 The Pikeville Panthers are two years removed from a class single A state football championship this time last year in 2017 the Panthers really didn't know what to expect as the Panthers were very young at every position Also factoring in one of the toughest schedules in class 1a of any program last season was looking to be a down year It was rocky at the beginning as the Panthers started out the gates with a record of one of four however Pikeville rebounded in mid-season and Overachieved as they advanced all the way to the state semi-final game as they lost in heartbreaking style off of a Walk-off field go to the rims of race 1 high school Well, we know that was a tough loss and you know you look at it throughout the season just ups and downs We started off 1 and 4 nobody thought we would would get that far and then you know Our kids just kept believing in themselves getting that far and and coming up as short as we did the way we did I think left left a little sting that maybe pushed him some in the in the weight room and in the offseason and in this Preseason as well. It was it was very bittersweet like it was horrible is that game But then again like that's what motivated this this whole offseason just in the weight room on the field Anytime we were doing any kind of work for for this upcoming season that was in our that was in the back of our heads You know we potentials never won a ball game And our guys know that we got to show up and work each day and and get better Everybody on the team is giving on a lot of hard work I mean just now we just now finished running Hills and the coaches had us run five We all wanted to senior stepped up We all wanted to run one more just because we know what it's going to take to get to become state champs with nearly the entire Team returning from one season ago The Panthers are looking to contend for a state championship Well, I think you know the at pinewood expectations are always higher community expects a lot out of these boys Our school does and coaching staff and and these boys expect a lot out of themselves. So we're You know excited to get the season started and expect to you know We've always got a tough beginning of the schedule and we feel like that helps prepare us for the playoffs and the district schedule So so we're just we're just looking forward to be in season middle put the pads on and go after just a little bit I think everybody's expectations are to win state I don't think we're gonna settle for anything less than that last year. We came up short We know what it feels like so we got to get back to further than we did last year being a part of the panther football program Goes along with it wearing the school pride across your chest and also playing for your community It's like no other around You know, I know people have a hard time believing that but you know being a single-a-school and being in a small community I think it's just something that I wish everybody could experience the the pride that our community has in our school You know and in just the relationship we have with people in the community the police departments the city fire department I think is unique To a town like Paco and and I'm extremely blessed of to call this home It's unbelievable everybody the support the community gives I mean, it's it's awesome