Pikeville began its quest for a second straight Class A state title with a 49-6 first-round win Friday over visiting Harlan.
The Panthers started a running clock with 36 unanswered points in the opening quarter. Pikeville started the scoring with a safety, then followed with five straight touchdowns, including a fumble recovery. Pikeville added another touchdown in the second quarter for a 43-0 lead, then added another in the third quarter.
Harlan put together its best drive of the night in the fourth period as Jeremiah Madden picked up three first downs to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Will Varner.
After a 34-0 loss last week at South Laurel that included three player ejections, Eric Perry stepped down as coach. Former Harlan standout linebacker Frank Shoope took over as coach earlier in the week on an interim basis.
The 9-2 Panthers play host to the Williamsburg/Hazard winner next week in the second round of the playoffs.
The Dragons ended the season with a record of 2-9.