[mightydog]

Not when you lose 5 or 6 key players that play both sides of the ball. We basically lost most of our key players on both the Offense and defense. The last 4-5 games we played with 2 Freshman RB's in Conley, Sharpe, Anderson(soph) and Duvall(junior). All 4 Running backs were not starters to start the season. We lost one of the areas biggest playmaker on both offense at WR and DE on the defense in Stump. Stump alone could have made huge plays at WR and especially huge playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. We you lose 2-3 RB's, WR, and 4-5 on the defense it will be a long season for any team. Then you had QB Church that had over 1600 yards in passing last year and made some big plays last year with a Injured Shoulder all summer and didn't play any scrimmages and still isn't 100% healthy with his shoulder and he didn't even play tonight vs. Raceland. You don't think that is huge in a game like tonight vs. Raceland. Just way too many injuries this year and I really believe Coach Maynard has done an outstanding job going 5-5 with the KEY Injuries. With a 100% Healthy team we would have beaten GC, Fleming County, and possibly Raceland at Home tonight. We could have been easily 8-2 or 7-3 if this was a Healthy team. Russell has some outstanding youth coming up and the next 3 or 4 years will be big years for Coach Maynard and Russell.

Church did play. He didnt start the first series for some reason, And he was out toward the end of the game. And I dont remember any freshman getting any carries last night. Conly may have gotten one or two that I missed. Russell has enough playmakers to have won this game and 2-3 of the other ones they lost. THE OL play is the worse ive seen in a long time. I dont know if its the zone blocking, technique, or just lack of effert. Other than the first part of the game the defense played well. the only other ofensive td Raceland had was on a drive that was kept alive on a penalty because Russell couldnt get their punt return team on the field. Just no excuse for this. The special teams coach should be getting his return team together on 3rd down, have them in a group and ready to go in as soon as the play is over. And if youre a player you should be aware of what down it is and get ready. Just no excuse.