Veteran Pike County Central head football coach Eric Ratliff made it plan and simple when talking about his Hawks – “We must improve defensively, and we’ve put a lot of effort into doing just that this preseason.”
The Hawks are coming off a 3-8 season one year ago with a youthful football team.
“We have the majority of our team back and that year of experience is key,” Ratliff said.
Key returners for the Hawks include senior quarterback Tyler Hunt, linemen Nate Roberts and Tanner Hunt.
Central will open its season at the Hawks Nest against Prestonsburg on Aug. 23. Other home games include Perry Central (Sept. 13), Letcher Central (Sept. 20), Lawrence County (Oct. 11) and Belfry (Oct. 25).
Road games include a matchup in the 35th annual Pike County Bowl at Pikeville against Shelby Valley on Aug. 31. Others include Floyd Central (Sept. 27), Tug Valley, W.Va. (Oct. 4), Magoffin County (Oct. 18) and Breathitt County (Nov. 1).
Here is a look at the 2019 schedule:
Date Opponent Site
Aug. 23 Prestonsburg Home
Aug. 31 Shelby Valley Pike County Bowl
Sept. 6 Open
Sept. 13 Perry Central Home
Sept. 20 Letcher Central Home
Sept. 27 Floyd Central Away
Oct. 4 Tug Valley, WV Away
Oct. 11 Lawrence County Home
Oct. 18 Magoffin County Away
Oct. 25 Belfry Home
Nov. 1 Breathitt County Away