Unwired Appalachia

We’re wrapping up the football previews on Unwired Appalachia with a special look at one of Eastern Kentucky’s biggest high school football traditions — the 41st Annual Community Trust Bank WYMT Pike County Bowl.
Randy is joined by Community Trust Bank Pikeville Market President Brett Keene to talk about everything that goes into making the Pike County Bowl happen each year. Keene takes Randy behind the scenes of the event, including the committee responsible for selecting the matchups, organizing the weekend and bringing schools and communities together for two nights of football.
The two also break down all four games on this year’s schedule. Friday night at Belfry features Pike Central vs. Martin County at 6:05 p.m., followed by Louisville Central vs. Belfry at 8 p.m. Saturday, the action moves to Pikeville with Phelps vs. Shelby Valley at 6:05 p.m. before Prestonsburg vs. Pikeville closes out the weekend at 8:35 p.m.
That finale brings some extra history with it as Pikeville and Prestonsburg renew their rivalry after a 10-year break, providing a fitting finish to the 41st Annual Pike County Bowl.
From how the Bowl comes together behind the scenes to all four matchups taking center stage this weekend, join Randy and Brett for a complete preview of the 41st Annual Pike County Bowl.
Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/RoXpQ8G3Spo

Randy is back with Week 2 of the Unwired Appalachia Weekly Walkthrough, and this time there’s even more football to cover as West Virginia and college football join the action.
Things get started Thursday night across the state line as Mingo Central takes on cross-town rival Tug Valley, bringing one of the area’s local rivalries to center stage. College football also gets underway as UPIKE opens its 2026 season on the road in Arkansas, giving Bears fans their first look at this year’s squad.
Then it’s all about high school football Friday and Saturday as the 41st Annual Pike County Bowl takes over Pike County. Randy runs through the weekend’s Bowl matchups, including Pike Central vs. Martin County, Louisville Central vs. Belfry, Phelps vs. Shelby Valley, and a renewed rivalry between Prestonsburg and Pikeville to close out the weekend.
From rivalry games in West Virginia and UPIKE hitting the road to one of Eastern Kentucky’s biggest high school football weekends, Randy has you covered with the games and storylines to watch in Week 2.
Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/AI_CpLB5Jo4

We’re changing gears from high school to college football on Unwired Appalachia as Randy sits down with UPIKE head football coach Corey Fipps and senior tight end Grant Scott to preview the upcoming season for the Bears.
Coach Fipps and Scott break down how the Bears have prepared throughout the offseason, what they’ve seen from the team leading up to kickoff, and the expectations surrounding UPIKE football in 2026. The conversation also gives both a coach’s and player’s perspective on the work that goes into preparing for a college football season and what they hope to accomplish on the field this fall.
But this episode goes beyond football. Randy also talks with Fipps and Scott about the Bears’ involvement in the community and the importance of UPIKE football players using their platform to give back to the people and communities that support them.
From what to expect on the field to the impact the Bears are making away from it, get ready for the 2026 UPIKE football season with Coach Fipps and Grant Scott.
Click here to watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/qSWA0jtZ8Ao

The final high school football preview of the season is here on Unwired Appalachia, and Randy heads across the state line to West Virginia to close things out with Mingo Central head football coach David Jones.
Heading into his fourth season at the helm of the Miners, Coach Jones sits down with Randy to break down where the Mingo Central program stands entering 2026. The two discuss how the offseason has gone, the work the Miners have put in throughout the summer, and how the team is coming together as kickoff approaches.
Coach Jones also gives his thoughts on this year's roster, the players expected to step into bigger roles, and what he wants to see from the Miners as they navigate the upcoming season.
With three years leading the program behind him, Jones also reflects on the growth of Mingo Central football and what the Miners hope to accomplish in year four.
Join us as we wrap up the Unwired Appalachia high school football previews with a trip to Miner Mountain and a look ahead at Mingo Central's 2026 season.
Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/KEPVPIGlp4Y

We’re jumping back into football this Friday on Unwired Appalachia as Randy sits down with first-year Hazard head football coach Jordan Amis to take a closer look at the Bulldogs heading into the 2026 season.
Coach Amis talks about how the offseason has gone as he prepares for his first year leading the Hazard program, what he’s seen from his players throughout the summer, and how the Bulldogs have responded as they get ready for a new season.
Randy and Coach Amis also discuss what he hopes to establish within the program during year one, the expectations surrounding Hazard football, and what Bulldog fans can expect to see when the team takes the field this fall.
With a new head coach and a new season getting underway, get an inside look at the next chapter of Hazard football and hear directly from Coach Amis about his goals for the Bulldogs in 2026.
Watch the full episode on Youtube:https://youtu.be/af-sM8830u0

We're switching gears this Wednesday on Unwired Appalachia. With volleyball season getting underway, Randy takes a break from the football previews and sits down with Shelby Valley head volleyball coach Misty Riddle and Wildcats player Miley Riddle.
The two look back at a historic 2025 season for Shelby Valley volleyball. The Wildcats captured the 15th Region All "A" Classic championship before going on to make even more history by winning the first 15th Region volleyball championship in school history.
Misty and Miley talk about what went into that championship run, what it meant to the players and the Shelby Valley program, and how last year's success has helped set the expectations for a new season.
With the 2026 season opening this week, Randy also gets their thoughts on this year's Wildcats, how the team has prepared throughout the offseason, and what Shelby Valley will need to do to build on one of the best seasons in program history.
Take a break from football and join us for a look at one of the top volleyball programs in the 15th Region as a new season gets underway.
 
Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/0zJNrHohc8I

Keeping the football previews in Johnson County, Randy sits down with Paintsville head football coach Brian Melvin as he prepares for his second season leading the Tigers.
Coach Melvin looks back at what he learned during his first year at the helm and how those experiences have helped shape the program heading into 2026. Randy and Coach Melvin discuss the work the Tigers have put in throughout the offseason, the progress they've made over the summer, and how the team is coming together as kickoff approaches.
The two also take a closer look at the returning players, some of the Tigers stepping into bigger roles, and what Paintsville will need to do to compete throughout the upcoming season.
With year two about to begin, hear directly from Coach Melvin about where the Paintsville program stands, what he's seen from his team this offseason, and what Tigers fans can expect on Friday nights this fall.
Watch the full Unwired Appalachia episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/Voe5WXDreg0

The football previews keep rolling on Unwired Appalachia as Randy turns his attention to Johnson Central and sits down with Golden Eagles head football coach Jesse Peck, who is heading into his fifth season leading the program.
Coach Peck takes a look at how the Golden Eagles have developed throughout the offseason, the work his players have put in over the summer, and where the team stands as kickoff approaches. Randy and Coach Peck also discuss the experience returning to this year's roster, the players stepping into bigger roles, and what Johnson Central will need to do to be successful in 2026.
Heading into year five, Peck also reflects on how the program has continued to develop under his leadership and the expectations that come with putting on a Johnson Central uniform.
Get an inside look at the Golden Eagles as Randy and Coach Peck break down the offseason and preview another year of Johnson Central football.
Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/5iO8rY2A9gI

The football previews keep rolling on Unwired Appalachia as Randy wraps up the teams featured in the 41st Annual Pike County Bowl with Phelps Hornets coaches Zack Francis and Dominick Francis.
Randy sits down with the two Phelps coaches to talk about what it has been like to grow up playing for the Hornets and eventually return to coach the program. The conversation takes a look at their journey through Phelps football, what the 2026 season looks like for the Hornets, and the challenges that come with building a successful program at a smaller school.
The group also discusses one of the biggest challenges facing small-school football: numbers. With smaller rosters, every player matters, and Randy, Zack and Dominick talk about how teams like Phelps manage personnel, find ways to compete and get the most out of the players they have.
As the 41st Annual Pike County Bowl approaches, get an inside look at the Phelps Hornets and hear from the coaches about their program, their players and what they expect to see on the field this season.
Watch the full episode on Youtube here:https://youtu.be/qN0uAZFpL1Y

The football previews keep rolling on Unwired Appalachia as Randy sits down with Prestonsburg head coach Wes Hager to break down the Blackcats’ upcoming 2026 season.
Coach Hager reflects on his first two years leading the program, the challenges of building a culture, and the progress Prestonsburg has made. He also shares what fans can expect this season, including the team’s strengths, areas of growth, and overall mindset heading into the year.
The conversation also dives into one of the more unique aspects of his journey — coaching alongside his father — and how that experience has shaped both him and the program.
If you follow Prestonsburg football or Kentucky high school football, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/MDlSJ6ljb1o