[ryanparker]

I'll say one thing: Drew Abrams is a fantastic player... I commented during the update thread how he was beign asked to carry Russell on both offense and defense. That ahd to be the hardest earned 70 yards I have seen!

A couple things that confused me about Russell tonight:

1. The Balance of Carries- I just mentioned Abrams carrying the team, but I was surprised that he did get as many carries as he did. Does Russell not have any other homerun hitting threat or just no confidence in anyone but Abrams? Usually Russell has 4-5 different backs carrying the ball over 5 times.

2. The predictability of Russell's passing game- 2nd and Long = Pass. At that, short pass. Belfry was all over the short stuff and as a result Russell was foced into 3rd and long all night. Which brings me to...

3. Russell's 3rd Down Play Calling- The Devils had no issue passing on 2nd and Long, but 3rd and Long they ran the ball nearly every time? I'm sorry but the odds are you won't break many 8+ yard carries on Belfry, so why continue to test your luck on 3rd and Long?

4. Russell's Disappearance of Speed- We have heard all year how fast this Russell team would be..even comparisons to Louisville Central early in the year. Yet Belfry got anything they wanted off tackle?

I agree with you that Abrams is a very good player.