[mightydog]

Russell's program lost it's "edge" after the 2006 season, ultimately leading to the dismissal of longtime coach McGlone. Even when they were great, Russell never turned into a "destination" program like Belfry where players come from other schools and across the river specifically to play football. Ironically, Russell's current coach was busy trying to turn Raceland into that type of program during the years when Russell should have been riding the momentum of the state title games. Raceland even got the best athlete in a generation at Russell during that time in Connor Messer. Fairview was bringing players in as well during that time. The only way Russell could have achieved what Belfry has achieved on this recent run is to have been the school all of these players wanted to play for in the area. It was quite the opposite, though, as talented players were actually leaving Russell. It hurt badly that 2 class A schools within a 5 mile radius of Russell were building powers with Raceland taking players from Russell and Greenup and Fairview attracting players from Ohio and Huntington. At the same time, McGlone was losing his energy and the program went in the opposite direction of Belfry. Maynard is doing a good job of restoring the pride, the interest, the feeder leagues, and the conditioning. Over time, hopefully that will work to attract talent.

Russell never did attract outside talent. Raceland kids have always been loyol to that school and they usually got a few from Greenup Co. They never attracted kids from Ohio, Irony in always got those. And Ashland always ended up with Fairview and Boyd Co defectors. So they've always had to develop their own. Had some Russell kids not left the program things may have turned out different the last several years.I know Messer left, Mavrick Dixon was in the feeder system along with Isic Sherman the big kid who played at Irony in. And I believe a few of Racelands lineman from last year was previously at Russell. The biggest challenge they have will be developing big strong lineman with some mobility. They get enough skill people to make a difference. But without the big uglies it won't matter. McKee could have had a good yr passing but was always running for his life. He had some good receivers. It will take a few more years of the kids in the wt room to develop the strengthen they need to compete with the better teams.