Here is a look back at the top Mountain Top Sports stories during 2021:
No. 1
September 28, 2021
Legendary JC football coach passes from COVID complications
Condolences from around the Bluegrass and surrounding states poured in following the sudden death of legendary Johnson Central head football coach Jim Matney on Tuesday. He had been hospitalized for several weeks battling COVID-19-related issues.
The coach was hospitalized shortly after the Golden Eagles football game with Henry Clay played on Aug. 20, a dominating 60-21 victory, at Three Rivers Medical Center in Louisa before being transferred to Cabell-Huntington Hospital.
He was 62 years old.
No. 2
December 3, 2021
Dixon runs wild as Belfry stun Paducah-Tilghman to claim eighth state title
In what was legendary head coach Philip Haywood’s most gratifying win, Belfry stormed back in the second half to score a stunning 33-28 victory over Paducah-Tilghman, claiming the school’s eighth championship and sixth in the past nine years in the Class 3A title game played on the turf at Kroger Field on Saturday..
The Blue Tornado had no answer in trying to contain Belfry’s electrifying running back Isaac Dixon. He rushed for five touchdowns, including the game-winner on fourth down and seven, racing 62-yards with under five minutes to play.
Dixon carried the football 41 times for 376 yards.
The win capped off a season which saw the state champions dropped their first five games, the worst start since 1947, before winning nine of their final 10.
No. 3
December 2, 2021
The Crown Fits: Panthers hold off Russellville to win sixth state title
Pikeville head coach Chris McNamee talked about how much his team’s difficult schedule paid off in the end Friday afternoon in the team’s heart stopping 30-27 state championship game win over Russellville in the Class 1A matchup at Kroger Field.
“Our schedule, playing against some very good teams, helped us to survive today,” the veteran coach said following the school’s sixth title win. “That was an outstanding team, and we knew they had talent and speed.”
The Panthers, who finished 14-2, stopped Russellville on their final drive and then Blake Birchfield’s short first-down run milked the clock.
The game’s most valuable player rushed for 179 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns on 30 carries.
McNamee joined legendary coach Hillard Howard with three championships as a coach.
No. 4
March 27, 2021
Overtime win sends Tigers back to Rupp
Paintsville’s Jaxon Watt had played all of regulation and all of overtime without scoring a single point.
His third attempt at a put-back went in just ahead of the final buzzer in the extra period to send the Tigers back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008, beating bitter cross-town rival Johnson Central, 48-46, in the 15th Region championship game played at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Saturday night.
Colby Fugate finished with a game-high 26 points, including the first 15 of the second half. Baron Ratliff added nine.
No. 5
December 15, 2021
Kentucky Football Coaches Association names Belfry running back Isaac Dixon as its Mr. Football
Belfry High School running back Isaac Dixon was named Mr. Football by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.
Dixon, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior, ranked third in the state with 1,986 rushing yards and rushed for 29 touchdowns on 196 carries (10.1 yards per carry). He also caught three passes — all touchdowns — for 184 yards.
Defensively, Dixon had 46 tackles (33 solo) and a team-best four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
He capped his stellar season with 376 yards and five touchdowns in a 33-28 victory over Paducah Tilghman in the Class 3A championship game.
No. 6
March 20, 2021
Pikeville 3-Peats as champions
The Pikeville Lady Panthers headed back to Rupp Arena as 15th Region tournament champions for a third consecutive year.
The Lady Panthers held Johnson Central scoreless for a nine-minute stretch, including the entire third period, earning a 48-35 win in a game played at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Monday night.
Pikeville improved to a region best 25-5. The Lady Panthers have now won 19 of their last 20 games. The Lady Eagles saw their season end at 22-5.
Trinity Rowe led the Lady Panthers with 15 points while Kenzie Maynard added 11 and Emma Ratliff tossed in nine.
No. 7
May 8, 2021
Championship 108 years in the making
For the first time in 108 years, the Man Hillbillies won the Class A state basketball championship over Pendleton County.
The Hillbillies closed the game on an 11-0 run in the 43-36 win, snapping the Wildcats’ 40-game winning streak.
Man’s Austin Ball led all scorers with 20 points.
OTHER TOP HEADLINES:
Tug Valley Lady Panthers win first state basketball title
Golden Eagles fall to Rebels in title game
Floyd Central claims 15th Region volleyball tournament championship
UPIKE names Phipps new head football coach
Peck promoted to JC’s new head coach
Johnson Central Lady Eagles softball headed to state tournament
Johnson Central wins 15th Region baseball crown
Lawrence County beats Prestonsburg in boys’ soccer title match
Johnson Central beats Prestonsburg to claim girls’ 15th Region soccer crown