The eyes of Kentucky high school football were squarely focused on Paintsville’s Memorial Field Friday night as the Pikeville Panthers and Tigers renewed their rivalry that came down to a heart-stopping finish.
Pikeville placekicker Tanner Hamilton booted a 26-yard field with three minutes remaining in the third period to lift the Panthers to a 9-8 victory before a standing-room-only crowd.
Paintsville, which dominated time of possession and field position throughout the night, had two scoring chances late in the final period, including a 22-yard field goal attempt which sailed wide left.
Cody Raines, who scored on a three-yard touchdown run with 6:28 remaining in the opening period to give the Panthers (3-0) an early 6-0 lead, picked off a pass. Jon Collum also had one pick to halt the final Paintsville drive and preserve the win.
Paintsville, now 2-1, took an 8-6 halftime lead on John Walker Phelps’ five-yard touchdown run and quarterback Jake Hyden ran in the two-point conversion following a personal foul on the Panthers, with 3:03 left in the third quarter.
Hyden picked off an Isaac McNamee pass in the first half. It was Pikeville only turnover.
Both teams will return to action on Sept. 13 as Pikeville is home to face Raceland (2-1) while Paintsville welcomes East Jessamine (2-1). Kickoff for both is 7:30 p.m.
At Paintsville
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
PK (3-0)….6 0 3 0 – 9
PV (2-1)….0 8 0 0 – 8
Scoring:
First Quarter
PK – Cody Raines, 3-yard run (kick failed), 6:28
Second Quarter
PV – John Walker Phelps, 5-yard run (Jake Hyden run), 3:03
Third Quarter
PK – Tanner Hamilton, 26-yard field goal, 3:00
Fourth Quarter
No scoring
Next up: Pikeville (3-0) vs. Raceland (2-1); Paintsville (2-1) vs. East Jessamine (2-1), 7:30 p.m., Sept. 13.