[EKUAlum05]

Mayfield d was better than last year, and held crider to under a hundred last year. He was every bit the back of Pugh and then some led the state last year rushing, and led his team to a close runner up in 5a. No doubt Pugh is a good back, but its comical how everyone always thinks they have something Mayfield hasn't seen and can't handle. Mayfield has seen plenty of fast and heavy backs.

Crider and Pugh is an excellent comparison and very fair, FWIW

I will say though that Pikeville had better secondary options than Crider had with Graves. It truly was an one man show.

Battaile is a much better QB than Graves' and the Charles boys were an upgrade at their positions.

That Graves team is one of the weakest teams to reach the State Finals in recent years (especially for non-1A teams)..I still cannot fathom how they upset Bowling Green who was clearly the best team in 5A IMHO last year. Goes to show how any team can lose on a given night.