[ryanparker]

Russell played their best game of the year. It's just that Raceland is the better team this year. They have a strong line and 2 good running backs. I get the feeling this game was won in the weight room this summer. A lineman like Logan doesn't come along too often. From looking at him out there, I thought T.J. Maynard had suited up for a second! :-)

This was a COMPLETELY different Russell team than I have seen at any point this year, though. Every Russell fan, player, and coach should be proud of their effort tonight. The offensive and defensive lines were solid. The personnel changes on defense helped. Stapleton, Rice, and Smith were great. Storm Burgess in the backfield helped. Jason Dolly is an outstanding punter. Abrams was simply phenomenal. Cordle played well. The sidelines were into the game and even chanting. If Russell had played with this kind of spirit from game 1 this year, this season would have been different and we wouldn't have been going to Belfry in round 2. If they play like this in the playoffs, though, they will definitely compete against anyone.

I'm proud of this Russell team.