PIKEVILLE — Pikeville used a series of big plays in all three phases to take control early and defeat Williamsburg, 56-18, in Friday’s Class A second-round playoff matchup.
The Panthers struck immediately when Cayden Newsome returned the opening kickoff more than 55 yards for a touchdown with 11:43 remaining in the first quarter. Steven Gonzalez-Santes added the extra point to give Pikeville a 7-0 lead.
Williamsburg responded quickly, capitalizing on a personal foul penalty and connecting on a long touchdown pass from Reece Hatcher to Peyton Hamilton at the 10:55 mark.
The two-point conversion attempt was intercepted by Harrison Fields, leaving the Yellow Jackets trailing 7-6.
Pikeville pushed its lead to 14-6 late in the first quarter after a sustained drive ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Jayden Justice at the 3:29 mark.
The Panthers extended their advantage further in the second quarter behind a strong passing performance from quarterback JJ Reynolds.
Reynolds connected with Fields on a 22-yard touchdown at the 11:46 mark to make it 21-6.
The pair struck again minutes later, this time for a 47-yard score that pushed the margin to 28-6 with 7:45 remaining in the half.
Williamsburg added a late touchdown with 47 seconds left in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 28-12 at halftime.
Pikeville put the game out of reach early in the third quarter.
Justice broke free for a 26-yard touchdown run at the 11:02 mark, increasing the lead to 35-12. Reynolds followed with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Cole Slone, and moments later connected with Mikey Hager for a 41-yard score to make it 49-12 with 7:20 left in the period.
Fields added his third touchdown of the game on a 65-yard run with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter, extending Pikeville’s lead to 56-12.
Williamsburg added a touchdown in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 56-18.
The loss ends Williamsburg’s season at 6-5.
