[baseball1974]

Very, very few, thought Middlesboro would beat Bell County. Bell steamrolled everyone that they had played. Going into that game, everyone thought Bell was back. It took 4 quarters for everyone to completely change their mind on that. Middlesboro gets penalized for exploiting Bell's weaknesses, which mind you, no other team has really been able to do. Everyone said after that game, "Bell wasn't as good as we thought they were". Everyone said, "They're too one dimensional". Yes, they are pretty one dimensional. But so far, Middlesboro has been the only team to prove that they could contain that one dimension that Bell is good at.

As for your comments on Pikeville's success through the years, I would argue that Middlesboro has been every bit as successful in terms of a complete athletic department. That said, I have a great deal of respect for Pikeville. I feel like they and Middlesboro are very much alike and because of that, I like to see them do well.

In response to a later poster, it is my understanding that Pugh is in fact out. Can any Pikeville faithful confirm this?

I agree with you that Bell is a descent team. They will always field a good team. Even in down years, they'll still compete. However, I do want yo shed light on something in regards to your opponents. You mentioned Bell as being the best team you've beaten and how Bell has steam rolled everyone before they got to Middlesboro. So take a look below at Bell and Middlesboro opponents combined records in relation to Pikeville and Belfry's combined opponents' record so far. I think you can see the huge amount of difference in this comparison.

Bell/Middlesboro opponent win/loss - 17-30-2

Pikeville/Belfry opponent win/loss - 26-14