[PHSFAN]

I have seen Pikeville practice and play. I saw them against NCC, and for someone to say their D is a lot better after losing Sullivan and Shurtleff is crazy. The game the other night could've got a lot worse if they hadn't called the dogs off midway through 3. The offense needs time to gel, but so does the secondary. They can not play solid coverage. A team that can air it out on them will walk away with the W. A team that has a solid ground attack while they are still missing tackles and shying up from contact will win the game. And a team that can do both will give them fits all night. Pikeville is struggling and I predict Hazard to beat them and possibly Paintsville depending on how their injured players return. The panthers have HHS and PHS in back to back weeks and that is not going to be any easy task. I look for PHS to slide in at 3, Paintsille at 2, and Hazard winning the district this year. You may ask why Hazard, Paintsville and Pikeville's secondary isn't all that great. I look for Hazard to pass their way to a district championship.

Pikeville defense looked better against NCC than they did Beechwood last year and I think NCC is on the same level as Beeechwood last year. Pikeville's offense gave NCC GREAT field position all night which hurt the Pikeville defense. The Pikeville defense was on the field all night with the offesne going 3 and out over and over. I guarantee that Hazard nor Paintsville defesne could have played NCC as tough as Pikeville did. NCC is just on another level than any team in our district...sad but true. Pikeville and Hazard will be a great game and be for the district championship. Paintsville will not beat Pikeville at Pikeville. If they do I will eat my crow but I don't see the Tigers leaving Pikeville with a win.