'll be huge. Pburg has multiple options for the run game, and when you add in a QB who can move as well, comfortable getting out of the pocket and making a play either with his arm or legs, that's an added bonus as well. Elliott & Harris will be the focal point, but can't forget the Hatfield boys on short down situations.

I think the key to this game comes down to discipline, something BL has struggled with at times this season, even down the stretch against Pburg in their first matchup. Costly penalties not only will ruin them in this game, but would end their season as well. Also who controls the trenches on both sides, both teams love to run the ball so it will be a battle on both sides.

After all that, I think Prestonsburg continues their run and moves on, but think it'll be like the first matchup, high scoring and close.

Pburg-40
BL-34

[Bandit29]

This is going to be a war! Too close to call!

[Redneck]

I’m picking Pburg to come out on top again, then all of the BL fans will flood Facebook with their “refs cheated” & Pburg played dirty nonsense like they’ve done every game they’ve lost the last 5 years. I’ve already seen some comments about it being a good game as long as the refs play fair.

[BlackcatAlum]

In Betsy Layne's last two games, they've given up over 1000 yards to Powell County and Knott Central.

Prestonsburg didn't even have to throw the ball in the last matchup, as they ran the ball 63 times for 423 yards and 6 TDs. I think BL stopped Pburg's offense 1 time in that game on Pburg's second possession.

If Betsy Layne has any shot at winning this game, they'll not only need big games from McCutcheon and Parsons offensively, but they'll need their defense to play their best game yet.

Prestonsburg is going to want to come out and run the football early and often and just wear Betsy Layne down. Blackcats just need to avoid turning the ball over and playing smart football like they have most of the season. That's what's won them football games.

Officials for this game will be from the 16th region.

Kickoff is at 7PM

[Spud6]

In Betsy Layne's last two games, they've given up over 1000 yards to Powell County and Knott Central.

Prestonsburg didn't even have to throw the ball in the last matchup, as they ran the ball 63 times for 423 yards and 6 TDs. I think BL stopped Pburg's offense 1 time in that game on Pburg's second possession.

If Betsy Layne has any shot at winning this game, they'll not only need big games from McCutcheon and Parsons offensively, but they'll need their defense to play their best game yet.

Prestonsburg is going to want to come out and run the football early and often and just wear Betsy Layne down. Blackcats just need to avoid turning the ball over and playing smart football like they have most of the season. That's what's won them football games.

Officials for this game will be from the 16th region.

Kickoff is at 7PM

And in Prestonsburg’s last two games

Breathitt was up 28-0 in the first quarter 
East Ridge ran for 252 yards against Pburg 

You added Pburg didn’t even have to pass the ball in the first game to win like they have a pass game. They’ve thrown 54 passes on the season for 9 TDs and 5 INTs. If Prestonsburg is throwing the ball, we are in a good spot cause they are getting away from their identity. You all won by 7 points the first game. 

I added all that because the last two games matter zero in this one. Two teams that have a lot to play for and have a lot of pride in what they are doing. Betsy Layne has a chance to make history and Prestonsburg has a chance to cement an unbelievable start for Hager’s tenure and the revitalization of that program. Everything is out the window when the balls kicked tomorrow at 7 pm. This is going to be a war and a pure joy to watch. Hope both teams have a great game and finish the game healthy.

[BlackcatAlum]

In Betsy Layne's last two games, they've given up over 1000 yards to Powell County and Knott Central.

Prestonsburg didn't even have to throw the ball in the last matchup, as they ran the ball 63 times for 423 yards and 6 TDs. I think BL stopped Pburg's offense 1 time in that game on Pburg's second possession.

If Betsy Layne has any shot at winning this game, they'll not only need big games from McCutcheon and Parsons offensively, but they'll need their defense to play their best game yet.

Prestonsburg is going to want to come out and run the football early and often and just wear Betsy Layne down. Blackcats just need to avoid turning the ball over and playing smart football like they have most of the season. That's what's won them football games.

Officials for this game will be from the 16th region.

Kickoff is at 7PM

And in Prestonsburg’s last two games

Breathitt was up 28-0 in the first quarter 
East Ridge ran for 252 yards against Pburg 

You added Pburg didn’t even have to pass the ball in the first game to win like they have a pass game. They’ve thrown 54 passes on the season for 9 TDs and 5 INTs. If Prestonsburg is throwing the ball, we are in a good spot cause they are getting away from their identity. You all won by 7 points the first game. 

I added all that because the last two games matter zero in this one. Two teams that have a lot to play for and have a lot of pride in what they are doing. Betsy Layne has a chance to make history and Prestonsburg has a chance to cement an unbelievable start for Hager’s tenure and the revitalization of that program. Everything is out the window when the balls kicked tomorrow at 7 pm. This is going to be a war and a pure joy to watch. Hope both teams have a great game and finish the game healthy.

Say what you will about the Breathitt County game, Pburg went down there and got spanked, but ER had just over 100 yards at halftime. Pburg's JV played the entire second half with a running clock.

Prestonsburg never had to throw the football against BL's defense. It's the only game all season Prestonsburg never threw the football. Coincidence, nope. Blackcats offense was never behind the chains or in a spot where they needed to throw the football. Go back and watch the first game if you want. And sure, Pburg won by 7 in that first matchup, but weren't the Blackcats up 12 with just over 2 mins left? Then driving inside the Bobcat 30 when they ran the clock out? They could've tried to have punched another touchdown in, but Pburg just tried to run the clock out.

If giving up 1000 yards of offense to Powell and Knott County aren't acknowledged as a concern by a BL fan, such as yourself and just relying on "you can throw the last few games out the window" then it is what it is my man.

I too am hoping for a great game, but I think BL needs to play better defense and force Pburg to have to play behind the chains. If Pburg is running for 4-6 yards a carry and it's 3rd and short all night, then they're going to eat up clock and wear BL down. Pburg's defense needs to tackle better and get stops. They can't allow a special teams TD like in the last game either.