MIDDLESBORO — Survive and and advance is the name of the game this time of year, and Larry French’s Middlesboro Yellow Jackets did just that, remaining unbeaten at 11-0, while slipping past Hazard, 44-36, during second round action of the Class A playoffs.
Middlesboro jumped out to an 8-0 lead, and the game was nip and tuck the rest of the way.
The Yellow Jackets will now hit the road in regional title game action next week to play Pikeville.
The two teams have played nine times with the Panthers winning the last three matchups while holding a 6-3 edge overall.
The last time Middlesboro defeated Pikeville was during the playoffs in 2002. The Yellow Jackets won, 25-13.
