Raceland (2-0) gets ready for a trip to Pikeville, KY to play the Panthers (1-1)
Each week we guest on the popular podcast aired on Youtube entitled Cleats 2 Whistle. Each week we picked a game to breakdown and do so on air. Our podcast was recorded Tuesday night but generally airs sometime Thursday. We all have plenty of “other things” to do; we’re doing the best we can. Last night I volunteered to break down Raceland at Pikeville in a game which will go a ways toward revealing 1A contention. The below is our analysis together with projections on the remaining games.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Pikeville, KY: How many years previously has the 1A classification come down to a matchup between these two teams. We can tell you it is often.
We believe Raceland has the most talent and the best team in 1A this year. The Rams beating Paul Blazer High (4A) in Ashland, Kentucky to open the season and blowing the doors off Pleasure Ridge Park, hereafter “PRP” (Louisville, 6A, 64-14) has convinced us Raceland should be rated number one in both 2A and possibly 3A as well.
We will break down this matchup and pick a winner for Friday night’s game in Pikeville:
Raceland Rams
10-5 in ’24, lost by five (5) to Sayre in the title game (27-22); 2-0 so far this year beating a 4A power and a Louisville 6A team to date
This may be the year of the Rams. Coach Salmons club lost in the finals to Sayre in ’24 by five (5) points (27-22); lost to Pikeville in the finals in ’22 and ’23, and to Pikeville again in the semis in ’21. Point is, the Rams have been historically knocking on the door. It may be time to knock down the door.
The Rams lost superstar defender, Lindon Sammons to graduation. Sammons led the club with 15-TFLs, nine (9) sacks, four (4) FFs, and five (5) FRs. Outside of Sammons, the roster is pretty intact.
Jacob Waller is a junior (’27). Waller threw for 1,500-yards and 11-TDs as a sophomore against four (4) picks and ran for another four (4) scores. So far this season, Waller is 10 for 18 for 237-yards and four (4) TDs against a lone INT.
Shannon Marushi (’26) returns, as does Landen Stiltner (’27), and Jonah Arnett. The trio gained over 1,500 yards rushing, together in ’24, and scored a combined 25-rushing TDs. So far this year, the trio have gained 285-yards rushing and scored four (4) TDs on the ground.
Marushi led the team in scoring in ’24 with 72 points and Jacob Waller was a reliable conversion on PATs (38) and scored 68-points himself with four (4) TDs rushing, the 38-PATs, and a pair of three pointers (FGs) on four (4) attempts. Arnett is leading the team in scoring with 24-points through two games and Waller is five (5) for five (5) in PATs and has converted the only FG attempt required of him.
Arnett led the team with 41-receptions while Bryson Rowsey (’26) and Parker Ison (’26) contributed 51-receptions between them and 5-TDs receiving. Through the first two games, Brigham Davidson (’27) has three (3) receptions for 96-yards and two (2) scores while Parker Ison (’26) has three (3) receptions for 54-yards. Bryson Rowsey (’26) has reeled in a pair of receptions with a TD and so has Eli Evans (’27).
In addition to offense, Arnett was a top defender. Arnett registered 76-tackles, nine (9) TFLs, a-FR, and three (3) picks in ’24. Jackson King (’27) has been a steady hand through the first two games with 10-stops, a TFL, and a sack. Bryson Rowsey (’26) is tied for the team lead with 10-stops and Brody Brumfield (’27) has nine (9) tackles, a TFL, and a sack. Arnett has a pick-six and Landyn Goodall has an interception he took back 24-yards.
Logan Lockwood hopes to replace Sammons as the Rams top defender in ’25. Lockwood is a ’26 prospect who had 80-tackles a year ago with eight (8) TFLs, seven (7) sacks, a FF, and a FR. Lockwood is a ’26. Lockwood is a stud and has contributed nine (9) stops and a TFL thus far.
Pikeville High Panthers
7-6 in ’24, lost 21-6 to Sayre in Lexington in the Regional title game; 1-1 so far this year losing to Christian Academy-Louisville (CAL, 3A) 45-7 in Louisville and then beating Cabell Midland (Ona), WV, 38-7 in Pikeville
Joseph Reynolds, ’27, is under center for the Panthers. He has completed 14 or his 24-passing attempts through the first two games for 126-yards. Reynolds has scored a rushing TD and posses a problem if permitted to break outside the defensive containment.
Jayden Justice has all the ear markings of a potential home-run threat in the offensive backfield. Mikey Hager (’26) is vying for KHSAA’s fastest man at the wide receiver post and is leading the receiving corps through the first two games. Hager is a guy who looks headed to the Ivy Leagues judging by his GPA and standardized scores. Hager is a football player.
Look out for ’28, Harrison Fields. Fellow sophomore, Gage Burgett, and he can burn.
Jayden Justice is leading the defense so far this season in tackles and TFLs. Keylan Mills (’26) has shown a penchant for the pass rush and registering QB-sacks. Mikey Hager has contributed mightily to the defense too from his DB post. It is unclear whether Hager figures to play offense or defense in college. What is clear is he will play at that level.
Analysis…
Any team coached by Chris Mcnamee is never out of a ball game or a title chase. The same can be said of Raceland’s Michael Salmons so both teams will be well prepared and drilled for success. Raceland has a better team, roster wise, this year and we have covered many years where that wasn’t true.
Raceland going to Paul Blazer and beating them with Blazer beating 6A Tates Creek in Lexington the very next week should tell you all you need to know about that ball club. Raceland is too tough this year.
KPGFootball’s editorial board picks Raceland by two touchdowns (14-points) right in Pikeville’s back yard.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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