[FBALL]

You are right on the money. Lawrence County is a good team that just happens to be 0-6 due to a tough schedule. They have a very good quarterback. If ever you could say a game that ended up a 21 point difference could have gone either way, it is definitely this one. The last couple of touchdowns were sort of irrelevant and after the fact.

Russell did a good job tonight, though. I really think they still have a ways to go if they are going to contend for a state title this year, but they played a respectable game this evening. It seems to me they are ALMOST there in so many facets of the game, but just not quite good enough to make me feel confident that a deep playoff run is coming.

They ran the ball well tonight. Drew Abrams, David Bailey, and A.J. Cordle all ran very well...particularly Abrams who seems to regularly break numerous tackles. They also came through on defense when they had to. I'd like to see better kickoff coverage, better pass defense including a pass rush, and a little more fire from the fans and sidelines. I'm not sure about the blocking. I look forward to reading some other assessments of that. There seems to be several areas that need to be and can be improved. I look forward to seeing how it goes.

Good game, though, to both Russell and Lawrence County.

I agree with most of this.

Russell is "almost" in alot of areas. The most important though is mentally. They have the talent to compete for a 3A state title. They played very hard for most of the game but it seemed like every time they were ready to take control of the game there was a little bit of a relax. Especially on defense. Consistant effort even when you have a team down is must if this team wants to win a championship.

Lawrence is a good team. No matter what their record says. They have lost some games to some very good teams. Keep on giving that kind of effort and good things will happen. Shepherd did some good things but to me Frazier may have been the Dawgs most impressive player.

Lawrence County hung around and made it a game, turning the ball over on downs with 2:55 to go in the game. They still had a chance but Russell's running game was just to much for them.

Russell still has alot of room to improve on defense. Still some arm tackling that resulted in one TD that should have never happened. WRAP UP! Some break downs in coverage that were just mental mistakes more than anything. If they are going to run the zone coverage against the spread they are going to have to get more pressure on the QB. You cannot let a good QB set his feet and throw like that.

The offense had some bright spots for Russell but still some breakdowns there as well. Cordle has to make better decisions on where to throw the ball and when to throw it. IMO he holds on to long looking down field. If it is there take it. If not take off and run. There were some opening in the pass game that were not taken advantage of. The rushing offense looked pretty good tonight. The backs ran hard. Some missed blocking assignments allowed too much penetration at times. But that will happen when teams overload the line of scrimmage. Clean that up and I thought the line did a pretty good job tonight.

Overall not a bad game by either team. Lawrence County is not to be taken lightly. They have proven that against some of the best teams in 3A and 2A. 4A better watch out. I'm not sure what happened against Boyd County last week, but the Bulldog team I watched tonight was better than the Lions I watched in week 2. They play hard and they have some talent.