[Scotty_Bronson]

I hope it's not 30 more years. These schools need to either play every year or just forget it.

Agreed. It's the only sport that has any laps in games played. The competition between the two football programs exhisted long before the Rail City Bowl even started. Russell's two state titels looming over Raceland's head. In recent years Raceland has proved that they can compete with the big schools in this area, in winning 3 years in a row over Ashland and the current 5 games streak over Russell. I think all the area teams need to play each other, if both can benefit from the game. I know the backyard brawl has become lopsided in Greenup's recent misfortune and Raceland has been getting toppled by Ashland the last few years, (though this year they SHOULD have won.)...I think Raceland, Russell, Ashland, Fairview, Johnson Central could all benefit(atleast at the gate) by playing each other year in and year out.

[FBALL]

Easy, don't jump the gun there. It's 4 in a row for the Ams.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Easy, don't jump the gun there. It's 4 in a row for the Ams.

Wasn't declaring an early victory. Thought that this would be the 6th meeting since the renewal of the game. My appologies, you are correct. Since the start of the Rail Cities Bowl in 07, Russell thumped Raceland in the first meeting 35-14. The last 4 have been AMS victories by an average score of 34-22. I think Raceland will score around 40 points this year, I think Russell's defense is good enough to hold them below their average, but I believe Raceland's defense is the 3rd toughest they've faced behind Ironton and Ashland. If Raceland controls the turnovers, they are a hard team to beat. Russell's offense hasn't put up staggering numbers this year. I think that becomes the major issue of the game. Russell's offense vs Raceland's defense.

[FBALL]

Russell has to sustain drives.

[Scotty_Bronson]

That has seemed to plague them all year. Stalling inside the opponents 30. But from what I saw out of Raceland and Fairview it was a little of the same. I just think the offensive systems provide more opportunity for big plays with the Ams and the Beagles. Unless you have a Josh Gross, Casey Clark, or Drew Mills, the wing and wing t offenses just don't allow for those big yardage plays. It's more of a wishbone style offense designed to just wear people down.

[FBALL]

It would be nice to have Josh or Casey back there.

They have actually hit some big plays. What has killed them, particularly against Blazer, was the three and outs. Playing defense the entire game will get you beat.

[Scotty_Bronson]

No doubt about it. It still makes me sick to my stomach that against Blazer. We (raceland) were down 21-19 with 1:49 left in the first half, we recovered a fumble on the Tomcat 48 yard line. We proceeded to run a draw play, then take 3 knees before halftime. I think that really set the tone for the rest of the game. Even with 2 turnovers, we were onfire the first half, matching them blow for blow. We scored, they scored, we stalled, they stalled, they score, we respond with one of our own. Then the lack of emotion shown by kneeling before the half, boy did it show coming out of halftime. They scored first. We through a pick six and it was all down hill from there. 4 second half turnovers turned into 21 points for Ashland. It got worse when I looked at the stats the next morning. When it was almost completely even in Rush Yds, Pass Yds, Penalties...u name it was dead even...except turnovers.

I think if we had won that game (i believe we would have if not for the fact that all the turnovers were in ashland territory we would have)...we would have beaten Fairview as well. But I have mentioned before, that I didn't think the winner of round 1 RAMS vs Beagles would win round 2. But I have digressed way off topic here lol....back to the topic at hand...

GO RAMS BEAT THE EVILS!

[tomcatfan722000]

The problem with Russell running the wing t is the defense is stout. Rusell will give up points. An if you want to grind out a game you just can't give up points.

[tomcatfan722000]

The problem with Russell running the wing t is the defense is stout. Rusell will give up points. An if you want to grind out a game you just can't give up points.

Was. Supposed to say isn't

[FBALL]

The defense isn't that bad if they could stay off the field. Against Blazer every series almost was a three and out. You give a team twice as many plays and points will start to pile up. When Russell has struggled it has been when the offense has struggled. They had pretty much had there way with Mason County for 3 1/2 quarters til the offense disappeared in the 4th. A failure to recover an on side kick , a stupid personal foul penalty and a late TD would have never come into play if the offense had produced just a couple of first downs. Next thing you know they had given away the 1 seed in the district.

[BHS78]

Rams by 14

[tomcatfan722000]

The defense isn't that bad if they could stay off the field. Against Blazer every series almost was a three and out. You give a team twice as many plays and points will start to pile up. When Russell has struggled it has been when the offense has struggled. They had pretty much had there way with Mason County for 3 1/2 quarters til the offense disappeared in the 4th. A failure to recover an on side kick , a stupid personal foul penalty and a late TD would have never come into play if the offense had produced just a couple of first downs. Next thing you know they had given away the 1 seed in the district.

Russell is giving up 19.8 points per game. Say what you want about the offense putting the defense in a bad spot in the mason game. If the defense keeps them out of the endzone there is no onside kick. So criticism goes both ways and they still gave up 32. That 19.8 includes cupcakes Greenup,Boyd,West carter, East Carter,fleming county( without mcadams), and Lewis county. If you take the 3 games agains what I would call quality competition(Ashland,Ironton,Mason) the devils are giving up 42 a game. Against a Raceland offense as good or better than those 3 teams that doesn't boad well for Russell.

[FBALL]

Go back and look at the Blazer game and see how many more plays they ran than Russell.

This is by no means the best defensive team that Russell has had in recent years but they have been on the field alot. You said it yourself. The offense is meant to eat up clock and grind games out. If they can't sustain drives it puts the defense in a hole. All of those three and outs are almost like turnovers.

The only teams that had big offensive games against them were Ashland and Ironton. Mason had one long drive and that was it. Both ran a considerable amount of plays more than Russell.

Special teams has been a big weak spot too. The Ams will have a big advantage there.

[tomcatfan722000]

Go back and look at the Blazer game and see how many more plays they ran than Russell.

This is by no means the best defensive team that Russell has had in recent years but they have been on the field alot. You said it yourself. The offense is meant to eat up clock and grind games out. If they can't sustain drives it puts the defense in a hole. All of those three and outs are almost like turnovers.

The only teams that had big offensive games against them were Ashland and Ironton. Mason had one long drive and that was it. Both ran a considerable amount of plays more than Russell.

Special teams has been a big weak spot too. The Ams will have a big advantage there.

As much as the offense not getting first downs is a problem. The defense not getting stops is as well. After one play in the Russell game it was 7-0 cause of a defensive breakdown. The first half of the Ironton game may have been the best half Of offensive football Russell has played and still went in the locker room down six and gave up 20 points. I think a bigger problem in the Ashland and Ironton games was the defense let the opposing teams jump out to a lead an a offense designed to grind had to play catch up. The mason game was a complete collapse on both side of the ball.

[FBALL]

As much as the offense not getting first downs is a problem. The defense not getting stops is as well. After one play in the Russell game it was 7-0 cause of a defensive breakdown. The first half of the Ironton game may have been the best half Of offensive football Russell has played and still went in the locker room down six and gave up 20 points. I think a bigger problem in the Ashland and Ironton games was the defense let the opposing teams jump out to a lead an a offense designed to grind had to play catch up. The mason game was a complete collapse on both side of the ball.

Only the last 6 minutes.

[Ramcat77]

This is going to be a great game. As it stands right now, I think Raceland will pull away in the end. I think the health of Googie is the potential game changer here. His ability to get to the edge absolutely scares me.

[FBALL]

His ability to play the ball in the secondary may be the biggest concern.

[Fanman]

Russell will probably be up for this game, making the first half close. But I see Raceland by a couple TDs in the second half.

Sad to see the series end. Makes no sense to anyone. Enjoy beating Pikeville.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

Raceland by Eleventy billion.

[FBALL]

There goes the neighborhood.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Not sure what the injurty report is for Raceland, but if they are without Vance, Elkins, and Beach against this Russell team, Raceland could be in trouble. If they are back, then I see a tight game in the first quarter and a half. Then Raceland pulls away in the last half of the 2nd quarter. Russell comes back out of halftime with some fire and gets it close, then Raceland pulls away in the end.

[FBALL]

I would imagine everyone will play.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Yea, got word yesterday that they should all be 100% and still be able to come out of the game atleast 80-90% for the playoffs. Looking foward to the finaly Rail Cities Bowl. It's absurd, but it very well could be the last time these two teams play...EVER. Maybe in a few years we can get it back on the schedule. If that's the case, I hope Raceland drops one of the other 3/4A schools they play and keep Ashland, Ironton, Russell, on the non-district portion of the schedule. That's a pretty stout schedule as it is. Throw in Pikeville and someone like Sheldon Clark, LCA, or another 2/3A school and you'll sure as hell be battle tested. I think all teams in our area should begin scheduling like this. Who gives a crap if you go 10-0 when your final record is 12-1 with nothing but a District Title. I'd rather loose a few games and be prepared for the atmosphere that comes in early november. Though it is a bit concerning because these schools have more numbers and injuries could become a factor. But I think it'd be a great improvement on competition in our area.

[Daniel_BellCo]

Raceland 35

Russell 24

[CoachfromtheStands]

I would think this would be a close game going into the 4qt and the Rams pulling out a 14pt win.
I have notice the games the the Rams have lost the teams have put a lot of pressure on the qb and the los they have protect better.Elkins is a good qb he has beaten the teams that the Rams was suppose to beat and I am sure they are suppose to win this one as well. Evans is a good qb also.... as someone has already said when will they let him play or open it up a little more for him.They have to open it the playoffs is next week and they have to do more than run the ball.



Rams 35
Red Devils 21

[Ramcat77]

I would think this would be a close game going into the 4qt and the Rams pulling out a 14pt win.
I have notice the games the the Rams have lost the teams have put a lot of pressure on the qb and the los they have protect better.Elkins is a good qb he has beaten the teams that the Rams was suppose to beat and I am sure they are suppose to win this one as well. Evans is a good qb also.... as someone has already said when will they let him play or open it up a little more for him.They have to open it the playoffs is next week and they have to do more than run the ball.



Rams 35
Red Devils 21

Elkins has some major issues of holding onto the ball. The coaching staff at Raceland confuses me at times. Elkins can throw an interception and they shut the passing game down. If he fumbles the ball, they keep calling his number. Don't get me wrong, he is a decent QB, but I would prefer if they get the ball in the hands of our other athletes. Just my opinion.

[SPORTS FAN 101]

Russell in a close game 20-18

[Scotty_Bronson]

Elkins has some major issues of holding onto the ball. The coaching staff at Raceland confuses me at times. Elkins can throw an interception and they shut the passing game down. If he fumbles the ball, they keep calling his number. Don't get me wrong, he is a decent QB, but I would prefer if they get the ball in the hands of our other athletes. Just my opinion.

Turnovers have been the reason for both losses. For some reason, in the big games, it seems like we turn the ball over in the redzone, and at crucial points in the game. When your defense stops teams like Ashland and Fairview, offensively, you HAVE to capitalize. We simply didn't do that. Adam has had a solid senior year, with a couple 200+yd passing games. The running game has been a little stronger than I anticipated.

The play calling has been suspect at times. I trust in the coaching staff, but sometimes I have to wonder what is going on. But, against Fairview, Daylin went out, and we lost all of our speed off the edges, Zach is a good running back, but even though he is small, he is more of an off tackle runner. He's got enough speed to break away, but really doesn't have the quickness to get to the edge before the defense does. When the Eagles didn't have to worry about that any more, they could let their linebackers pin their ears back instead of working on containment on the outside. Against Ashland, we go blown out because of turnovers. Take them away and the game probably ends in a 31-25 win, for either team. Statistically it was dead even, minus the turnovers.

If we can't get that under control in big games, then we have no shot at a Regional Championship...let alone a State Title appearance. If we do, then I think we can play with any of the top dogs in class A.

[football 105]

Turnovers have been the reason for both losses. For some reason, in the big games, it seems like we turn the ball over in the redzone, and at crucial points in the game. When your defense stops teams like Ashland and Fairview, offensively, you HAVE to capitalize. We simply didn't do that. Adam has had a solid senior year, with a couple 200+yd passing games. The running game has been a little stronger than I anticipated.

The play calling has been suspect at times. I trust in the coaching staff, but sometimes I have to wonder what is going on. But, against Fairview, Daylin went out, and we lost all of our speed off the edges, Zach is a good running back, but even though he is small, he is more of an off tackle runner. He's got enough speed to break away, but really doesn't have the quickness to get to the edge before the defense does. When the Eagles didn't have to worry about that any more, they could let their linebackers pin their ears back instead of working on containment on the outside. Against Ashland, we go blown out because of turnovers. Take them away and the game probably ends in a 31-25 win, for either team. Statistically it was dead even, minus the turnovers.

If we can't get that under control in big games, then we have no shot at a Regional Championship...let alone a State Title appearance. If we do, then I think we can play with any of the top dogs in class A.

The reason for the turnovers in the two big games is because most of our skill players arent physical players. They will shy away from the contact. The tomcats got physical. And we couldn't even hand the ball off in the backfield without dropping the ball. The eagles got physical. And some couldn't take it. Hard hit!! Drop the ball!!! Those are the only two physical teams we have played. 12 turnovers in 2 hard hitting games!!
Get that taken care of. We'll be ok. Be better off putting it in other players hands for those type games!

[Scotty_Bronson]

I agree. But it seemed that Conner played alot more physical in the game against Paintsville and while they aren't the best team right now, they did hit and tackle well. So maybe that will give him so confidence to initiate contact. I have a feeling we are going to be able to gauge how we have grown since Fairview tomorrow night. I think how we come out and play against the Evils will depict how we are going to play in the playoffs.