[T-CATS]

Tomcats scrimmage tonight at Huntington WVA and then focus their attention on the Rams. Both teams have high expectations and return a lot of talent. This is one of the best opening season games in Eastern Kentucky if not the entire State. Thoughts?

[Bull got out!]

I like this as a early game for both teams.

[Jarons]

This is definitely a good opening game for both teams. It will be much closer than last years 34-7 dominate victory for the Rams. We will learn a lot about both teams in this game. I don't know enough about either team to make a firm prediction. My head says Ashland, but I'm hoping for a Rams win.

[T-CATS]

This is from a few weeks back Ashland looks to have a strong OL this season.

[Foozeball23]

It's always hard to pick between these two programs. Always fireworks

[Patriot1]

How many teams was at that Boyd County event and I think Raceland is going to spank some putty cats hind end like my good old buddy PJDoug would say

[ArmChairHC]

This one will be a tough out for both groups. Ashland is looking to avenge the most lopsided loss for them in this rivalry in my lifetime anyway. Jennings and Stroder return along with a group of lineman that got a lot of reps last year and I expect the Tomcats to be VASTLY improved from a year ago as they seemed to find their stride late last season.

Raceland on the other hand is looking to prove last year was no fluke and that they have turned the corner in terms of being the consistent power program in NEKY. Imo, Raceland has more pressure going into Putnam where you are instantly a 7 point underdog. This should be a great match up for both teams that are looking to improve on where they were a year ago. This one looks more like the 06-08 match ups to me…

Raceland 23
Ashland 17

[Bull got out!]

Will this game be streamed?

[T-CATS]

Will this game be streamed?

Yes My Town TV

[T-CATS]

As far as the lineman challenge most area schools Russell Greenup East West Carter Boyd etc participate year in and out so guessing 8-12 teams. Looked for a Jackson Oh- Ashland scrimmage thread last week couldn’t find one but hearing Ashland looks good. Scrimmage tonight against Defending State Champ Huntington will give Tackett and staff things to work on next week for sure.

[Patriot1]

As far as the lineman challenge most area schools Russell Greenup East West Carter Boyd etc participate year in and out so guessing 8-12 teams. Looked for a Jackson Oh- Ashland scrimmage thread last week couldn’t find one but hearing Ashland looks good. Scrimmage tonight against Defending State Champ Huntington will give Tackett and staff things to work on next week for sure.

I will watch this one and love Coach Tackett and he definitely has big red blood in him great guy and coach and hope nothing but the best for him and Ashland putty cats

[T-CATS]

Raceland has won 2 straight and the Tomcats have had this game circled since last seasons embarrassing performance. This is Ashland’s last season playing on natural grass and I’m positive this game will be standing room only. Both teams will be amped up and ready to go and the team who wins the turnover battle wins this game. I think Ashland finds its groove and pulls away to win late 28-21. Will be an electric atmosphere at Putnam next Friday.

[Orange Blaze]

IMO this a must win game for Raceland in terms of setting up positive momentum going into a tough front end of the schedule. Ashland will be much improved from last year and this game will look more like the close games that have been between the Rams and Tomcats in the past. I think Raceland wins in a close game but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ashland win either.

[Orange Blaze]

Not having any offensive production in the scrimmage against Burg needs to get fixed before next week. Ashland has the weapons to score points and if we can’t match them then we will be leaving Putnam with an L.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

Offense was a struggle tonight against burg. As I understand it ashland struggled offensively against Huntington as well. This may be a titanic defensive struggle. Rams have nowhere to go but up with the offensive line. Only one returning starter from a year ago. Just hope for improvement from week to week. I would assume both teams were very vanilla in the scrimmages as well. Top running back didn’t play at all for Raceland tonight. I think Raceland had some freshmen in the backfield as well during the varsity portion. I’m going with a toss up for next week.

[16thregioner]

QB - Draw
Lundy and Strader are as similar as it gets.

RB - Ashland
This is close as neither team has any proven game breakers, but I give Ashland the nod with their NFL pedigree and well put together backups.

WR - Ashland
Clear advantage for Ashland here with Houston and Adkins.

LINES - Ashland
Ashland has more experience so I assume the Tomcats would have an advantage, although I don’t believe either team has any elite line players.

DEF - Raceland
This will be the Rams calling card with their 4 leading tacklers returning. Ashland has a lot to replace.

COACH - Ashland
They clearly got better over the season last year. Tackett has been to the big game and actually won. Salmons’ teams always seem to underperform when the lights shine the brightest.

SPECIAL TEAMS - Draw
Both teams have good young depth and neither team has elite kicking so I anticipate a pretty even matchup here.

All that said, Ashland wins this one with the home field advantage 20-14.

[Fanman]

Ashland by 2 touchdowns

[RAMDAD50]

Not a lot of faith from Ram fans in this one after last nights showing. There are a ton of question marks for the Rams. Lundy is one of those good high school qbs that you miss after they graduate. For me he’s never really taken that next step and gotten better. He’s a three year starter and I swear I see no difference between his sophomore year and now. As several others have pointed out the Rams are without a stud. They have a bunch of kids that can play but no home run hitter. I see that being a problem this year.When you see us on the field next to better competition it will show much more. As far as Assland goes…..if I was Chad I would throw the ball about 35 times to the sidelines. I would run Raceland east and west all night long and when the fourth quarter hits you’ll see the Rams wear down. The Ram fans better understand the schedule this year. When we are sitting at 5-5 I don’t wanna hear any complaints because we’ve been asking for stiffer competition for years. Now we gotta suffer through it to take the next step for the program. Be patient and hopefully in a few years you’ll see the pay off. This year and next will not be a normal season for the Rams when it comes to the wins/ loss columns.

Assland 35
Raceland 13

[Orange Blaze]

After the losses from graduation last year I thought we would have some struggles filling new spots. This team is going to have to weather those growing pains fast because we won’t have an “easy” game until district play and I hope I’m wrong but we might not have a win yet by that point. Finding a way to win these first 2 games are crucial for building some early momentum and keeping morale up.

[Running wild 14]

Who did Raceland play last night

[Jarons]

Who did Raceland play last night

Wheelersburg

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

Ahhh….it’s not all that bad.!let’s se how this team responds. Should have everybody healthy except for one guy next week. Line play has to get better and the kids know that. Starting lineman that was out against burg will be back. Lundy will be better.!kids a gamer. Putting way to much pressure on hisself right now. All the Rams have to do is keep it together to get where they want week 1 in the playoffs.

[i82much]

C'mon now.....all I've heard since the championship game last year is how we are loaded and this year will be our best chance for our first state championship. We have what we perceive as a poor scrimmage and now we're jumping ship?? I've never watched a Wheelersburg football game in my life but I'm guessing they have a pretty good football team. And guess what, win or lose this week at Ashland means little in the big picture. It's about peaking at the end of the season not looking mid-season form in a scrimmage or week one. I'm still picking the Rams in this one, even though I also have a lot of confidence that the young Tomcats will find their mojo and make some noise in 4A this season.

[ArmChairHC]

I’m not jumping ship. I’ve said we could go 4-6 in the regular season bc of the schedule. Even at 4-6 we will be a top 2-5 team in the class and have a good a shot as anyone not named Pikeville to win a title. It just concerns me a bit that we couldn’t put points on the board.

[Orange Blaze]

C'mon now.....all I've heard since the championship game last year is how we are loaded and this year will be our best chance for our first state championship. We have what we perceive as a poor scrimmage and now we're jumping ship??  I've never watched a Wheelersburg football game in my life but I'm guessing they have a pretty good football team. And guess what, win or lose this week at Ashland means little in the big picture. It's about peaking at the end of the season not looking mid-season form in a scrimmage or week one. I'm still picking the Rams in this one, even though I also have a lot of confidence that the young Tomcats will find their mojo and make some noise in 4A this season.

I thought last year was our real shot and this year would be a slightly down year.  Graduation hit us hard especially up front.  I think we will still have a decent team but not as good as we were last year.  

As for the regular season I really do think we will struggle because it’s not padded for easy wins like it’s been in the past and we have games that we will likely lose by multiple scores.  We will know more about where we stand in Class A when we face Pikeville, NCC, and Hazard.

[Hoot Gibson]

If Ashland can't handle a 1A team at home, then they will have no chance winning their 4A district this season. I think that Ashland should win this game easily but Raceland has repeatedly gone into Putnam and won over the years. Ashland by 21.

[jetpilot]

If Ashland can't handle a 1A team at home, then they will have no chance winning their 4A district this season. I think that Ashland should win this game easily but Raceland has repeatedly gone into Putnam and won over the years. Ashland by 21.

Raceland is several scores better than the other teams in Ashland's 4A district. Ashland could lose to Raceland at home and still breeze through their 4A district.

[Hoot Gibson]

If Ashland can't handle a 1A team at home, then they will have no chance winning their 4A district this season. I think that Ashland should win this game easily but Raceland has repeatedly gone into Putnam and won over the years. Ashland by 21.

Raceland is several scores better than the other teams in Ashland's 4A district. Ashland could lose to Raceland at home and still breeze through their 4A district.

If Ashland loses at home to Raceland, the Tomcats will have very little chance of beating JC on the road and that game will decide the district title. Stranger things have happened but a loss on Friday will make Ashland a longshot to win the district.

[jetpilot]

If Ashland can't handle a 1A team at home, then they will have no chance winning their 4A district this season. I think that Ashland should win this game easily but Raceland has repeatedly gone into Putnam and won over the years. Ashland by 21.

Raceland is several scores better than the other teams in Ashland's 4A district. Ashland could lose to Raceland at home and still breeze through their 4A district.

If Ashland loses at home to Raceland, the Tomcats will have very little chance of beating JC on the road and that game will decide the district title.

My bad, didn't realize JC was in that district. Was talking about Rowan Boyd and Greenup.

[Hoot Gibson]

Every regular season game is a big game for Ashland and Johnson Central. IMO, their 4A district is the toughest one in the state. Which every team wins the district needs to have the best possible RPI going forward. I am not sure when the RPI is applied this season, but going on the road against Covington Catholic, Corbin, Boyle County, etc. should be avoided if at all possible. Raceland is a very important game for Ashland and Pikeville is a key matchup for JC.