Pikeville and Prestonsburg meet in the season opener for the second straight year. Pikeville started their 11 game winning streak last year by defeating the Blackcats 30-29.
Pikeville lost three key players on the offensive side of the football. Austin Charles, Ben Maynard and Cody Estep have all moved on. Junior Cody Dials and sophomore Wyatt Battaile are both capable of handling the quarterback duties. In their preseason scrimmage, Dials and Battaile were both effective running the offense.
One key player that returns for Pikeville is senior running back Daric Pugh, who had 93 yards rushing against Prestonsburg last season. Pugh led the Panthers in rushing last season with 1454 yards on 162 carries and 24 touchdowns. Look for Pugh to add to those totals this season. If he stays healthy he could be a 2,000 yard rusher this season.
Defensively Pikeville also lost key players. Ben Maynard, Cody Estep and Caleb Skeens are all gone from last year’s defense. Blake Charles, Andrew McNamee, Logan Coleman and Cody Charles will be key players for the Panther defense. Pikeville’s defense looked good against Breathitt County.
Prestonsburg finished last season with a 10-3 record. Senior running back Dalton Frasure is back to lead the Blackcats offense. Frasure led Prestonsburg last season with 1614 yards and 20 touchdowns. Coach John Derossett will rely heavily on Frasure this season. Frasure had 83 yards rushing against Pikeville last season.
Offensively the Blackcats will miss Chatlin Jarrell, who now plays for Pikeville. Jarrell was the second leading receiver for Prestonsburg last year with 37 catches for 477 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Defensively Prestonsburg will be led by senior linebacker Paul Stanley. Stanley finished last season as the third leading tackler for Prestonsburg with 61 total tackle.
Prestonsburg does have one of the best special teams players in the area in kicker/punter Tate Greene. Greene connected on 34 extra point attempts and three field goals last season.
*My prediction for this game.*
I think this game will be another close one. Both teams will keep the ball on the ground, I do not expect to see a lot of passing in this game.
Pikeville will pull this one out with a 27-20 win on the Blackcats home turf.
Predict the winner in the poll below.
Who will win between Pikeville and Prestonsburg?
- Prestonsburg (63%, 177 Votes)
- Pikeville (37%, 106 Votes)
Total Voters: 283
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