[GOREDDEVILS]

http://dailyindependent.com/localsports/...er-for-now

Kyle Hobstetter The Independent
ASHLAND — The Raceland-Russell football rivalry is over ... for now.

The two schools separated by just three miles will end their series after this season.

“Me and (Raceland coach T.J. Maynard) have talked and that’s the conclusion we’ve come to,” Russell coach Ivan McGlone said. “That’s the only comment I have.”

Raceland coach T.J. Maynard is disappointed in the decision to end the series.

“It’s unfortunate because of the proximity of the game and the natural rivalry that it was,” Maynard said. “It was great preparation for the playoffs for the both of us. But we’ll just move on.”

After being played for 48 years, the series took a break in 1974. Then in 2007 the series returned, with Raceland winning four and Russell only once.

Russell leads the series overall with a record of 27-19-7, and the two teams do have a Week 11 meeting this season.

“We were hoping to continue the series because it’s been great,” Maynard said. “We’re going to miss it, we’re going to miss the atmosphere.

“I've been on both ends of (three) rivalries (Greenup County-Raceland, Russell-Raceland, Russell-Greenup). To me those three games are no-brainers.”

Maynard said there are already teams calling him about the open week next year, including Danville, Tates Creek and Clark County, but travel expenses could be an issue.

The Rams’ 2013 non-district schedule includes East Carter, West Carter, Boyd County, Greenup County, Lawrence County and Ashland.

[GOREDDEVILS]

I hope its not over for long.

[Jarons]

^ should have never ended in 1974. Schools are too close not to play. Poor decision.

[mightydog]

I'm currious as to who's decision this was, McGlones or sparks. If Sparks McGlone should have used his clout and tried to change his mind...maybe he tried...If it was coaches decision Sparks should have overridden the decision knowing McGlone won't be there much longer. Either way it should have never happened

[that's right]

Mcglone didn't want it started back! He stopped it.

[Chorn]

It's obvious Russell is scared.

[Strikeout King]

Is it true that Estill and Russell are starting to play again?

[Old Jacket 91]

Maybe it was a moral thing for the team.

[Statmaster]

Russell can't afford to go play at Estill. They don't have the money. They want to play the schools that are close to them ( but only if they can consistently beat them:lame. Thats why they asked to be in the district they are in. :lmao: :hilarious:. I'm surprised they keep playing Ashland and Ironton.

[FBALL]

Evidently we can afford it. By the amount of crying it appears the Ams can't afford to lose it. I guess that's just too bad.

[grim_reminder]

Greenup could possibly drop them also.

[PaytoPlay]

Who are "close" teams that could be options for Russell? Rowan Co? Prestonsburg? Montgomery Co? Some sort of Huntington team?

[Strikeout King]

Russell can't afford to go play at Estill. They don't have the money. They want to play the schools that are close to them ( but only if they can consistently beat them:lame. Thats why they asked to be in the district they are in. :lmao: :hilarious:. I'm surprised they keep playing Ashland and Ironton.

From what I heard Estill would go to Russell starting next year and Russell would come to Estill in 2014. I have heard that Estill is going back to the old school schedule

[FBALL]

Who are "close" teams that could be options for Russell? Rowan Co? Prestonsburg? Montgomery Co? Some sort of Huntington team?

Huntington or Ohio teams are much closer than any of those. Open dates in the past have usually been filled with one of those kinds of schools.

I still can't defend the move. Still think its chickenshit on our part.

But Raceland does need the game from a financial standpoint much worse than Russell does.

[mightydog]

Just wish Sparks would have grown a pair and stood up to McGlone. When McGlons's gone, and soon I hope, and yes I mean just from coaching, Russell may want this game back and raceland might not give it back, wouldn't blame them.Does McGlone want to schedule another palsy so he can keep padding his win total? I just think any coach who's lost 4 of 5 to a team that your equally on par with would take the challenge of reversing this losing streak.

[FBALL]

I honestly don't believe wins or losses have anything to do with it. Right or wrong the way I understand it Coach is pissed about all of the transfers, ( yes Raceland does have 5 kids in the starting lineup that went to Russell from kindergarten to middle school at least) and supposed recruiting. I'm not defending that. I think we should play.

Also before you guys jump on it some of those kids had legitimate reasons to transfer some did not in my opinion. I'm not going to get into the specifics on each kid because that is nobody's business except that kid and his parents.

[RAMDAD50]

Russell will play Raceland in every other sport,beat them anywhere from 3 to 5 times a season.cant play them one time a year in football.Chicken shit's

[pitchfork]

I wan't to share nothing but love. Every coach hates a big "L" on there successful career. And will try to schedule teams that they dominate every year. So as to get that big "W". So it makes sense to drop the programs that dominate you and keep teams on the schedule that you can get a "W". No matter what it does to the program. This was COACH IVAN call no doubt. Why not drop East Carter since they got out of our district anyways. Sorry,:dontthink I got off track, nothing but love. We want the "W" This move was not about $$$$. It is all about wins and loses period and it is the HOF COACH :1:call.

[FBALL]

Yep. No axe to grind there at all.

[Ramcat77]

I wan't to share nothing but love. Every coach hates a big "L" on there successful career. And will try to schedule teams that they dominate every year. So as to get that big "W". So it makes sense to drop the programs that dominate you and keep teams on the schedule that you can get a "W". No matter what it does to the program. This was COACH IVAN call no doubt. Why not drop East Carter since they got out of our district anyways. Sorry,:dontthink I got off track, nothing but love. We want the "W" This move was not about $$$$. It is all about wins and loses period and it is the HOF COACH :1:call.

Based on that logic, Russell should definitely drop Ashland and Ironton from their schedule, correct? I know it's been five in a row for Ashland, and none of them have been close. I'm not sure about Ironton. For what's it worth, I could give a crap if Raceland plays Russell. In my opinion, the Russell program is nowhere near what it used to be.

[American Dream]

If Russell drops all of the teams that are beating them that have many games next year! Maybe they get some of the old schools that Marv use to play 9 times a year! I'm sure they can round up Hitchins or Grayson, Blaine! If they were beating Raceland every year they would not be dropping them!

[Big Blue 4 Life]

I will start off by saying I disagree with the decision to not renew the contract. I do agree with FBALL that I don't think it has to do with losing. If that was the case then Ironton would not be back on the schedule. I believe there is something more to this decision.

[Statmaster]

I think losing does have some to do with it. Russell doesn't like losing to a small single A school. Ashland and Ironton are bigger schools , Russell doesn't like Raceland being able to talk smack about their recent domination over Russell.

[RAMDAD50]

I think if Russell would drop Ashland in football Ashland would drop Russell in all other sports.Raceland can't they are in the same district in all other sports

[Bears Boy]

I really hate to see this series end. All of the games were close and fun to watch. Maybe in the future they can get back together.

[FBALL]

You can talk all the trash you want. Make no mistake about it though. This decision was made by one person because what he perceives as recruiting.

[FBALL]

I think if Russell would drop Ashland in football Ashland would drop Russell in all other sports.Raceland can't they are in the same district in all other sports

You should stop thinking before you hurt yourself.

[Statmaster]

You can talk all the trash you want. Make no mistake about it though. This decision was made by one person because what he perceives as recruiting.

:ChairHit: Russell should never say anything about getting players from other schools.

[FBALL]

:ChairHit: Russell should never say anything about getting players from other schools.

Neither should you with 5 kids in your starting lineup that went to Russell from kindergarten-middle school.

You should love us. :devilflam

[Ramcat77]

Neither should you with 5 kids in your starting lineup that went to Russell from kindergarten-middle school.

You should love us. :devilflam

How many kids from Russell have gone to Raceland over the years? How many kids from Raceland have gone to Russell over the years? I'm sure it is more than five. So now we are talking about five kids in Raceland's starting lineup, from Russell, that killed the contract? Anytime a high number of kids start transferring from one school to the other, usually it points to a problem within. I've heard stories about the Russell feeder system and how junior high aged kids really don't benefit from within. I don't know how true it is. I'm sure if high quality kids from Raceland were transferring to Russell, McGlone wouldn't be complaining then.