Pikeville High Quarterback Isaac McNamee tossed four touchdown passes and ran for two others to power the defending state champions past previously unbeaten Sayre, 49-13, in the opening round of the Class 1A playoffs at Hillard Howard Field on Friday night.
The victory sends the Panthers, now 6-2, up against Hazard (3-5) next Friday night in the District 7 championship game. Its Pikeville 19th consecutive trip.
McNamee finished 10-of-14 for 168 yards. He was picked off once. Receiver Zac Lockhart had three catches for 98 yards and two scores while Blake Birchfield and Brandon Lowe had a TD reception each. Birchfield, who rushed for 67 yards, also ran for a score.
McNamee rushed for 23 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Brayden Thomas, who came off the bench for injured back Nate Collins, had 70 yards on seven carries.
At Pikeville
(Class 1A playoffs)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
SY (8-1)…..6 0 0 7 – 13
PK (6-2)…13 15 14 7 – 49
Scoring:
First Quarter
PK – Brandon Lowe, 14-yard pass from Isaac McNamee (Trey Hancock kick), 8:59
SY – Caleb Kern, 7-yard run (kick blocked), 5:59
PK – Isaac McNamee, 1-yard run (kick failed), 1:14
Second Quarter
PK – Zac Lockhart, 21-yard pass from Isaac McNamee (Blake Birchfield run), 9:58
PK – Blake Birchfield, 20-yard pass from Isaac McNamee (Trey Hancock kick), 6:16
Third Quarter
PK – Blake Birchfield, 3-yard run (poor snap), 11:30
PK – Zac Lockhart, 43-yard pass from Isaac McNamee (Isaac McNamee run), 6:25
Fourth Quarter
PK – Isaac McNamee, 6-yard run (Trey Hancock kick), 11:22
SY – Cole Pennington, 1-yard run (Robert Farish kick)4:13
Next up: Pikeville (6-2) vs. Hazard (3-5), Nov. 27, TBA.