Football

Week 1 Preview and Prediction: Pike Central vs. Letcher County Central

By Chad Pugh

Posted on August 17, 2015

Pike County Central will make the journey South to take on the Cougars of Letcher County Central Friday night. Pike Central was able to pull out a 34-33 win over the class 6A Cougars last season and finished with a 6-6 record.

With the loss of quarterback Mac Justice, who threw for 1,791 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, Pike Central will look to sophomore quarterback Seth Conn to lead the offense this season. Justice was a key component of the Hawks offense last season as was leading receiver Brad Elkins, lead the Hawks with 881 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Both players now play for Union College. Conn saw limited action at quarterback last season, he only attempted one pass on the season. Conn did catch 25 passes for 364 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The Hawks will most likely rely heavily on the running game this season and look for junior running back Dylan Coleman to get the bulk of the carries for the Hawks, especially with the departure of junior Austin Mullins.

Defensively the Hawks will be led by linebackers Tyler Holbrook and Gabe Stanley. Stanley was the leading Pike Central with 97 tackles last season and Holbrook added 50 tackles.

Letcher County Central finished the 2014 season with a 9-3 record. Senior running back Jaylyn Williams returns for the Cougars. Williams led the team in rushing last season with 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Quarterback Zane Blair is gone from last season. Blair threw for 1,891 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 106-190 pass attempts. Blair was the only quarterback to attempt a pass for the Letcher County last season, so will be starting over at the quarterback position.

Defensively Letcher Central will be led by linebacker Avery Stamper, who was the teams leading tackler last season.

*My prediction for this game.*

I think Pike Central is too young on defense to stop running back Jaylyn Williams, I do think it will be a close game, but in the end I think Letcher County comes out on top 21-14.

Predict the winner of this game in the poll below.

Who will win between Pike Central and Letcher County Central?