[Beetle01]

Russell could do the same as Covington Catholic and Highlands and jump from 3A to 5A. That would up the competition level in the district significantly by adding Montgomery County, Woodford County, and Johnson Central. I wouldn't suggest that though.

This is how a Russell schedule could shape out beginning in 09.

Fleming County*
Lewis County*
West Carter*
Mason County*
Ashland
Ironton
Boyd County
Greenup County
Raceland

That's only 9 games which closes out their district as well as all local rivalry and money games. It also includes 4 good or very good teams. Russell could schedule another big school (a la Simon Kenton) to round out the schedule. 5 good teams is about the max Russell can afford to put into their schedule while keeping local money making games in as well.

Looking back though, they would just be exchanging East Carter for Fleming County and Lawrence County for Ironton in comparison to this year.

I think this boils down to show that even though Russell's schedule looks lackluster, it's about the best any AD could do while keeping the local money makers in the schedule.

Yes CovCath & Highlands both play up, but lets face it, they bring in alot more boys than any 3A school. If you live in that area and are a good football player, most attend those 2 schools. Just the way it is, if I lived there with kids who were good @ football thats where they would go. Russell wouldn't have the depth to compete in 5A, especially with the dwindling numbers. Now with Racelands financial troubles, I fully expect consolidation or absorption by Russell. In the next 5-10 years if not sooner. Now that team would probably be 4A or by that time with the numbers falling maybe 3A, but they could probably play up in 5A and compete with the big boys. Russell puts out more or matches the talent with most schools more than twice their size in numbers. Raceland does the same thing. It would make for one tough football team, depending on who was heading it up.

West and Lewis oughta just go down as wins, and let us schedule someone else and let them schedule someone else instead of a throbbing.