[Bull got out!]

Russell will travel to ashland this Friday.

Russell (0-7)
Aug 19, 22 Boone County home (L) 18 - 20 
Aug 27, 22 Raceland away (L) 14 - 53 
Sep 2, 22 Wheelersburg, OH home (L) 21 - 28 
Sep 9, 22 Lawrence County home (L) 10 - 50 
Sep 16, 22 Montgomery County away (L) 17 - 21 
Sep 23, 22 Paul Laurence Dunbar home (L) 14 - 21 
Oct 7, 22 Greenup County home (L) 27 - 28


Ashland Blazer (4-4)
Aug 20, 22 Raceland at Wheelersburg, OH (L) 7 - 34
Aug 26, 22 Boyd County home (W) 22 - 8 
Sep 2, 22 George Washington (Charleston), WV away (L) 14 - 21
Sep 9, 22 Wheelersburg, OH home (L) 7 - 49 
Sep 16, 22 West Jessamine away (W) 69 - 63 
Sep 23, 22 Hazard away (L) 7 - 14 
Oct 1, 22 Elizabethtown home (W) 27 - 25 
Oct 7, 22 East Carter home (W) 35 - 21


Series Per KHSAA
Sep 4, 1998 Russell 28 Ashland Blazer 24
Sep 3, 1999 Ashland Blazer 21 Russell 14 (Overtime)
Sep 1, 2000 Russell 28 Ashland Blazer 12
Aug 31, 2001 Russell 28 Ashland Blazer 27
Sep 6, 2002 Ashland Blazer 28 Russell 19
Sep 5, 2003 Ashland Blazer 33 Russell 14
Sep 3, 2004 Russell 28 Ashland Blazer 14
Sep 2, 2005 Russell 21 Ashland Blazer 13
Sep 2, 2006 Ashland Blazer 24 Russell 21 (triple overtime)
Sep 14, 2007 Russell 28 Ashland Blazer 20
Sep 19, 2008 Ashland Blazer 36 Russell 10
Sep 11, 2009 Ashland Blazer 28 Russell 7
Sep 10, 2010 Ashland Blazer 61 Russell 7
Sep 9, 2011 Ashland Blazer 32 Russell 14
Sep 7, 2012 Ashland Blazer 47 Russell 7
Sep 13, 2013 Ashland Blazer 7 Russell 6
Sep 12, 2014 Russell 29 Ashland Blazer 27 (overtime)
Sep 11, 2015 Ashland Blazer 49 Russell 23
Sep 9, 2016 Ashland Blazer 8 Russell 7
Sep 8, 2017 Ashland Blazer 30 Russell 14
Sep 7, 2018 Ashland Blazer 41 Russell 0
Oct 18, 2019 Ashland Blazer 21 Russell 14
Nov 15, 2019 Ashland Blazer 33 Russell 14 2019 Class 3A 2019 UK Orthopaedics/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl
Oct 16, 2020 Ashland Blazer 41 Russell 7
Nov 27, 2020 Ashland Blazer 10 Russell 7 2020 Class 3A 2020 UK Orthopaedics State Football Finals
Oct 15, 2021 Russell 17 Ashland Blazer 14
Nov 5, 2021 Ashland Blazer 52 Russell 42 2021 Class 3A 2021 UK Orthopaedics State Football Finals


https://scoreboard.12dt.com/scoreboard/k...477a513d3d

Thoughts?

[16thregioner]

My initial thought was Ashland by 14. That’s because Russell is 0-7 and you’d think they might be ready to get out the basketballs at this point. Not so fast, though. Russell, even though they’ve lost 5 heartbreaking games by single digits, hasn’t showed any signs of quitting yet and given this rivalry, I don’t think the Devils mail this one in. A win here could make up for all of their other 7 losses.

Ashland has more players than Russell so that will be a problem for the Devils. Fresh bodies on both sides of the ball will wear on them as the game goes on. Russell has the stronger line, though, so if they can play straight ahead ball control offense with a downfield pass to Patrick mixed in every few plays, Russell could present some problems for Ashland. Russell needs to shorten the game.

Ashland seems to have found an identity on offense and that identity is balance. They’ve done a good job the past few games of mixing up Jennings, Thomas, and Strader runs with both the short and long passing games to Houston, Jordan, and Adkins. One problem the Tomcats may face this week, though, is the loss of their kicker. The paper said their field goal kicker is done for the season as he’s having shoulder surgery this week. Russell, of course, has the area’s best kicker in Totten so this is a huge advantage for the Devils in what could be a game decided by extra points.

I look for Ashland to win the game, but it’s going to be closer than what paper would indicate. I think Russell will come out fighting because a blowout loss here could drive a stake through the Russell football program’s heart in many different ways as orange vultures could be circling. Ashland, on the other hand, could propel themselves into what could be a deep playoff run with a good performance. It sure appears these are programs headed in opposite directions but I think the rivalry keeps it close.

[Orange Blaze]

Both of these programs struggled early in the season but have responded differently. Ashland has had a tough schedule and could easily be 0-7 as well but they have made adjustments and found ways to win. Russell on the other hand has had chances to win several games but hasn’t been able to get it done. Outside of the blowout losses to Raceland and LC Russell has had opportunities to win the rest of their games and probably should have won at least 2 but just can’t seem to get out of their own way.

Ashland seems to be playing more inspired right now and are looking for a district title while Russell’s season is all but over. As 16thregioner said, this is a rivalry game and Russell may have more fire in this one but I don’t know if that’s enough to get that first win. Ashland has proven they can win this year and for that reason l’ll take the Tomcats putting it away late.

Ashland 28
Russell 14

[Scotty_Bronson]

Russell lost me on Friday night. They are grasping at straws and have zero depth. Ashland by 3 scores

[RAMDAD50]

Two different teams heading in two different directions. Assland opens a can of whoop ass on the dead devils

[Slic Ric]

Ashland 28
Russell 24

[64SUR]

Long night for Russell

Ashland 35
Russell 07

[GOREDDEVILS]

0-0 after 1 quarter

[Orange Blaze]

Russell has one of the best kickers in the state and I can’t understand why they wouldn’t take the 3 points inside the 30.

[RAMDAD50]

Watching this one on mytown. I’ve never seen Russell have so many empty seats and players on the sidelines

[GOREDDEVILS]

7-0 Ashland 5:20 2nd quarter

[RAMDAD50]

I think when Assland lines up for the first game next year everyone is gonna say …..wow!! What a transformation in one short year !

[GOREDDEVILS]

7-0 Ashland at the half.

[GOREDDEVILS]

Nathan Totten with interception and score and makes the extra point to tie 7-7.

[GOREDDEVILS]

4:46 3rd

[GOREDDEVILS]

14-7 Ashland on long pass td. 3:34 3rd

[GOREDDEVILS]

14-7 Ashland after 3.

[GOREDDEVILS]

20-7 Ashland 10:34 4th.

[GOREDDEVILS]

20-14 Ashland 6:12 4th.

[GOREDDEVILS]

20-14 Ashland Final.

[Orange Blaze]

Russell just can’t find a way to win this year.

[16thregioner]

Not pinning the Russell loss on any one player, but it sure doesn’t help that their would be starting QB and alternate WR threat are both wearing orange this season. Even though I don’t agree with it, It makes one see why they’ve dropped the Rams from their schedule. Those were critical transfers for Russell to lose. A year like this could make even more players depart for Raceland. Tenuous times on Red Devil Hill.

As for Ashland, they’ve steadily improved this season. The Greenup game for the district title will be close. This is nowhere near a top level Ashland team, but their level is sufficient enough for this year. The Tomcats have a chance to advance a good bit in the playoffs.

[ROTC]

Russell needs a “re-boot” of the BRAND!

[Runrunrun]

Super proud of the effort the Russell kids gave tonight they have not packed it in. 6 of the 8 losses have come down to the final possession, I’ve never seen a team more snakebit

[ROTC]

Reading this is like watching CNN denying: gas prices, recession, crime, open borders, and the laptop!

[Scotty_Bronson]

Russell cant get out of their own way this year. Anofher tough one. Kids have bounced between Racelans and Russell for years. Lundy has been there for 3 years now, good lord get over it.

[16thregioner]

Russell cant get out of their own way this year. Anofher tough one. Kids have bounced between Racelans and Russell for years. Lundy has been there for 3 years now, good lord get over it.

In all sports anymore, there are 2 games being played.  The competition you see on the field and the conversations between players, parents, coaches, and administrators off the field deciding where players want to play.  The results of the on-the-field game are often decided years in advance by the off-the-field game.  Russell hasn’t played the off-the-field game very well.  Raceland has.  The results are showing up in the on-the-field game.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Thats nail on the head!!!