Russell vs. Ashland

**FBALL** · 09-13-2008, 01:03 PM

This should be the game of the week IMO. Bitter rivals and always a close game no matter who is favored.

**jgrubby** · 09-13-2008, 01:37 PM

I think you have a good point FBALL. I agree, its going to be closer than most people think. Ashland plays Russell like their is no other game that year. It has always been a great rivalry year after year. Doesn't matter if either school has a down year its always a great game.

**FBALL** · 09-13-2008, 01:44 PM

Ashland's defense was very solid against Ironton. Russell has had Three pretty easy games in a row. Hopefully the Red Devils come out fired up and stay strong physically and mentally. I have a feeling they are going to need every bit of extra effort to get past the Tomcats in Putnam Stadium.

**bac2369** · 09-13-2008, 02:15 PM

I agree this should be the pick um game of the week but you have to realize there are 5 more games worth this spot as well.
Corbin vs South Laurel
Fairview and Raceland
Letcher Central vs Clay
Mercer Co vs Southwestern
And My vote or my prediction for game of the week
Bell vs Rock

**FBALL** · 09-13-2008, 02:28 PM

bac2369 Wrote:I agree this should be the pick um game of the week but you have to realize there are 5 more games worth this spot as well.
Corbin vs South Laurel
Fairview and Raceland
Letcher Central vs Clay
Mercer Co vs Southwestern
And My vote or my prediction for game of the week
Bell vs Rock

Maybe Bell County vs Rockcastle. The rest no.

**BlackcatAlum** · 09-13-2008, 02:30 PM

Should be a very interesting game. I'll take Russell in a late, late touchdown.

Best of luck to both!

kybaseball · (This post was last modified: 09-13-2008, 05:59 PM by kybaseball.)

Game of the week without question. Earlier I thought Russell would win rather easily despite this being Ashland's state championship game. After their tough performance against Ironton Ashland has to be pumped up. I still think Russell will win but it will be a game like their first meeting with Mason last year.I hope both teams come out of this meeting without a lot of injuries.

GO RED DEVILS!

**FBALL** · 09-13-2008, 07:01 PM

kybaseball Wrote:Game of the week without question. Earlier I thought Russell would win rather easily despite this being Ashland's state championship game. After their tough performance against Ironton Ashland has to be pumped up. I still think Russell will win but it will be a game like their first meeting with Mason last year.I hope both teams come out of this meeting without a lot of injuries.

GO RED DEVILS!

I think it will be a hard fought game. But I hope it is nothing like the first Mason/Russell game last year. That was the sloppiest game I had seen a Russell team play in a long time.

kybaseball · 09-13-2008, 07:58 PM

FBALL Wrote:I think it will be a hard fought game. But I hope it is nothing like the first Mason/Russell game last year. That was the sloppiest game I had seen a Russell team play in a long time.

It was sloppy but it was a nail biter and a hard fought game. That's what I figure this one will be as well.

EKY Sportster · 09-13-2008, 09:45 PM

I'll have to give the edge to the Red Devils! But Ashland is certainly capable of winning this one, especially at Putnam. Good luck Tomcats!!

**DEVILOLOGIST** · 09-13-2008, 10:02 PM

35-24

red_devils_rule · 09-13-2008, 10:56 PM

28-14 Russell

**GOREDDEVILS** · 09-13-2008, 11:12 PM

Russell 28

Ashland 10

BelfryPirates · 09-13-2008, 11:17 PM

Ashland 28
Russell 27

**Tomcat68** · 09-14-2008, 04:44 AM

kybaseball Wrote:Game of the week without question. Earlier I thought Russell would win rather easily despite this being Ashland's state championship game. After their tough performance against Ironton Ashland has to be pumped up. I still think Russell will win but it will be a game like their first meeting with Mason last year.I hope both teams come out of this meeting without a lot of injuries.

GO RED DEVILS!

Year in and year out, the Russell game is typically the 3rd and occassionally the 4th biggest game on the Ashland player's schedule, although there are also many years when the game cracks #2. Ironton is always a lock at #1 followed by a district champion challenger at #2 (Johnson Central, Mason County, Lawrence Co, Sheldon Clark), then comes a toss up between Russell and Boyd Co.

Anyways, with that note out of the way, Ashland only has 1 way to win this game. They must keep the ball on the ground offensively. Ashland has had more than a half dozen drives stall this year because of inefficiencies in the passing game. In most of those situations, they weren't forced to pass, but chose to do so in 1st and 10 situations placing the rest of the downs of the drive in jeopardy.

I feel confident in Ashland's ability to contain, maintain, and slow down (not stop) Russell's rushing attack as long as assignments are played correctly on the backside. Russell's big plays will most likely be a result of their much improving passing game which will be deciding factor within the game. If Russell is able to move the ball through the air with efficiency, they will win this game. If Ashland can stop the Russell passing game, they will win.

Ashland - 23
Russell - 20
F/2OT

**jgrubby** · 09-14-2008, 09:54 AM

Tomcat68 Wrote:Year in and year out, the Russell game is typically the 3rd and occassionally the 4th biggest game on the Ashland player's schedule, although there are also many years when the game cracks #2. Ironton is always a lock at #1 followed by a district champion challenger at #2 (Johnson Central, Mason County, Lawrence Co, Sheldon Clark), then comes a toss up between Russell and Boyd Co.

Anyways, with that note out of the way, Ashland only has 1 way to win this game. They must keep the ball on the ground offensively. Ashland has had more than a half dozen drives stall this year because of inefficiencies in the passing game. In most of those situations, they weren't forced to pass, but chose to do so in 1st and 10 situations placing the rest of the downs of the drive in jeopardy.

I feel confident in Ashland's ability to contain, maintain, and slow down (not stop) Russell's rushing attack as long as assignments are played correctly on the backside. Russell's big plays will most likely be a result of their much improving passing game which will be deciding factor within the game. If Russell is able to move the ball through the air with efficiency, they will win this game. If Ashland can stop the Russell passing game, they will win.

Ashland - 23
Russell - 20
F/2OT

I agree with you on this post. Russell will not have a cake walk. The pass defense is getting better and better each game. Ashland has some big boys Russell isn't as beefy as they have been in the past. Look for this week a serious practice on containg the option/ middle run. Ashland is looking for that big break, hopefully Russell doesn't show up flat like they did Mason last year. Good luck Tomcats its going to be one "hella" of a contest. Oh, one thing I don't agree with is the score, you kinda got it backwards...
Russell 23
Ashland 20.

Pupaw · 09-14-2008, 10:41 AM

The Red Devils will escape out of Putnam with a W.
Red Devils-13
Tomcats-7

Beetle01 · 09-14-2008, 02:26 PM

Tomcat68 any game that goes into OT will be a huge advantage for Ashland, probably being in much better shape. Russell starters have only played past the first possession in the 3rd quarter one time this year.

This will be a test of the linebackers and dline stopping the run. Ashland's passing game is basically non existent.
I would honeslty like to see Russell switch to a 5-3 and give some of the backs who play both ways a break on D and bring in more size for run support.

kybaseball · (This post was last modified: 09-14-2008, 07:23 PM by kybaseball.)

Just curious is Mason,Lawrence and Sheldon Clark in the same district as Ashland?:confused:

**FBALL** · 09-14-2008, 07:26 PM

kybaseball Wrote:Just curious isis Mason,Lawrence and Sheldon Clark in the same district as Ashland?:confused:

No, but they used to be at one point. I think what he was saying is that Russell is not as big of a game as whoever is supposed to win their district.

Don't let the Ashland fans sandbag you. They would rather beat Russell more than anybody except for maybe Ironton. Maybe even Raceland now since the Tomcats can't figure out a way to beat them either. Some will down play the game due to it being game week and they are the underdogs. But neither school likes each other and it is a bitter rivalry.

Its not their State Championship though. That would be Raceland wanting to beat Russell.

kybaseball · (This post was last modified: 09-14-2008, 07:49 PM by kybaseball.)

FBALL Wrote:No, but they used to be at one point. I think what he was saying is that Russell is not as big of a game as whoever is supposed to win their district.

Don't let the Ashland fans sandbag you. They would rather beat Russell more than anybody except for maybe Ironton. Maybe even Raceland now since the Tomcats can't figure out a way to beat them either. Some will down play the game due to it being game week and they are the underdogs. But neither school likes each other and it is a bitter rivalry.

Its not their State Championship though. That would be Raceland wanting to beat Russell.

I think everbody in KY would love to beat Ironton. Smile

I know Ashland is like a lot of other teams around who would love to beat Russell. It's just a hard thing to do.:Thumbs:Russell is the bar setter in these parts and they have set it pretty high.

**FBALL** · 09-14-2008, 07:43 PM

kybaseball Wrote:I think everbody in KY would love to beat Ironton. I know Ashland is like a lot of other teams around who would love to beat Russell. It's just a hard thing to do.:Thumbs:Russell is the bar setter in these parts and they sit it pretty high.

Ashland sets the bar around here as well. That is why Russell/Ashland in anything has become such a rivalry. Despite a down year last year record wise the Tomcats are still the biggest school in the immediate area and everybody, including Russell, loves a chance at beating them.

kybaseball · 09-14-2008, 07:52 PM

True! I didn't mean any disrespect to Ashland.

devil58 · 09-14-2008, 11:39 PM

This has always been a big rivalry game that was traditionally dominated by Ashland prior to McGlone arriving at Russell for the 1976 football season...Russell had only won a few times prior to his arrival...Ashland leads the all-time series 31-21 but Russell owns a 4 or 5 game advantage during the 32 seasons McGlone has roamed the sidelines at Russell...

As others have stated you can throw out records when these 2 teams meet and the favorite does not always win...In 2001, the heavily favored Arliss Beach led Tomcats left Henry R. Evans Stadium with a stinging loss...Then, in 2006 the only blemish on Russell's record prior to losing 15-12 to 5A Mercer County in the 3A championship game was a 3 OT loss to the Tomcats...

Over the last 10 years Russell enjoys a 6-4 record against the Tomcats...The games have been tightly contested with few exceptions and several have gone down to the wire...There are only 3 games in the last 10 years that have been decided by 2 touchdowns or more (Russell won 2 of those)...Take away those 3 games and the average margin of victory is less than a touchdown at 5.7 points...There have been 2 OT games (both won by Ashland), a 3 point victory, 1 point victory, and 4 point victory...See a pattern?? That's why this game is so highly anticipated and (barring bad weather) will be the biggest crowd at Putnam Stadium this year...

I saw Ashland in week one against Raceland and Ashland was the better team in the second half of that game...Yes, Raceland had some turnovers and I believe they are the better team overall, but they were outplayed by Ashland in the second half...I expect the type of effort they gave against Pikeville...Pikeville is not a horrible team and they were blasted 47-0 by Ashland...It will take a strong effort by Russell to win this game...I believe from top to bottom they are the better team but, as history shows us, the better team does not always win rivalry games...

red_devils_rule · 09-15-2008, 01:10 AM

devil58 Wrote:This has always been a big rivalry game that was traditionally dominated by Ashland prior to McGlone arriving at Russell for the 1976 football season...Russell had only won a few times prior to his arrival...Ashland leads the all-time series 31-21 but Russell owns a 4 or 5 game advantage during the 32 seasons McGlone has roamed the sidelines at Russell...

As others have stated you can throw out records when these 2 teams meet and the favorite does not always win...In 2001, the heavily favored Arliss Beach led Tomcats left Henry R. Evans Stadium with a stinging loss...Then, in 2006 the only blemish on Russell's record prior to losing 15-12 to 5A Mercer County in the 3A championship game was a 3 OT loss to the Tomcats...

Over the last 10 years Russell enjoys a 6-4 record against the Tomcats...The games have been tightly contested with few exceptions and several have gone down to the wire...There are only 3 games in the last 10 years that have been decided by 2 touchdowns or more (Russell won 2 of those)...Take away those 3 games and the average margin of victory is less than a touchdown at 5.7 points...There have been 2 OT games (both won by Ashland), a 3 point victory, 1 point victory, and 4 point victory...See a pattern?? That's why this game is so highly anticipated and (barring bad weather) will be the biggest crowd at Putnam Stadium this year...

I saw Ashland in week one against Raceland and Ashland was the better team in the second half of that game...Yes, Raceland had some turnovers and I believe they are the better team overall, but they were outplayed by Ashland in the second half...I expect the type of effort they gave against Pikeville...Pikeville is not a horrible team and they were blasted 47-0 by Ashland...It will take a strong effort by Russell to win this game...I believe from top to bottom they are the better team but, as history shows us, the better team does not always win rivalry games...

I agree with you 100% on that it's not who has the better team thats always win's

**DevilsWin** · 09-15-2008, 01:19 AM

Russell has owned this series since 1970.

Devil09 · 09-15-2008, 01:42 AM

devil58 Wrote:This has always been a big rivalry game that was traditionally dominated by Ashland prior to McGlone arriving at Russell for the 1976 football season...Russell had only won a few times prior to his arrival...Ashland leads the all-time series 31-21 but Russell owns a 4 or 5 game advantage during the 32 seasons McGlone has roamed the sidelines at Russell...

As others have stated you can throw out records when these 2 teams meet and the favorite does not always win...In 2001, the heavily favored Arliss Beach led Tomcats left Henry R. Evans Stadium with a stinging loss...Then, in 2006 the only blemish on Russell's record prior to losing 15-12 to 5A Mercer County in the 3A championship game was a 3 OT loss to the Tomcats...

Over the last 10 years Russell enjoys a 6-4 record against the Tomcats...The games have been tightly contested with few exceptions and several have gone down to the wire...There are only 3 games in the last 10 years that have been decided by 2 touchdowns or more (Russell won 2 of those)...Take away those 3 games and the average margin of victory is less than a touchdown at 5.7 points...There have been 2 OT games (both won by Ashland), a 3 point victory, 1 point victory, and 4 point victory...See a pattern?? That's why this game is so highly anticipated and (barring bad weather) will be the biggest crowd at Putnam Stadium this year...

I saw Ashland in week one against Raceland and Ashland was the better team in the second half of that game...Yes, Raceland had some turnovers and I believe they are the better team overall, but they were outplayed by Ashland in the second half...I expect the type of effort they gave against Pikeville...Pikeville is not a horrible team and they were blasted 47-0 by Ashland...It will take a strong effort by Russell to win this game...I believe from top to bottom they are the better team but, as history shows us, the better team does not always win rivalry games...

It's all about the big boys on the line.

Beetle01 · 09-15-2008, 09:36 AM

Gonna need a huge game from the D. Especially the dline and backers. I hope the Russell boys are ready for this game. Ashland is going to bring it Friday. Their entire fan base is pumped thinking they are going to whip up on Russell. Everyone, especially Raceland fans are rooting against you all.

**DEVILOLOGIST** · 09-15-2008, 11:29 AM

Let'em root, the best rooters are PIGS!!!
i guess we will see who comes out with crap on their noses!!!! HAHAHA

**FBALL** · 09-15-2008, 03:57 PM

Beetle01 Wrote:Gonna need a huge game from the D. Especially the dline and backers. I hope the Russell boys are ready for this game. Ashland is going to bring it Friday. Their entire fan base is pumped thinking they are going to whip up on Russell. Everyone, especially Raceland fans are rooting against you all.

Yep. Ashland will be pumped. Its going to take the best effort of the year so far to come out of Putnam with a win.