Tonight & Tomorrow's Lineup

Friday

Phelps vs. Pike Co. Central (Pike Co. Bowl / 6 PM) @ Belfry - No a very good matchup for Phelps, as Pike Central returns a lot of talent and is coming off of a 38-0 victory over Greenup County.

Harrison Co. @ Belfry (Pike Co. Bowl / 8 PM) - Harrison County hasn't been very successful in football in quite a while now and the Pirates look to get their first opening game win in 3 years.

Jenkins @ Allen Central 7:30 PM - Allen Central should start off the season with a win tonight over the Cavs of Jenkins.

Perry Co. Central @ Johnson Central 7:30 PM - First test of the season for Johnson Central who faces a very athletic Perry Central team who is coming off of a week 0 win over Prestonsburg. Can JJ have another big game for JC?

Jackson Co. @ Lawrence Co. 7:30 PM - The Bulldogs should be able to rebound after their opening week loss to Ashland.

Leslie Co. @ Magoffin Co. 7:30 PM - A lot of questions surrounding the Magoffin County program coming into the season and many of them should be answered tonight versus Leslie County.

Paintsville @ Paris 7:30 PM - Tigers open up the season tonight in a game that should be a good one, but I expect the Tigers to come out on top.

Prestonsburg @ Sheldon Clark 7:30 PM - Our game of the week should be a good one and gives us all a chance to see which team wasn't effected by last weeks losses.

Betsy Layne @ South Floyd 7:30 PM - Rival game that should be very entertaining and one that I think BL comes out on top in.


Saturday

East Ridge vs. Shelby Valley (Pike Co. Bowl / 6:00 PM) @ Pikeville - ER dominated this game last season, however this season the game could go either way.

Tellico Plains, TN @ Pikeville (Pike Co. Bowl / 8:30 PM) - Not very familiar with Tellico Plains, but Pikeville is very good in the Pike Co. Bowl.

Should be a great couple of days of football.

Best of luck to all teams tonight & tomorrow!

Big Sandy Preps Game of the Week: Prestonsburg @ Sheldon Clark

Prestonsburg, yet again, is apart of our game of the week. This week the Blackcats travel to Inez to face rival, Sheldon Clark at "The Rock". Prestonsburg has owned the series lately, winning the last 4 meetings and outscoring the Cardinals, 99-48, dating back to 2006.

Both teams opened up the season with losses, as Prestonsburg fail to Perry County Central in the final 2 seconds , 35-34. Sheldon Clark was shutout by Rockcastle County, 45-0 at Harrison County's Thorobred Bowl. Both teams will be looking for the win and both will be looking to show the mountains that they're as good as advertised and not over-hyped.

Sheldon Clark did graduate 17 players off of last seasons team, including most of their offensive line, which is important for the success of their run, run, run offense. The addition of Tim Smith from Shelby Valley and the return of KP Skyles certainly makes this team worthy of a second look, as the Cardinal backfield is arguably one of the quickest in the mountains. But neither back got a chance to show off that speed against Rockcastle County, as the Rockets shut down the Cardinal offense.

The Blackcats of Prestonsburg only graduated 4 starters from both sides of the ball last season and return a defensive coordinators nightmare with Jamerson & Bryson Williams. However the emergence of freshman Jarred Jarrell & sophomore Grant Anderson against Perry Central certainly doesn't make things any easier on coaches who are trying to prepare for the Blackcats. Adam Crisp has a ton of weapons to throw too along with a veteran line, that actually "looks like an offensive line", says John Derossett during media days a few weeks ago. You would think this offense would be unstoppable with all the talent, but they come out of the gate slow against Perry Central last week, however they look nearly unstoppable in the 2nd half, scoring 28 points to only 6 in the first half.

Many, including Sheldon Clark fans don't know what to expect out of the Cardinals this Friday because of the beating they took against Rockcastle. It could wind up being one of those scenarios where Rockcastle County was just that good or that Sheldon Clark was just way over hyped coming into season, or just a little of both. We will certainly find out though, because like I eluded to above, both teams are going to be coming out with something to prove.

Best of luck to both!

KHSAA Concludes Pike Co. Central Investigation

- Per WYMT:

Officials at Pike County Central have imposed a series of penalties on the school’s football program following the receipt of results and findings of a nearly year-long KHSAA investigation of the school’s football program. In addition, KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett imposed sanctions within the KHSAA Bylaws based on the
investigation.

The investigation centered on issues involving several association bylaws, with the efforts centered on KHSAA Bylaw6 (Transfer Rule) and Bylaw 10 (Recruiting) within the football program. As part of the findings, the KHSAA has agreed to accept the following self-imposed penalties by the Pike County Central administration:


- Forfeit all wins from the 2010 season;

- The head football coach will be suspended for one third of the team’s scheduled football games for the 2011 season. One of those games includes the Pike County Bowl, one away contest and one home contest;

- Development of a corrective action plan at Pike County Central within local district policies and based on proposed detailed elements; 

- Pike County Central will reimburse the KHSAA the out of pocket costs of the outside investigative assistance in the matter for in 2010-11 school year, approximately $3,000;

- Institute a mandatory training session staffed by the Pike County Board of Education representatives on local district policies and expectations;
- Institute a required training program for all coaches, as well as inclusion of the principal and athletic director, which shall be facilitated and conducted by KHSAA staff.

“I deeply understand the fact this is a black eye on our school district, and our school in particular, one that affects our staff, our students and myself personally,” said Pike County Central Principal David Rowe. “We want to ensure that this or any similar event does not happen again. After consulting with the superintendent, we have implemented appropriate measures that we feel will do just that.” In addition, the following penalties have been levied by the Association:

- If one does not already exist, a written handbook of rules and expectations for those involved in athletics at Pike County Central shall be developed. If one already exists, it shall be revised to ensure inclusion of items discovered during the investigation. This is due to the KHSAA by December 1, 2011;

- Submit written documentation that all self-penalties have been implemented;

- The football program will be placed on probation and remain on probation through the remainder of the 2011 season. Any further violation of KHSAA rules will result in additional penalties, but does not impact game scheduling or playoff eligibility;

- Pike County Central is issued an administrative fine in the amount of $3,500 for a lack of institutional control and failure to adequately monitor and ensure compliance with its football program. The fine shall be paid by the end of the 2011 football season.
“It is never easy to place sanctions on a school and potentially penalize young people, their families and school communities,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “However, the violations that have occurred are extremely serious in nature and our member schools expect this office to investigate and administer appropriate penalties prescribed by our bylaws. The administration at Pike County Central should be commended for the aggressive and decisive action in response to this situation. The proposed penalties represent a clear identification of the existing problems but strong leadership in resolving them and ensuring they do not happen again.”

The KHSAA will have no further comment. For additional comment please contact the administration at Pike County Central High School.

Week 0 Big Sandy Preps Top 5 & Player of the Week

1. Johnson Central (1-0)
2. Belfry (0-0)
3. Prestonsburg (0-1)
4. Pike Co. Central (1-0)
5. Lawrence County (0-1)

Others receiving votes: Sheldon Clark

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Our player of the week honors belong to none other than Johnson Central star, JJ Jude.

Jude carried the ball only 9 times against Heath Saturday, but his first 3 carries went to the house as he finished with 313 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns. What a way to start the season for Jude as he's knocking on the door of the state's all-time rushing record.

Pike Central's Alan Boggs and Prestonsburg's Jarred Jarrell also received votes for player of the week.