[jetpilot]

Just like the past few years, Pikeville will be as good as their lineplay and ability to play SMART football.

It can be argued that the only team to knock Pikeville out fo the playoffs the past two seaosns, is Pikeville. Last year Pikeville clearly overlooked Hazard, this year they self destructed with turnovers againbst LCA.

Pikeville is blessed to have possibly the best returning player in 1A, but if Harmon is getting hit by three defenders whenever he touches the ball, it is a moot point.

Keys to Pikeville's succes next year:
- Finding an O-line
- The development of Branham at the QB position, in particular the ability to efficiently throw 12-15 times a game.
- Utilizing the Cleary kid as a strong second option to Harmon
- Keeping Harmon healthy

Excellent analysis EKU...Don't forget about Ross McCoy, who was very good this year, and several other good RBs for Pikeville. The key in getting back to the Pikeville of old is getting all the players out IMO, making sure the JH and little league programs are top-notch (not playing people 2 years older than them and the HC being at ALL these games like Hillard Howard always was), loosening up on the kids a little in the off season so they are not burned out, and hitting more in practice instead of standing around talking until everyone is rolling their eyes and blue in the face. Said from many people that there are way too many team meetings which go on and on and on and on and on with the coaches talking and talking and talking until it completely wears the kids out. And again, this coaching staff needs an assistant or two who are from Pikeville...it would mean a great deal. They should beg Ben Howard and Jason Howell to join the staff, and then they would have a staff second to none in the mountains. Both of those guys care about the Pikeville kids and the program more than anyone in the world.

Of course I will get slammed for my comments, but I am just trying to help. Just passing along the consensus of what is being said by 90% of Pikeville fans, who were here long, long ago and will be here long, long after...

Not slamming the coaches, they are good guys.

:mad: