[Panther Thunder]

I agree partially with Mastadon and partially with TB. I think Paintsville is a year away and will need home field advantage to make a deep playoff run.
I wouldn't put too much stock in last year's game in thinking Paintsville is as good as Pikeville either. Pikeville was coming off emotional come from behind wins over P'burg and Hazard last year, and everyone thought Paintsville was going to suck. Then the whole town shows up like it's the state championship (that's a good thing), and their coaching staff has a great game plan and almost pulls off a huge shocker. That won't happen at Pikeville in 2014. Pikeville will have 50 kids on the roster unless something weird happens and when Pikeville does that it almost impossible for any Class A team not named Mayfield to come into Pikeville and win. Also most people don't realize Pikeville had a great freshman class last year (19 freshmen!), plus the middle school team turned the tables on Paintsville MS in a big way in the playoffs last year.

Before you go off on me TB Paintsville has one win in Pikeville in 30+ years. Paintsville has 3 VERY good players and a few more good players.
Daniel, Phelps and giving Belcher the benefit of the doubt of being very good and a few more good players with maybe 30 total on the roster doesn't equal A. Charles, Pugh coming back, Maynard, Estep, C. Charles, B. Charles who looked great last year, and possibly 45 more players, many who are very good. Yes Pikeville lost some good players and a great player in Hall, but when you only lose 6 seniors and have a roster of around 50 coming out in August, you are very excited for a Class A school with home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

As for Paintsville, I see them being pretty darn good and a dangerous team. With Daniel, Phelps and Belcher all being able to run the ball, and mixing in enough passing to keep defenses from stacking the box, they will be tough. I just think the numbers and home field will make the Panthers very hard to beat in 2014. Paintsville will come in trying to move the chains, control the clock and shorten the game, just like last year. If they are successful it's a game, if Pikeville jumps out to a lead and it's a track meet it could be more like the last several times Paintsville has made the journey to Pikeville - ugly.

*Qualifier* - this is just my opinion. I have been known to be wrong for years at a time. :biggrin:

Whatever happens, it will be a huge crowd and game. Like you said, people knew Paintsville was improved, but I don't think anyone expected that kind of game. And like you said, the Prestonsburg and Hazard games were draining. The good thing about this year is that last year leaves the Panthers no excuse. They saw first hand what Paintsville is capable of and they will have to come out ready to play or get beat. Pikeville will be coming off two very big games again, and would be very happy to be 2-0, not sure what Paintsville's schedule looks like, but we should see a Top-10 Class A match up in back-to-back weeks at Hambley with big, playoff-like atmospheres. Can't wait.