Pikeville ran its winning streak to seven straight game and in the process captured the Class 1A, District 7 championship with a 52-7 win over bitter rival Hazard on Hall of Fame weekend at Hillard Howard Field on Friday night.
The Panthers, 7-2, are idle this week before beginning defense of their state title at home on Nov. 4. The opening round opponent will be announced.
Running back Blake Birchfield ran for 180 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries. Brenden Anthony added a rushing touchdown and Grant Scott caught a short TD pass from quarterback Isaac Duty.
Defensive standout Carson Wright returned an interception back 65 yards to cap the scoring for Pikeville.
Hazard’s only points came on Max Pelphrey’s 11-yard run late in the game.
At Pikeville
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
HZ (6-3)…..0 0 0 7 – 7
PK (7-2)…..7 24 21 0 – 51
Scoring:
First Quarter
PK – Blake Birchfield, 3-yard run (Jacob Rogers kick), :37
Second Quarter
PK – Brenden Anthony, 3-yard run (Jacob Rogers kick), 10:35
PK – Blake Birchfield, 10-yard run (Jacob Rogers kick), 7:10
PK – Blake Birchfield, 57-yard run (Jacob Rogers kick), 4:45
PK – Jacob Rogers, 25-yard field goal, :03
Third Quarter
PK – Blake Birchfield, 25-yard run (Jacob Rogers kick), 11:00
PK – Grant Scott, 2-yard pass from Isaac Duty (Jacob Rogers kick), 7:56
PK – Carson Wright, 65-yard INT (Jacob Rogers kick), 3:47
Fourth Quarter
HZ – Max Pelphrey, 11-yard run (Mia Rousse kick), 4:25
Next up: Pikeville (7-2) vs. TBD, Class 1A playoffs, Nov. 4.