PIKEVILLE — A spot in the Class A state semifinals is on the line Friday when the undefeated Middlesboro Yellow Jackets (11-0) travel to Howard Field to battle the surging Pikeville Panthers (9-3) in the Region 4 championship — a showdown between two of Eastern Kentucky’s most storied small-school programs.
The matchup is tight statistically and historically.
Pikeville narrowly holds the higher RPI (.72068 to Middlesboro’s .72049) and leads the all-time series 6-3, including three straight wins. Their last meeting came in 2022, when the Panthers earned a 34-14 victory.
Yellow Jackets Flying High Behind Explosive Offense
Middlesboro enters with one of the state’s most potent Class A offenses, averaging 43.8 points per game while allowing just 15.7 points per contest.
The Yellow Jackets have been dominant throughout their 11-game win streak, including a 56-6 rout of Harlan in the playoff opener and a 44-36 thriller over Hazard in last week’s second round.
Quarterback Deakon Partin has emerged as one of Kentucky’s top playmakers, throwing for 2,195 yards and 29 touchdowns with only two interceptions in 177 attempts. He has also added five rushing scores.
The backfield is anchored by Caden Lawson, who leads Middlesboro with 835 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while also being a factor in the passing game (11 receptions, 150 yards, two TDs). Colby Lawson, Jacob Tinnell, and Malachi Coots round out a deep rushing unit that has combined for over 1,700 yards.
The Jackets feature a dangerous trio of receivers.
• Joseph Killion: 32 receptions, 693 yards, 10 TDs
• Amari Houston: 22 receptions, 518 yards, 10 TDs
• Mekhi Young: 32 receptions, 483 yards, 6 TDs
Defensively, Middlesboro has forced 25 turnovers, including 14 interceptions. Houston leads with four picks, while Coots has three fumble recoveries.
Colby Lawson anchors the defense with 76 tackles and two sacks, while Coots and Cameron Mosley also provide pressure.
Panthers Bring Championship Pedigree and Momentum
After an uncharacteristic 2-3 start, Pikeville has caught fire with seven straight wins, including a 56-18 dismantling of Williamsburg in last week’s second round. Pikeville’s losses have come against elite competition — CAL, Johnson Central, and Belfry.
Quarterback JJ Reynolds has been steady and efficient, throwing for 1,698 yards and 23 touchdowns, along with 110 rushing yards and three scores.
Pikeville’s run game is powered by Jayden Justice, who enters with 834 rushing yards and 11 TDs, while Jeremiah Anderson and Harrison Fields round out the ground attack.
Through the air, Pikeville features another potent group of weapons:
• Mikey Hager: 51 catches, 668 yards, 10 TDs
• Harrison Fields: 35 catches, 412 yards, 7 TDs
• Cole Slone: 26 receptions, 374 yards, 3 TDs
Special teams also tilt in Pikeville’s favor. Kicker Steven Gonzalez-Santes is perfect on 47-of-47 PATs and is 4-of-7 on field goals, giving the Panthers a reliable scoring option that few Class A teams possess.
Defensively, Pikeville has forced 20 turnovers, including 12 interceptions. Slone and Fields lead the way with three interceptions each, while Justice and Quentin Warren have two fumble recoveries apiece. Kylan Mills has delivered five of Pikeville’s 12 sacks, and Anderson anchors the defense with a team-high 124 tackles.
