[Scotty_Bronson]

The Rams will lose a great secondary, a 3 year starter at center, their QB, their top 2 WR and their punter. They return all but 1 starter on the OL, 1,000 yd and 10 TDs from Kane Snyder and 700 yds and 10 TDs from Carson Christian. Schedule will be decent adding Sheldon Clark, Russell, and Valley (OH). Thoughts?

[Jarons]

The region will belong to Raceland or Paintsville for the next four years under new realignment.

[bac2369]

Make a list Scotty of losses to graduation and who returns.. I'm trying to get a good grip of what team returns the most..

[Scotty_Bronson]

gone is:
Connor Messer (ATH)
Josh Young (QB/CB)
Maverick Dixon (WR/CB)
Lucas Bradley ©
Greg Bowling (OT/DT)
Tanner Coffee (LB/DL/OL)
Christian Sargent (OL/DL)

returning (grade they will be in next year)
Skill Guys:
Kane Snyder RB/LB Sr: 1,000+ yds rushing and 10 TDs
Carson Christian RB/SS Sr: 700 yds rushing 10 TDs
Bailey Walker RB/LBJr: 400 yards (limited carries) 5 TDs
Austin Howard WR/CB Sr 14 Rec 205 yds no TDs
Nick Caldwell WR/QB/DB: 7 Rec 156 yds 3 TDs

The OL and DL will be about the same minus Bradley.
Isaac Wallace OL/DT Jr: 6'2" 290 almost 70 tackles on defense this year as a Soph.
Jerome Hall OL/DE Jr: 5'9" 240 and quick. really came on strong towards seasons end.
Morgan Carmen OL/DE: 5'10" 240, if this kid is healthy he is a monster for us the next 2 years.
Alex Neice OL/DL Sr: 6'2" 260 good foot work, strong as a mule, very good upside in this kid.

there are a slew of quality and capable lineman that will be JRs next year and dare I say it, the freshman class has a backfield that could potentially produce a Connor Messer type of player both in skill and size and 3 other skill guys that are all probably going to come in at or around 5'10" 170-190 lbs. Great atheletes that will be freshman. If we solidify the QB spot, we will be hard to beat.

I forgot Seth Holbrook, SR MLB/OL. Kid really stepped up as a leader on the defensive side of the ball this year.

[Scotty_Bronson]

I also forgot both Braden and Caden Townsend. LB and lineman that are both capable of starting.

[Ramcat77]

I agree with Jarons, Paintsville or Raceland should be the favorite to win the region over the next four years.

Fairview's cupboard is quickly growing bare and the fact that they couldn't field a middle school team makes one wonder how they plan to restock what they week lose in the future.

[nekysportsfan]

The loss of Messer will hurt the Rams quite a bit as he was a Swiss army knife player who certainly opened up some things for the coaches and team. However, I think that loss will be offset by the realignment where Raceland should win regional titles for the foreseeable future with little resistance. The realignment opens things up for the Rams much like things were set up for Russell in the mid-2000's when they made their state title runs. They shouldn't meet much of a challenge until the state semi game where they will meet either Hazard, Pikeville, or Williamsburg. Raceland should be making their first appearance in a state title game soon. In fact, I would say they are the favorites next year.

[E's Army]

With the redistricting I would expect to see Raceland back in the semi's. Maybe the third time is a charm. They are well coached and have a good group of athletes coming back. Beware of muddy fields at home and Paintsville. Favorites don't always win.

[Scotty_Bronson]

We wilk have to find a QB. Imo, they should try and build for the future and give the job to Damon Black. He will be a soph next year and was the JV QB this year. He saw action in 4 games and was 10 of 14 for 168 yards 3 TDs and 1 int. He has alot of potential, though he doesnt quite have the size Young had. He has a solid arm and can make great plays with his legs. Size can change alot between now and the start of the season, though. I think the Freshman class coming in will do a good job filling the gaps in the secondary. Our WR and CBs will be young, but ver tallented and have good size. With the alignment, plus what Williamsburg and Hazard will lose to graduation, if we dont win multiple region titles and a few state title appearances, something is bad wrong. But, you never know what can happen on a Friday night. I like our chances next year, we will have alot of experience at the RB position as well as on the line.

[pjdoug]

I was gonna say I think Raceland has a shot at winning region again next year,but a few state title appearances?

[Scotty_Bronson]

Looking at what Hazard, Williamsburg, and Pikeville return over the next few years. PJ, you seem to believe that Williamaburg is the all mighty. They have a great QB/Play maker in Griffith. Massey is a good back and the Williamsburg defense is good across the board. But this Williamsburg team will lose 15+ seniors. Hazard will lose Jones a pretty good group of LB, a few recievers and RUMOR has it, Morgan. Pikeville loses Pugh, Maynard, Charles, Estep, and a few others. Raceland will return a bunch, the same backfield, same line (that will be even better, all but one were all Soph's this year). Yes, Raceland will get over the hump in the next few years and make it to the carpet.

[jetpilot]

^Not Pugh

[pjdoug]

I dont believe any such thing as that.I would think Williamsburg would be down next year.

[Scotty_Bronson]

^Not Pugh

My mistake. Seems like he has been around forever. Pikeville doesnt lose alot upfront and having Pugh back will help. Idk what they will return in regaurds to QB options or WR. Charles has been the man for a few years now. Hard to replace that experience, especially late in the playoffs. Williamsburg will be in rebuilding mode, but they do have enough numbers to be competitive. Hazard we regroup as well. It will be the same teams as last year fighting amongst each other. I believe Raceland will make it to BG sometime between next year and when they readjust alignments.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

Rams may get a QB next year if his friends can talk him into playing.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Jerome Hall's younger brother Octavious played all through JFL and is a great athelete. A big arm and a very quick. I think he will be a Sophomore. If thats who you are speaking of then yes, he would be an incredible asset to the Rams. There are a few walking the halls of RHS that have QB potential IMO. Problem is, the offense isnt exactly a cake walk to learn and memorize. Octavious would be a great addition either way. I think you will see 60-70 kids come out for the team next year.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Returning to the team next year, who could potentially take over, you will have
Nick Caldwell ( will be a jr: has qb experience and is a great athelete)
Damon Black (will be a Soph Frosh/JV QB)
Judd Adkins (will be a Frosh. REMEMBER THIS KID)
Carson Christian (SR/RB) was the Frosh/JV QB last year and has experience in the offense. i doubt u seem him taking the snaps unless its a Wildcat situation

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

I think Octavius football days are over.

[pjdoug]

Rams may get a QB next year if his friends can talk him into playing.

if so they could be a tough out next season.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

Probably shouldn't have brought it up long shot at best. 6'3" 195 QB would be nice though. It's nice to dream though.

[BOOGIE WOOGIE MAN]

Probably shouldn't have brought it up long shot at best. 6'3" 195 QB would be nice though. It's nice to dream though.

The potential QB you're talking about hasn't played FB since 8th grade but was an exceptional QB then, will be a senior, and has been playing and excelling in both Baseball & Basketball. Correct?

If so, he is a very good athlete and plenty smart enough to learn the system. Not real fast on the hoof, but has a cannon of an arm with pin point accuracy. Could make the difference in adding another game at the end of next season.

Also, not very many people realize just how good next years Junior class really is. They were undefeated in 6th grade JFL, undefeated in 7th grade, undefeated in 8th grade until a loss to Butler Co. in the State Championship Game, undefeated on Frosh and JV teams as Freshmen. Probably makes them about 50-1 over that 4 year period. Several played big roles on Varsity last year and this year and a few really played awesome on JV this year.

Could be possible to have a GOOSE EGG in the Loss Column the next year or two!! I did say Possible not Probable. We will be playing some VERY GOOD TEAMS.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

That is correct. Some say his best sport would have been football had he kept playing. Learning the system wouldn't be the problem. the problem would be the speed of the game. It's not Jr. high anymore.

[Ramcat77]

I've never been a big fan of the kids who stop playing after junior high and then decide before their senior year that they want to come out and play, I don't care how good they are.

[Scotty_Bronson]

I agree with that statement. I think we would be better off getting a Soph or Jr in there. That way you get someone capable of being the QB for multiple years and get someone behind him learning to run the offense as well. Having the backfield we will have next year, would relieve the youg QB of having to force things and let him make short and decisive passes and utilize the run game.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

I've never been a big fan of the kids who stop playing after junior high and then decide before their senior year that they want to come out and play, I don't care how good they are.

Why is that? I'd like to hear your reasoning.

[Ramcat77]

I just don't think it's fair to the players who have been there since day one of their freshmen year. Why is it now that this kid is just now considering playing? Is it because he thinks he has what it takes to be the starting QB?

I'm honestly not trying to start an argument, I'm merely expressing my opinion. I felt the same way when I played way back during the last century.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

First of all as far as I know the kid is not considering playing. There is a rumor that several kids that haven't played since Jr.high are going to come out. Secondly football is a numbers game. are you saying you would turn players away that would help you win games and create depth? 3rdly if Connor messer hadn't played since jr. high are you saying you wouldn't take him if he had come out his senior year? 4thly.....it's football how hard could it be?

[Ramcat77]

First of all as far as I know the kid is not considering playing. There is a rumor that several kids that haven't played since Jr.high are going to come out. Secondly football is a numbers game. are you saying you would turn players away that would help you win games and create depth? 3rdly if Connor messer hadn't played since jr. high are you saying you wouldn't take him if he had come out his senior year? 4thly.....it's football how hard could it be?

Dude, I'm merely stating my opinion. A kid coming out to create depth and kid coming out to take a starting spot are different situations.

[Scotty_Bronson]

I also think that with the issues the basketball team has had over the last few seasons you may see some more kids come out. You may have more kids out that have never played as well. I think our numbers will be higher than they have ever been next year. Good numbers in the feeder system ensure that will happen for the next several years. when i was in 7th and 8th grade, we mixed everything up and the best 11, no matter what grade, played. Now we have 2 seperate squads and each seems to have plenty o the sideline as the game is going on. Id say there was probably 15-20 kids in each class, Maybe more. A very Good sign, atleast in numbers. The more that come out to play, the more options you have to find tallent.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

Dude, I'm merely stating my opinion. A kid coming out to create depth and kid coming out to take a starting spot are different situations.

I respect your opinion. If the Kid is the best man for the job what's the problem? if you've been at it for 3 or 4 years and a first year guy can come out and take your position I would think its time to find something else to do. I'm not big on that he's been here longer thing anyway. Play your best players.
Sports at a high school are an extracurricular activity anyway. Can they turn anyone down that wants to play?