Game of the Week Recap: Pikeville Panthers 21 Raceland Rams 20

With the recent realignments in KHSAA football, Class A Region IV has some new faces. One of those new faces is Raceland. The Rams have been a consistent football program with limited playoff success, having never won a regional title. But with the new alignment, the Rams find themselves in a much less competitive region. Pikeville is familiar to Region IV and welcomed their new regional rival into the WC Hambley Athletic Complex Friday night in Week 2.


The contest got off to a quick start. After a Pikeville 3 and out, Raceland Quarterback (Soph) Adam Elkins hooked up with (Sr) Marcus Reed on a 46 yard WR screen for the first score of the game. The Rams proceed to add the two point conversion to take an 8-0 lead early in the first. But the Panthers would answer back quickly. After (Fr) Cody Estep set Pikeville up with good field position with a return out past their own 40 yard line, Quarterback (Sr) Randy Maynard found (Sr) WR, and newcomer, Gavin Miller with a 36 yard strike down the sideline down to the Raceland 7. Maynard would keep on the option the very next play for a 7 yard TD run. The Zack Burgy-Vanhoose PAT made the score 8-7 in favor of Raceland. As both defense held for the remainder of the quarter, at the end of one the score was still 8-7.

Both teams exchanged drives that ended in punts to begin the second quarter. On Pikeville's second drive of the quarter, Maynard Connect with WR (Sr) Tolliver Hefner on a long play action pass to set up the Panthers deep inside the red zone. However, the Panthers would give it right back to the Rams. 2 plays later, A snap that never reached the quarterback was recovered by Raceland. Raceland was unable to convert on the turnover and was forced to kick. The punt was not fielded and took a huge Orange and Black bounce all the way inside the Panther 20. From there, the Panthers continued to inflict damage upon themselves. On a read-run, Maynard tried to pull the ball back out from RB (Soph) Chase Hall and the ball was lodged out of his hands onto the ground and into the hands of a Raceland defender. This time the Rams would cash in on the Pikeville mistake. 2 plays later, 2nd string Raceland QB, (Fr) Conner Messner, took the QB draw from 10 yards out into the end zone for the touchdown. The PAT attempt was blocked by Cody Estep, A play that would prove be huge in the end.

Pikeville, as they did in the first quarter, did not take long to respond. Maynard, on a busted play, kept the ball and scrambled 67 yards for the Panther touchdown. Burgy-Vanhoose tacked on the XP to tie the game at 14. With little time remaining in the 1st half, Raceland tried to move the ball downfield for a quick score. In doing so, Elkins hurried a pass that was intercepted by LB Tolliver Hefner. Hefner returned the ball to the Raceland 26 yard line. After a 26 yard bomb from Maynard to Estep was called back, Pikeville worked to get themselves into Field goal range. The Panthers maneuvered the ball down the field to set up a 25 yard field goal attempt as time expired, but the kick was wide to the right. The score was knotted up at the half 14-14.

The 3rd quarter was hard fought with both teams having opportunities in the others' territory. But both defenses refused to break. The game would come down to the 4th and final quarter. Both clubs were plagued by fatigue and cramps at this point, it looked like it may come down to which team has the ball last. Both Raceland and Pikeville would have drives that ended in punts on their first series of the 4th. Pikeville's second possession looked as if it would stall, but on third down Cody Estep sneaked behind the Raceland defense and Maynard found him for a 69 yard touchdown strike. Burgy-Vanhoose tacked on the PAT to give the Panthers their first lead of the game 21-14 with 6:04 remaining.

Raceland was not going to go away without one last shot. The Rams started their drive from their own 20 yard line after the touchback. Raceland would proceed to gradually matriculate down the field eating up all of the clock. The Pikeville defense was gassed by the time the Rams reached the red zone. On 1st and goal with under 2:00, Raceland handed off to Reed who got down inside the 5. On 2nd and goal, it was Reed again getting Raceland inside the 1 yard line. 3rd and goal, Coach TJ Maynard called Reed's number again, but (Jr) DE Wes Anderson met Reed 4 yards deep in the backfield for the loss. With 27.4 seconds left, Raceland had 4th and the ball game. Elkins took the snap and pitched to Reed on the sweep. Pikeville had it snuffed out and Reed was dead to rights until he raised up to pass. Maynard tried to retreat but Tyler Nethercutt was free in the back of the end zone. Nethercutt caught the ball got both feet down and the attention was immediately on the next play. Raceland being visitors and having apoor kicking game elected to try for 2. After a false start penalty backed the ball up to the 8 yard line, Elkins dropped back and missed a wide open reciever on a slant route in the end zone to seal the victory for Pikeville. The Panthers recovered the onside kick, took a knee, and took a W.


Pikeville was led one again by Randy Maynard and Cody Estep. The two have been fantastic on offense the first 3 weeks. LB (Soph) Austin Black really came out of his shell on defense. Black was all over the field reeking havoc for the Rams. Raceland was paced by a solid ground game and physicality. Raceland's WRs blocked exceptionally well. There is a good possibility that these two team will meet in the post season for part II. Goodluck to Raceland the rest of the way.

Week 1 Big Sandy Preps Top 5 & Player of the Week

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


Others receiving votes: Sheldon Clark 0-2, Pikeville 2-0


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Our player of the week award belongs to Shelby Valley senior Lucas Fields who had a career night against rival East Ridge. Fields rushed for over 200 yards and had 4 touchdowns in the blow out victory in the Pike Co. Bowl, 55-6.

Congrats to Lucas!

Week 1 Wrap-up

Our game of the week once again involved the Prestonsburg Blackcats who were coming off of a opening game loss to Perry Central in week 0. The Blackcats took on the Sheldon Clark Cardinals who also opened up the season with a blow-out loss to Rockcastle County. Both teams wanted to prove that they were worthy of their preseason hype and the Blackcats winded up getting the better of Sheldon Clark at Cardinal Stadium, 34-12.

Johnson Central welcomed the Perry Central Commodores to the "Eagle Nest" and Perry Central shocks the mountains as they pull off the upset, 35-27. JJ Jude still had a good game with over 140 yards rushing, but the Eagles didn't have enough to contain Kyle Huff & company.

The Belfry Pirates opened up the season hosting Harrison County at CAM Stadium in the 27th annual Pike County Bowl. The Pirates started out the season just right with a blow out, 34-7 victory.

Pike Central played Phelps at Belfry and the Hawks won in another blowout at "The CAM", 57-6 over the Hornets.

Pikeville hosted Tellico Plains, TN and picked up their second victory of the season in impressive fashion, winning 35-8.

Shelby Valley played rival East Ridge in what was a payback game for SV who was blown out by East Ridge last season. The Wildcats returned the favor as they destroyed East Ridge, 55-6. Very impressive victory for the Wildcats!

Betsy Layne traveled to Hi Hat to take on their rival, the South Floyd Raiders. Betsy Layne cruised in this game picking up the easy victory, 38-8.

Allen Central took on Jenkins and the Rebels beat the Cavs in impressively, 60-8.

Magoffin County opened up the season at home against Leslie County, but fell to the Eagles, 40-10.

Lawrence County won an easy one at home against Jackson County, 41-7.

Paintsville started out the season with a impressive victory over Paris at Paris, 34-12.