Needless to say, both communities are extremely pumped up about their teams’ run in the playoffs and feel they have the best team in the state. The great sport of football is dominating the talk at both high schools and around their respected towns.
The stands should be filled with red and black on Friday night and we will witness two very good high school football teams, but these two teams are a lot different in style.
While both teams have had a lot of success this season and have had their way with several teams on their schedules, the Redhounds will line up and run it down your throat while the Blackcats like to air it out as much as possible.
It will be the classic matchup of a top notch ground attack that sprinkles in the pass, against a top notch passing attack that will sprinkle in the run.
The Redhound defense will have its hands full covering the seemingly thousands of Blackcat receivers that will be streaking all over the field. The bad news is their 6'2 196 lb. senior quarterback is more than capable of hitting them in stride.
Michael Burchett is a true passing quarterback that has the ability to scramble for big yards. Burchett doesn't appear to have a favorite receiver as he likes to spread the wealth. During Prestonsburg's last outing, four different receivers caught touchdown passes. Burchett threw six of his 32 touchdowns of the season last week.
When the Blackcats go to the ground game, they turn to several kids including Josh Craynon. Craynon ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns last week.
I know the Redhounds have a solid team with several great athletes, but the Blackcats could, be the toughest team they have faced in a while. You can't play the game on paper, but if you could the undefeated Blackcats would come out on top.
I got a feeling we will see a competitive game with two proud teams playing their hearts out, but I'm sorry to say it looks like the "good guys" will come out on the short end of this one and Prestonsburg will eventually play for a state title.
The Blackcats win, 42-28.
