[Strikeout King]

Would you post Raceland's district?

Class A, District 7

1. Raceland (11-3): For a small-school program that emphasizes tradition, Raceland and its tight-knit community reached a unified high point last season as it beat Pikeville, 14-3, for the Rams' first regional football title in their history. Much of the same crew that accomplished that previously elusive feat is back.

2. Paintsville (8-4): Under first-year head coach Joe Chirico, Paintsville made a habit of surprising people. While the Tigers dropped blowout decisions to Fairview and Raceland, they supplied ample reason to believe the best is yet to come.

3. Fairview (5-5): New coach Fred Ray is optimistic Fairview can distance itself from its penalty-plagued past. The Eagles forfeited all of their wins from their 2012 seaspm state runner-up campaign, and four of their games in 2013, because of using an academically ineligible player in those games. While a speedy recovery is conceivable, incidents such as these typically require time to totally disappear.

4. Nicholas County (2-9): The Bluejackets lost nine straight to end last season, but their youth was clear factor. Coach Robert Hopkins likes the makeup of his team, noting a "very good offseason" as an indicator.


Preseason Favorite: Raceland

A dream season unfolded only to reveal a disappointing conclusion last season. Williamsburg quickly, and emphaticaly, dashed Raceland's hopes of strolling along the "red carpet" at the state championship in Bowling Green. Even with the graduation of virtually the entire front line, the starting quarterback and standout running back, to go along with a change in head coach, the Rams remain fixated on their ultimate goal. Coach Michael Salmons, a Raceland graduate, said expectations include reaching the state semifinals for the second and a good deal of athletes serving as their strenghts, Raceland has a legitimate shot of replicating 2013.


Knocking on the Door: Paintsville

Paintsville experienced its best season since 2005 a year ago. Going 8-4 under the direction of Chirico was no fluke, the Tigers hope. Some of Paintsville's top players return from injury. Plus, a talented transfer - running back Daymion Belcher from Johnson Central - has joined the huddle. He and Kent Phelps (1,188 rushing yards in 2013) will make for a difficult-to-stop duo.


2014 Preseason Player Of The Year

Connor Messer, Raceland, Sr., WR/QB/DB/P

No matter the circumstances, when the game clock is rolling, Messer is usually on the field. He can run (29 rushes, 224 yards, 4 TDs in 2013), Pass (9-of-15 for 97 yards), catch (34 receptions, 711 yards, 10 TDs), defend (3 interceptions, 53 tackles) and kick - he's the teams punter and even booted an extra point last season. Messer also returned two interceptions and ran back a punt for TDs. The senior will see more time at quarterback this season, but he's so valuable everywhere else that Salmons will likely have him hopping around. He's used to that - he's also a champion pole vaulter.


Players to Watch

Daymion Belcher, Paintsville, Jr., RB; Lucas Bradley, Raceland, Sr., OL/DL; Carson Christian, Raceland, Jr., RB/DB; Kash Daniel, Paintsville, Jr., QB; Maverick Dixon, Raceland, Sr., WB/DB; Ben Duncan, Nicholas County, Sr., QB; Seth Holbrook, Raceland, Jr., LB/OL; Isaiah King, Fairview, Sr., RB/DB, Dan Metzler, Fairview, Sr., OL/DL; Kent Phelps, Paintsville, So., RB/LB; Nathan Rainey, Nicholas County, Jr., OL/DL; Alex Roy, Fairview, Jr., QB; Blake Smith, Fairview, Sr., WR/DB; Kane Snyder, Raceland, Jr., RB/LB; Isaac Sosby, Nicholas County, Sr., RB/LB; Luke Trimble, Paintsville, Jr., WR/DB; Isaac Wallace, Raceland, So., OL/DL; Dillon Webb, Nicholas County, Sr., RB/LB; Armonde Yetts, Fairview, Sr., RB/LB; Josh Young, Raceland, Sr., QB/DB