Panthers and Bulldogs at Daniel Field, 7:30 kick.
HAZARD – October 17, 2019 – JJ Baker – Bluegrass Sports Nation
1A District 7 currently holds the #1 team is Class A, the
Pikeville Panthers, and the #3 in Class A, the Hazard Bulldogs. The Panthers
are, and have been, the most highly touted team in the East since falling to
Beechwood 21-20 in the 2018 KHSAA State Title game. They are returning a stable
of great players and have, so far this season, taken care of business in every
game they have played owning a record of 6-0. The Panthers biggest wins have
been over Paintsville (9-8) and a huge upset of perennial 3A power Belfry, at
Pond Creek (22-21). Hazard seems to be emerging as a potential stumbling block
for the 1A, #1 though. The Bulldogs have amassed a modest record (4-2) so far
this season, but have some really good wins over Paintsville (23-14) and
Danville (30-29). They are a young team that has steadily improved since pads
were first put on in August. We will have to wait till Friday night to see if
they have improved enough to be at the top of their class.
The Panthers bring one glaring advantage to this game;
speed. In what is THE fastest team in 1A, the Panthers are capable of huge
plays on every snap of the game. The fastest of the fast for Pikeville is #1,
Jackson Hensley. Hensley is a Harvard commit and had Division 1 schools all
over the US courting him before he committed to the Crimsons. He is a dynamic
play-maker and he and his 4.4, 40 yard speed must be contained and not allowed
to get in the open field. He is their do-it-all back, also. He is receiver and
kick returner for both punts and kickoffs and is leading them in scoring with
64 total points this year. The only chance of stopping him is to swarm him and
be sure tacklers, not giving him a second chance to get into the open. What
truly makes Pikeville tough is that they can stretch the field with all 4
speedy receivers and make you cover them for 50 yards down field, but also have
an explosive runner in #4 Cody Rains. Rains is really good at finding a crease
and chewing up chunks of yardage. He is second behind Hensley in scoring with
42 points this season. Defensively, Jon Collum has been a terror for opposing
offenses. He is leading Pikeville in tackles with 58 and has 6 TFLs and 1 sack.
The Panthers have very few weaknesses on either side of the ball. Hazard has to
take advantage of any mistakes that this Pikeville team makes in order to be
successful this week.
The Bulldogs ability to win on Friday may lay within 1 yard
of where the ball is spotted on each down. The offensive and defensive lines
must play their best game of the year. The offensive line that consists of
Dalton Strong, Matt Couch, Thomas Massey, Kenton Beverly, and Ryan Dean, must
be able to move Pikeville. Most teams are better when they are able to run the
ball and Hazard is no different. If Trajon Campbell and Reece Fletcher are
going to have big nights, the big men up front need to be dominant. Not only
must they open up rush lanes, but they must give QB Garrett Miller time in the
pocket to let his receivers work open. The defensive line of Matt Couch, Tim
Owsley, Hootie Thomas, Jacob Fields, and Nate Smith must be able to control the
Panther’s offensive line. Hazard has as good of a linebacking crew as there is
around, but those guys must be able to do their job and it is that D-line’s job
to clear the clutter and let them work. The Bulldogs also need to cause at
least 2 turnovers in the game. Pikeville has taken advantage of other teams
this year by turning them over 19 times. Hazard has turned teams over 16 times
as well, but must win the turnover battle on Friday night.
The game atmosphere was electric and unmatched when Somerset
rolled into Hazard two weeks ago. I would expect no less this week with all the
playoff implications this game has. Winner of this game should have home field
advantage throughout the playoffs and a distinct advantage of running all the
way to Kroger Field for the KHSAA Finals in December. Just writing those words
are a testament to how hard this Bulldog team has worked. For much of the early
season they weren’t ranked, or were ranked very low. They have truly laid it
all on the line each week, improved against all odds and doubters, and could
make that next giant step to true relevancy if they can knock off the Panthers.
This win would cancel all the naysayers who have blamed everything from
officiating to team injuries for Hazard’s success so far this season. No team
in the state is going to allow you to win. If the Dogs are hungry enough, they
must kick the door down Friday night and snatch a win from the Panthers.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm. With this type of game, it would be wise to
get there early and enjoy the unique gameday vibe around Daniel Field. Check
back in with Bluegrasssportsnation.com on Saturday for a wrap up of this, and
other regional team coverage.
