Brenden Anthony put on a performance for the ages while the Pikeville defense put up a brick wall as the Panthers defeated the Raceland Rams, 21-0, on Friday at Kroger Field in Lexington.
Anthony had the best rushing performance for a player from the mountains since Belfry’s Isaac Dixon’s record breaking performance in 2021. Anthony had 237 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 carries. He also had a touchdown pass to lead the Pikeville (12-2) offense.
Anthony got his first score of the game on a 58-yard run in the opening quarter. Keyton Looney’s PAT kick made the score 7-0.
Raceland (11-4) had a chance to tie the score up, but Pikeville’s Sam Wright picked off a pass in the end zone to preserve the lead. The Panther defense held strong as Pikeville held a 7-0 lead at the intermission.
Anthony came calling again late in the third period as he rumbled 61 yards for the score. Looney’s kick increased the lead to 14-0.
Anthony put the game on ice in the final minutes as he showed off his arm, throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to make it a 21-0 final.
With the win, the Panthers also avenged a 7-6 loss to the Rams earlier this season. Pikeville’s defense held a Raceland offense that averages 31 points per game to 7 points over two games, including the shutout in the championship.
Tayvian Boykins also carried the ball 2 times for 11 yards. Isaac Duty completed 2-of-7 passes for 11 yards.
Hall caught Anthony’s only pass for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Pikeville’s defense was remarkable as Raceland only accumulated 177 yards and included interceptions from Wright and Westin Bevins.
This is the second consecutive season that Pikeville has beaten Raceland in the title game. The Panthers have now won 8 state titles, continuing their dominance not just in the mountains but in the Bluegrass.
Photos Courtesy of Kentucky.com and BSN
