The Sayre (Lexington, KY) varsity football team will host Pikeville (KY) for a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Kentucky High School Football Playoff Brackets in the KHSAA Class 1A tournament.
What: Kentucky High School Football
Who: Sayre (KY) vs Pikeville (KY)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Kentucky High School Football Playoff Brackets: KHSAA – Class 1A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Pikeville vs. Sayre: A Comparison of Two Kentucky Teams
In the world of Kentucky high school football, the matchup between Pikeville and Sayre stands out as a clash of contrasting records, styles, and team statistics. Here’s a closer look at the two teams heading into their next showdown, with a breakdown of their overall performance, strengths, and key players.
Team Performance Overview
Pikeville has had a mixed season with an overall record of 7-5-1. However, the team has shown resilience in district play, maintaining an undefeated 2-0 district record. Pikeville’s overall win percentage stands at .577, with a solid showing both at home (3-3) and away (3-1-1). Their overall scoring average is 26.5 points per game, but the team has had challenges in maintaining consistency throughout the four quarters. Notably, Pikeville averages just 8.5 points in the first quarter, a slow start that has often set the tone for their games.
In stark contrast, Sayre has been nearly perfect throughout the season, boasting a perfect 12-0 record. Their dominance is reflected across the board with a 1.000 district win percentage, including an undefeated 7-0 road record. Sayre averages a remarkable 47.1 points per game, with their scoring concentrated heavily in the first half, where they average 31.8 points. The team’s balanced attack and ability to score quickly have made them a formidable opponent.
Scoring Averages: A Tale of Two Teams
The scoring statistics paint a clear picture of the difference in offensive output between the two teams. Pikeville, with an average of 26.5 points per game, struggles to keep pace with Sayre’s 47.1 points per game. Sayre’s offense is explosive, particularly in the first half, where they average nearly 32 points. By contrast, Pikeville’s offense is slower, scoring just 8.5 points in the opening quarter and 6.8 points in the final period, making it difficult for them to catch up if they fall behind.
Team Stat Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses
In terms of overall yardage, Pikeville averages just 77.1 total yards per game, a relatively low figure that reflects their struggles to gain significant yards. They’ve been limited in both the rushing and passing game, averaging just 31.2 rushing yards and 45.9 passing yards per game. On the defensive side, Pikeville manages 13.6 tackles per game but is less effective in terms of sacks, averaging only 0.2 per game.
Sayre, by comparison, has a more robust offensive presence, particularly in the passing game, where they average 183.7 yards per game. The team’s balanced offensive attack has allowed them to gain 565 total points throughout the season, thanks to a high-efficiency offense. Sayre’s defense has also been impressive, maintaining a low points allowed average of just 53 points on the season, which speaks to their dominance in both the run and pass defense.
Key Players
Pikeville’s key players have been standout performers in their respective positions. Senior Charlie Slabaugh leads the team in rushing, with an average of 81.5 yards per game. He also tops the team in tackles, with 9.0 per game. Brock Coffman, another key player, is the team’s leading receiver, with an average of 92.3 yards per game, contributing significantly to Pikeville’s offensive output.
Sayre’s top performers include quarterback Luke Pennington, who has been outstanding both in passing yards and total yards, averaging 183.7 and 189.7 yards per game, respectively. Pennington’s passing game has been complemented by the receiving skills of standout players like Brock Coffman, who averages 10 points per game.
Record Breakdown: Home vs. Away
Both teams have excelled in their home games, but Sayre’s undefeated away record stands out. With a perfect 7-0 road record, they have proven themselves able to perform under pressure, no matter the venue. Pikeville, meanwhile, has been somewhat inconsistent on the road, with a 3-3 record and a 3-1-1 neutral site record.
The playoff picture further highlights the disparity between the two programs, with Pikeville having a more balanced playoff record (2-0) and Sayre continuing their unbeaten streak in the postseason (2-0).
Conclusion
In this matchup, Sayre enters as the clear favorite, backed by an undefeated record and dominant offensive and defensive performances. Pikeville, while showing resilience in district play, will need to overcome their slow starts and find a way to score efficiently throughout the game to compete with Sayre’s potent offense. As both teams gear up for this clash, all eyes will be on how Pikeville plans to disrupt Sayre’s winning streak and turn the game into a more competitive affair.
