[DevilWatcher]

After a successful year in 2014 the Devils return many starters. Hardest to replace will be Korzep, Arnold, and Suman. Not that the other seniors didn't impact the team but I believe the 3 I listed have raised the bar on the defensive side of the ball. Thoughts?

[samson81]

Outgoing Senior Starters/Significant Contributors:
#5 Bobby May DB/WR
#8 Garon Robinson WR
#24 Will Peterman DB
#39 Bronson Korzep RB/LB/P
#50 Timmy Hammond OL/DL
#52 Logan Suman OL/DL
#59 Landon Arnold OL/LB
#69 Brandon Scott OL

Returning Starters/Significant Contributors:
#1 Evan Ison LB
#3 Jacob McKee QB/DB
#4 Nick Conley RB/DB
#6 Kurtis Miller K
#10 Spencer Cole RB/DB
#18 Landon Brewer WR/DB
#37 Austin Brinkman WR/DB
#53 Conner Slone OL/LB/DE
#63 Mitch Redden DL
#70 John Montanez OL/DL
#77 Jacob Pierce DL
#79 Daniel Mell OL

Some other returnees that are slightly less proven than those mentioned above include: Jacob Howard, Jacob Martin, Maxx Blackburn, C.J. Brandenburg, Nick Pennington, Sammy Smith*, & Alex Adams among others.

* What is Sammy's status? Did he never fully recover from his injury(shoulder, I think)?

[DevilWatcher]

I haven't heard anything about Sammy's status but if he is healed by next year it would really be huge for the Devils. He could fill the gap left by Hammond. Pierce could be a nice replacement for Suman at DE. Really there are a lot of kids that can step up.

[samson81]

Their DL should be a strength of the team. Both tackles return to anchor the unit. If Pierce hits the weights hard and fills out his frame, he has loads of potential.

LBer's are a question mark. Ison should be very strong after playing a year with Korzep and Arnold, but who else steps up to fill those graduation losses? Will depth on the DL allow Slone to play some LB? What does everyone think about Ryan Stump taking a huge step next year?

Secondary looks to be in good shape. Peterman and May played well this year and their leadership will be missed, but I really like the pieces coming back. I think they have plenty of depth to rotate several kids in and out with little to no drop off in level of play.

[mightydog]

They do have a lot returning. I believe the key to their success going forward will be the improvement they make in the weight room. The talent was there and will be, but as we saw against stronger teams like Ironton, Pikeville and Belfrey the strength to maintain blocks and open holes led to very little offense in those games. We saw the results of years of a poor wt lifting program.

[kyfootball2014]

Russell needs to get over all team speed and also hurt them against belfry ironton and Pikeville

[mightydog]

Speed didn't hurt them in the Ironton or Belfry game. You can't teach speed. Yes a mid can get a little faster through training, but you're only going to get a limited amount. Everyone can get stronger. Russell needs to do this and try to make up for the lack of speed the best they can. This can be done by ball controll, keeping the other teams offence off the field. The defense was good enough in all three losses. But because they couldn't controll the line they were 3 and out a lot. This was especially true in the pikeville game. They are on the 4 and in the red zone three other times in the first half but couldn't take advantage. When a team get that close and in the red zone you have to be able to move bodies, but Russell couldn't.

[Scotty_Bronson]

This year was just a glimps of what TJ Maynard is capable of as a coach. I think Russell may take some lumps early on next year, but come playoff time they will be prepared. Really lookig foward to the Raceland/Russell game next year. Always a big time atmosphere and the food drive helps alot of folks out as well. Pulling for the Devils ...except for that one week lol.

[DevilWatcher]

Russell has pretty much all their speed guys returning. Would love to see Pierce, Mell, and Adams and Redden beast it up in the weight room. Not to say that they don't but I'm not sure they realize the potential they have with their size. Ison and Slone throw up huge numbers in the weight room. I believe the team is headed to Racelands strength meet at the end of February. Recieving corp have great hands. Hopefully Stump can fill in for Robinson. Russell could use some 6 footers with nice hands. Lol

[EKUAlum05]

Developing a deep threat in the passing game and finding someone to replace Korzep on Defense are the biggest keys.

Russell will have a fine team and another year will make them very formidable, especially up front.

Don't want to beat a dead horse as it has been mentioned, but team speed and shear athleticism will be Russell's Achilles Heel. It simply isn't on the roster, but there are ways around it. Russell will have a very good OLine and hard running backs. If they can play ball control on offense and tighten up the LOS on defense the Devils will be solid. That's where a Deep Threat in the passing game will be so valuable.

Belfry will be looming returning 7 Starters, but the Pirates lose Hatfield.That's where Russell need to make up their ground by working so that they win everything between the tackles. Tall task...but Russell has the size if they can develop the skill.

[kyfootball2014]

I believe the layne kid will help Russell very impressive this year and also brown at linebacker and braden on ol/dl and the qb smith has a very bright future . what kind of numbers are ison and slone throwing up I hope some big numbers I heard that senior class this year had some strong kids and I believe slone ison and redden will be the leaders on defense all 3 had a solid year

[REDDEVILMANIAC127]

Russell is off to a good start under TJ Maynard and I agree I think we just saw a small fraction of what the new look Devils can accomplish under TJ. Russell has to get more physical and stronger up front. The strength of this team is going to be the front seven on both sides of the football. All the starters returning have the ability to become studs at their position but the secret to success lies in the weights. In 2005 that team was loaded with talent but their were several studs on that team who at anytime were pound for pound the strongest kids on the field at their position. I think your defensive secondary on defense must get more physical very little run support from the safeties and corners last year and if your gonna stop the run your secondary has to be willing to come up and tackle somebody, which is something horn, Lewis, brown, Clark, and Sizemore did very well. Another thing is offensive balance!!!!! Devils were just as predictable this year as they were under Ivan absolutely no passing attack!!! Russell won't get past Belfry again unless they can find a true offensive identity and develop some simple bread and butter pass plays that they can complete on a consistent basis. Overall lots of talent and potential returning but it all hinges how hard these young devils are willing to work! Are Mell, Redden, montenez, smith, slone, McKee, pierce , brewer etc. willing to pay the price to be dominant??

[mightydog]

This year was just a glimps of what TJ Maynard is capable of as a coach. I think Russell may take some lumps early on next year, but come playoff time they will be prepared. Really lookig foward to the Raceland/Russell game next year. Always a big time atmosphere and the food drive helps alot of folks out as well. Pulling for the Devils ...except for that one week lol.

When does the smack talk start...lol. Looking forward to that game. Should be a good one. Will Russell be home or away?

[Brooks4Prez]

Developing a deep threat in the passing game and finding someone to replace Korzep on Defense are the biggest keys.

Russell will have a fine team and another year will make them very formidable, especially up front.

Don't want to beat a dead horse as it has been mentioned, but team speed and shear athleticism will be Russell's Achilles Heel. It simply isn't on the roster, but there are ways around it. Russell will have a very good OLine and hard running backs. If they can play ball control on offense and tighten up the LOS on defense the Devils will be solid. That's where a Deep Threat in the passing game will be so valuable.

Belfry will be looming returning 7 Starters, but the Pirates lose Hatfield.That's where Russell need to make up their ground by working so that they win everything between the tackles. Tall task...but Russell has the size if they can develop the skill.

Are they going into the same region as Belfry in 2015 in the new alignment?

[EKUAlum05]

Are they going into the same region as Belfry in 2015 in the new alignment?

Yep...

Same Region as Belfry and the winner of that Region will most likely get Bell/Corbin in the Semi's

[Scotty_Bronson]

When does the smack talk start...lol. Looking forward to that game. Should be a good one. Will Russell be home or away?

i can start it now by saying that Raceland continues the streak if ud like!!!!hahaha. i honestly think they will, but i expect a dog fight. But i am unser where the game will be played.

Imo, Russell has a McGlone-esk team next season. Their defense will be very good and they will probably very run first as usual. They need to either develope some sort of deep threat in the passing game or utilize the intermediate passing game a bit more, that will socten defenses. Conley is a great back and McKee will hae another year under his belt in the offense so i think that will be a big factor as well.

[samson81]

Realistically, how much improvement should be expected in the passing game? McKee is a very effective playmaker, but a limited passer. Hopefully another offseason learning the finer nuances of the spread will make him more comfortable. Russell will have a very nice collection of pass catchers next season, but I wonder if the run/pass ratio will end up about the same.

To those familiar with the freshman team.... who are some freshman that might make a big impact next year?

[Scotty_Bronson]

Realistically, how much improvement should be expected in the passing game? McKee is a very effective playmaker, but a limited passer. Hopefully another offseason learning the finer nuances of the spread will make him more comfortable. Russell will have a very nice collection of pass catchers next season, but I wonder if the run/pass ratio will end up about the same.

To those familiar with the freshman team.... who are some freshman that might make a big impact next year?

If it were me, I look at the run to pass ratio, play effeciency in substantial games, etc. Russell ran around 800 plays from scrimmage according to khsaa (estimating not goina get into the exact numbers)Over 700 rushing attempts compared to less than a 160 pass attempts 13 Tds and 10 ints for McKee. He did throw for over 1000 yards though. In all, not a bad campaign for someone who has ran the Wing T all his life then all of a sudden he is thrust into the mix of all that is a Franklin Style system.

Id like to see Russell get a little more balanced. Just using the team that I follow closest, Raceland for an example, they ran around the same number of plays and had almost 200 less rushes and almost double the passing plays, that essentially garnered the same offensive output and season outcomes. So one could argue that my whole argument is void in becoming more balanced, hell look at Belfry. But I digress....

I think a successful improvement in the passing game would be getting the interceptions down, his completion percetage wasnt bad 92/147 is 63%, but over half of the remaining targets resulted in INTs. Another improvement would be becoming more verticle in the lassing game. His leading recievers were Korzep and Conley, thats telling me that he is relying alot on either screens or his check downs in the flats. If they can develope him with just nailing down those 5-10 yard dig routes from a Shallow series (franklin system) or the 3-7 yard mesh routes (92 series), I really think you would see major growth in Russell's offense. Balance is key, but in both Raceland and Russell's state semi losses, they were forced into becoming 1 demensional. I expect big things out of both next year. Maynard is a great coach and has gotten off to a helluva start.

[Do-double-gg]

From what I hear Russell and Lawrence are playing next season and I like it. I remember the two teams going at it just about every year when I was a kid. Two programs who are trying to get back to what they once were in the past. :Thumbs:

[kyfootball2014]

I think the Layne kid will see playing time along with Braden and brown -smith and Coburn has good speed and brinkman and bates played a good linebacker also Love looked good this year he has good speed and strength and hill looked like he would hit

[DevilWatcher]

I don't think Russell plays LC in regular season play and added Mason as a scrimmage. I do know they picked up Bath and Pendleton Co. Strongest overall players coming back would be B. Smith, M. Redden, S. Smith, E. Ison, J. Montanez, N. Pennington, and C. Slone. Those being left from the 1200lb club of last year. Put another year on those kids and they may have to change it to 1500lb club. Lol

[samson81]

I think the Layne kid will see playing time along with Braden and brown -smith and Coburn has good speed and brinkman and bates played a good linebacker also Love looked good this year he has good speed and strength and hill looked like he would hit

Who is #54? He wasn't on the preseason roster. Looks like a good player.

[devilbacker]

#54 for the freshman is Tucker Brown.

[mightydog]

Just watched the 3a championship. Centrals offense couldn't do anymore than Russells. Central had good linebackers and secondary support that made good plays to slow Belfrey down. From what I see, Russell isn't that far off. Belfrey just had a very good defense. The only score Central had was a fumble recovery, and the only time they came close was at the end of the game when Belfrey was in a prevent defense. I hate that defense. Central almost scored.

[samson81]

Just watched the 3a championship. Centrals offense couldn't do anymore than Russells. Central had good linebackers and secondary support that made good plays to slow Belfrey down. From what I see, Russell isn't that far off. Belfrey just had a very good defense. The only score Central had was a fumble recovery, and the only time they came close was at the end of the game when Belfrey was in a prevent defense. I hate that defense. Central almost scored.

Yeah, I agree. After seeing what Belfry's D did against Central, the sting of last week has subsided a little bit. That defense is just plain NASTY.

Russell just needs to continue to get stronger(that's becoming the theme of this thread). They should be stout and very physical next year. A verticle passing game(also a theme)would go a long way toward helping the Devils take the next step in 2015. Between Brewer and Brinkman, they have very capable playmakers in the passing game.

[mightydog]

Ive heard the freshman QB has a big arm. Does anyone think TJ would start him to have him for 3 years? Especialy since McKee is a pretty good runner that may do well in the slot position. Getting another skill kid out in space would really be a big plus for this offense. He could even be used in the wildcat some making it hard for teams to game plan for since they would never know how he was going to be used.

[E's Army]

Russell is headed in the right direction. Maynard is a very good coach and I look for big things out of them in the next couple of years.

[samson81]

2015 Schedule

8/11 @ Mason Co. -Scrimmage
8/15 EKC Grid vs. Rowan Co. - Scrimmage
8/21 Open Date
8/28 Greenup Co.
9/4 @ Ironton
9/11 Ashland
9/18 @ Boyd Co.
9/25 @ West Carter*
10/2 Fleming Co.*
10/9 @ Pendleton Co.*
10/19 @ Lewis Co.*
10/23 Bath Co.*
10/30 Raceland

* District Games

Not sure how to feel about this schedule. Ironton, Ashland, and Raceland should provide strong competition. That district on the other hand, leaves much to be desired, save for possibly Fleming.

I think Russell's site made a mistake on the date for the Lewis Co. game. The JV game is on 10/19 so I'll assume the Varsity game is on 10/16.

[samson81]

Ive heard the freshman QB has a big arm. Does anyone think TJ would start him to have him for 3 years? Especialy since McKee is a pretty good runner that may do well in the slot position. Getting another skill kid out in space would really be a big plus for this offense. He could even be used in the wildcat some making it hard for teams to game plan for since they would never know how he was going to be used.

I don't know much about the freshman kid, but I'd be surprised if McKee isn't the QB. Despite his limitations this year as a passer, he has another offseason to get better. He's also a known commodity and a leader. With the potential the team has next year, I wouldn't want to shake things up too much.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Id keep McKee undercenter as well. The Spread offense, even when its primarily used as a run first offense, is not easy to pick up. I think a change there would be a step backward unless the hsnge is made to an all around better QB. McKee makes good plays with his legs from the QB position as well, defenses has to accout for that.