LCA vs. Pikeville: Kroger KSR Game of the Week

The Pikeville Panthers travel to Lexington this Friday evening for a high-profile matchup against the LCA Eagles. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET in what will be the sixth Kroger KSR Game of the Week this year.

Here are some need-to-know facts about both squads.

LCA (Lexington Christian Academy)

KSR State Ranking: No. 4 (No. 2 — 2A)

Record: 5-0

State Championships: 1 (2009)

State Runner-Up: 2 (2020, 2007)

Last Season: 10-2 (Lost to Beechwood 24-23 in 2A title game)

Coach: Doug Charles

Key Players:

• Drew Nieves (QB): 23-40, 400 yards, five touchdowns, one interception (two games).
• Mason Moore (WR): 13 rec, 268 yards, three touchdowns — filled in at quarterback for two games — rushed for 368 yards, 34 attempts, four touchdowns.
• Xavier Brown (RB): 50 rushes, 385 yards, two touchdowns.

Pikeville

KSR State Ranking: No. 13 (No. 1 — 1A)

Record: 5-0

State Championships: 5 (2019, 2015, 1989, 1988, 1987)

State Runner-Up: 4 (2018, 1991, 1979, 1972)

Last Season: 6-3

Coach: Chris McNamee

Key Players:

• Isaac McNamee (QB): 47-70, 630, 10 touchdowns, two interceptions.
• Blake Birchfield (RB): 86 rushes, 705 yards, seven touchdowns.
• Zac Lockhart (WR): 26 rec, 352 yards, six touchdowns.

LCA vs. Pikeville Preview

The Panthers head to Lexington to continue their undefeated season this Friday against the No. 4 team in KSR’s Week Six rankings fresh off a 29-0 shutout against Belfry in the ARH Bowl. Pikeville quarterback Isaac McNamee threw for as many incompletions as he did touchdowns: three. Blake Birchfield, one of the top rushers in the state, averaged 7.5 yards per carry in their fifth-straight victory of 2021.

LCA stomped No. 18 Lexington Catholic in the Holy War 43-7 week five, solidifying the Eagles as the top-ranked team in the Lexington area. Quarterback Drew Nieves returned after a two-game hiatus, throwing for 219 yards and three scores. Mason Moore, a Miami (OH) commit, replaced Nieves at QB while he was out. He was set back out wide in his natural position against Lexington Catholic, hauling in seven receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown.

While both teams head into the Kroger KSR Game of the Week undefeated and ranked in the top-15, LCA has one thing that the Panthers don’t: a signature victory.

Don’t get me wrong. Pikeville has won against the No. 4 team in 1A (Paintsville) and they’ve handily defeated the rest of their opponents this year, but LCA’s victories are as impressive as any in the state: No. 23 Madison Central (21-12), No. 8 Boyle County (35-28), CAL (No. 2 – 3A, 37-14) and No. 18 Lexington Catholic (43-7). The victory over Boyle County gave the Rebels their first regular-season loss since 2017.

Pikeville will have a huge test on their hands Friday night against the Eagles. With both squads staking their claim as one of, if not the best team in their respective division — the winner will certainly be that much more confident in setting their sights for Kroger Field at the end of the year.

Predictions

Barkley’s Prediction: LCA 21, Pikeville 17

Troy’s Prediction: LCA 38, Pikeville 21

Who wins the Kroger @KySportsRadio Game of the Week?

— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) September 21, 2021

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