[charliez]

I think some decision was made about Storm running the ball before the game because it doesn't make sense not to at least try him ONCE! Especially after the run I saw him make in a earlier game. You can't expect great effort from a back either on d or blocking if they never get the ball & never get the chance to even try. At some point the frustration affects your play. It could have been because he was late coming in ,who knows? I don't think you can lay the blame on anyone player or coach it was an issue of the team. Good luck Belfry you should make it all the way.

[ryanparker]

Let me ask you "in the know" Russell fans a question regarding next season. I have read on here all season long about the lack of leadership and discipline that plagued this Russell team this year. Can you tell me if the players who caused this lack of leadership and discipline are graduating? I surely hope brighter days are ahead for the Russell football program.

I don't have any inside information, but just from watching them play and their demeanor on the sidelines, I would think that next year's seniors are going to be a good bunch in the leadership and discipline categories. If they can work some talented underclassmen into the mix and if everyone knows and accepts their roles, then maybe Russell can be fun to watch next year.

As for the complaints about Coach McGlone...I think every Russell fan including myself has wondered at one time or another why we aren't passing more or running a particular play here or there. When I really think about it, though, Coach McGlone has won a lot of games doing things the way he does them and I respect his consistency. This decade of Russell football has had quite a few teams that excelled in his system so I really don't think this team has a world of room to complain.

The fact is that the players coming up through the system know what they are going to be asked to do when it is time to play at the varsity level. Heck, Coach McGlone is so consistent that they could have been practicing the plays since their JFL days! It is up to each one of them to find their role, embrace it, and excel at it. When you have a team full of guys who do this, that is really fun to watch. Russell has had a few of those teams this decade. I hope next year's team is like that.

I think the discipline needs to be enforced not only by the coaches, but also by the respected leaders on the team. I can think of a few prime candidates to fill that role next year. It will just be a matter of how much having a great senior season means to them.

[ryanparker]

I think some decision was made about Storm running the ball before the game because it doesn't make sense not to at least try him ONCE! Especially after the run I saw him make in a earlier game. You can't expect great effort from a back either on d or blocking if they never get the ball & never get the chance to even try. At some point the frustration affects your play. It could have been because he was late coming in ,who knows? I don't think you can lay the blame on anyone player or coach it was an issue of the team. Good luck Belfry you should make it all the way.

Maybe this was the problem. Every team needs a guy or two to carry the load and bunch of other guys to believe in the guys that were chosen to carry the load.

[pitchfork]

Let me ask you "in the know" Russell fans a question regarding next season. I have read on here all season long about the lack of leadership and discipline that plagued this Russell team this year. Can you tell me if the players who caused this lack of leadership and discipline are graduating? I surely hope brighter days are ahead for the Russell football program.

I don't have any inside information, but just from watching them play and their demeanor on the sidelines, I would think that next year's seniors are going to be a good bunch in the leadership and discipline categories. If they can work some talented underclassmen into the mix and if everyone knows and accepts their roles, then maybe Russell can be fun to watch next year.

As for the complaints about Coach McGlone...I think every Russell fan including myself has wondered at one time or another why we aren't passing more or running a particular play here or there. When I really think about it, though, Coach McGlone has won a lot of games doing things the way he does them and I respect his consistency. This decade of Russell football has had quite a few teams that excelled in his system so I really don't think this team has a world of room to complain.

The fact is that the players coming up through the system know what they are going to be asked to do when it is time to play at the varsity level. Heck, Coach McGlone is so consistent that they could have been practicing the plays since their JFL days! It is up to each one of them to find their role, embrace it, and excel at it. When you have a team full of guys who do this, that is really fun to watch. Russell has had a few of those teams this decade. I hope next year's team is like that.

I think the discipline needs to be enforced not only by the coaches, but also by the respected leaders on the team. I can think of a few prime candidates to fill that role next year. It will just be a matter of how much having a great senior season means to them.

I would have to say YES. And no. Have you ever heard of senioritis. It's is a itis that sets in when you are going to be a senior and THINK you "R" the stuff. It comes around every few yrs. I hope it has run it's course and next yrs team has the hunger and fight to not let it take hold. Just because WE "R" Russell does not mean other teams play dead. Everybody knows that the Wing-T is all about exacution and misdirection. You don't exacute it does not work. BUT if you have lineman that just will not block no matter what you run it won't work.
As for discipline. It has got to happen or next yrs team will be one step worse. As a coach it is there responsiblity to demand discipline and if a player won't abide he stand on the sideline. PERIOD. All it takes is to let one slide by and then the cancer has been planted. These problems should have been taken care of yrs ago. The team sees if you start a kid that has been a problem or should defiantly not be starting and it keeps being over looked. There again the cancer has been planted.
With all this said. Next yrs group from watching them play in the past
don't "beleive" it will set in. Next yrs seniors should have everyone of them in Jan. commit to give all they have, never quit,and remember that you will be representing the Red Devils for the 12 mths. Wear the maroon & gold with pride. Cause next season starts in Jan. stronger, quicker, faster and let the dice fall where they may. And Graduate with pride. :Clap: :Clap: :Clap:

[redleg]

Two years ago, when Russell shut out Belfry at Cam , some of these same questions were being asked by some of the Pirate faithful about Coach Haywood. I think there was even a thread on here about wanting Haywood to retire. Since that game, the Pirates have won 26 out of 27 games. For the fan bases of teams like these, it's hard to take losses like last night. Switch coaching staffs and I think the Pirates still win this game big. 300 win coaches are few and far between and we witnessed 2 on the same field last night.

[FBALL]

I dont think anyone is suggesting to throw anyone under a bus!! [color="Red"]BUT : anyone who knows anything about football and has followed this team knows they have under achieved this year! And it is the coaches responsibility to coach these young men and give them a chance to succeed! This staff clearly dropped the ball this season, they started going down hill and Ivan made no adjustments! The season speaks for itself!
You coach a power game when you have the players to do that
.

Ivan is usually very conservative. Always has been and has always been criticized for it. Its hard to coach a team with no heart and a bad attitude. IMO opinion the worst coaching move of the season was not giving the entire team an attitude adjustment early on.

[kydad]

well first congrats to belfry you played a good game. that said i have held my tongue all year but its done now and everyone has said all year long there is no leadership on this russell team and they have no heart well i know most of these boys and they have both but the problem with this team isnt leadership and heart it was respect for each other and faith in each other.the senior boys had all of these but they didnt have control of there fate.you put disrespectful juniors in the mix and a coaching staff that will only show faith in one player to lead the team and a complete unwillingness to change and doom is all that is left. #13 #3 #88 #72 are great kids and will never be disrespectful but also dont have the outstanding personality that a casey or a tyler did doesnt mean they had any less heart. It started with coaching this year. they ran the plays they wanted with the players they wanted didnt matter if they worked didnt matter if the kids blocked didnt matter if the kids were disrespectful to other players or even coaches they knew they werent getting pulled out. so hey we can do what ever we have next year to quote one junior. then you get a gift in the form of #44 and what do you do nothing if that kid had been on the line on offense there would have been a hole for #13and#38and#30and#34 or even have him in the back field to help out with carries he would run over people. and why did the coaches waste practice time every week on plays for certain teams only to never actually call them in the game. why not give the qb some options when it comes to the pass when you only have one receiver going out and there are 3to4 guys covering him you cant think this is actually going to work but you cant even look for anyone else because thy are all standing at the line of scrimage just hanging out . my only wish was that for even one half of one game this year these senior boys would have control of there own fate that they could of played there own game with there own plays and the players where they new they would work. that would have been an awsome sight. to the russell faithful i wish you luck in the comming years I hope the coaches get control of the players again and decide they want to be coaches again. to my senior boys I am sorry you didnt get your chance to shine

[SmackDaddy2]

I would have to say YES. And no. Have you ever heard of senioritis. It's is a itis that sets in when you are going to be a senior and THINK you "R" the stuff. It comes around every few yrs. I hope it has run it's course and next yrs team has the hunger and fight to not let it take hold. Just because WE "R" Russell does not mean other teams play dead. Everybody knows that the Wing-T is all about exacution and misdirection. You don't exacute it does not work. BUT if you have lineman that just will not block no matter what you run it won't work.
As for discipline. It has got to happen or next yrs team will be one step worse. As a coach it is there responsiblity to demand discipline and if a player won't abide he stand on the sideline. PERIOD. All it takes is to let one slide by and then the cancer has been planted. These problems should have been taken care of yrs ago. The team sees if you start a kid that has been a problem or should defiantly not be starting and it keeps being over looked. There again the cancer has been planted.
With all this said. Next yrs group from watching them play in the past
don't "beleive" it will set in. Next yrs seniors should have everyone of them in Jan. commit to give all they have, never quit,and remember that you will be representing the Red Devils for the 12 mths. Wear the maroon & gold with pride. Cause next season starts in Jan. stronger, quicker, faster and let the dice fall where they may. And Graduate with pride. :Clap: :Clap: :Clap:

I agree with you some but when you have linemen that will not block you pull them even if they are the coaches sons! I truly dont get it when some of the posters say there was no discipline on this team! I was pretty close to this team and the only lack of leadership was that most of these guys are too quiet to lead! Fine young men just not real vocal guys! I sit in the stands here people talk about Ivan leaving, really wishing for it! Ex players talk about his inability to motivate, and how sometimes they would call there own plays because they knew what he was calling wouldnt work! A great coach adapts to his players! Ivan never does! He has no weight lifting program and hangs out in the Gym for Spring practice! But I dont believe in beating people up and most of the people around Russell have seen it for a long time now! Russell should have more state champ banners than Danville and Fort Thomas put together! They have had a ton of talent to work with and gotten very little from them over the years!

[SmackDaddy2]

well first congrats to belfry you played a good game. that said i have held my tongue all year but its done now and everyone has said all year long there is no leadership on this russell team and they have no heart well i know most of these boys and they have both but the problem with this team isnt leadership and heart it was respect for each other and faith in each other.the senior boys had all of these but they didnt have control of there fate.you put disrespectful juniors in the mix and a coaching staff that will only show faith in one player to lead the team and a complete unwillingness to change and doom is all that is left. #13 #3 #88 #72 are great kids and will never be disrespectful but also dont have the outstanding personality that a casey or a tyler did doesnt mean they had any less heart. It started with coaching this year. they ran the plays they wanted with the players they wanted didnt matter if they worked didnt matter if the kids blocked didnt matter if the kids were disrespectful to other players or even coaches they knew they werent getting pulled out. so hey we can do what ever we have next year to quote one junior. then you get a gift in the form of #44 and what do you do nothing if that kid had been on the line on offense there would have been a hole for #13and#38and#30and#34 or even have him in the back field to help out with carries he would run over people. and why did the coaches waste practice time every week on plays for certain teams only to never actually call them in the game. why not give the qb some options when it comes to the pass when you only have one receiver going out and there are 3to4 guys covering him you cant think this is actually going to work but you cant even look for anyone else because thy are all standing at the line of scrimage just hanging out . my only wish was that for even one half of one game this year these senior boys would have control of there own fate that they could of played there own game with there own plays and the players where they new they would work. that would have been an awsome sight. to the russell faithful i wish you luck in the comming years I hope the coaches get control of the players again and decide they want to be coaches again. to my senior boys I am sorry you didnt get your chance to shine

AMEN

[BLOOD RED]

I agree with you some but when you have linemen that will not block you pull them even if they are the coaches sons! I truly dont get it when some of the posters say there was no discipline on this team! I was pretty close to this team and the only lack of leadership was that most of these guys are too quiet to lead! Fine young men just not real vocal guys! I sit in the stands here people talk about Ivan leaving, really wishing for it! Ex players talk about his inability to motivate, and how sometimes they would call there own plays because they knew what he was calling wouldnt work! A great coach adapts to his players! Ivan never does! He has no weight lifting program and hangs out in the Gym for Spring practice! But I dont believe in beating people up and most of the people around Russell have seen it for a long time now! Russell should have more state champ banners than Danville and Fort Thomas put together! They have had a ton of talent to work with and gotten very little from them over the years!

Very well said.

[BLOOD RED]

well first congrats to belfry you played a good game. that said i have held my tongue all year but its done now and everyone has said all year long there is no leadership on this russell team and they have no heart well i know most of these boys and they have both but the problem with this team isnt leadership and heart it was respect for each other and faith in each other.the senior boys had all of these but they didnt have control of there fate.you put disrespectful juniors in the mix and a coaching staff that will only show faith in one player to lead the team and a complete unwillingness to change and doom is all that is left. #13 #3 #88 #72 are great kids and will never be disrespectful but also dont have the outstanding personality that a casey or a tyler did doesnt mean they had any less heart. It started with coaching this year. they ran the plays they wanted with the players they wanted didnt matter if they worked didnt matter if the kids blocked didnt matter if the kids were disrespectful to other players or even coaches they knew they werent getting pulled out. so hey we can do what ever we have next year to quote one junior. then you get a gift in the form of #44 and what do you do nothing if that kid had been on the line on offense there would have been a hole for #13and#38and#30and#34 or even have him in the back field to help out with carries he would run over people. and why did the coaches waste practice time every week on plays for certain teams only to never actually call them in the game. why not give the qb some options when it comes to the pass when you only have one receiver going out and there are 3to4 guys covering him you cant think this is actually going to work but you cant even look for anyone else because thy are all standing at the line of scrimage just hanging out . my only wish was that for even one half of one game this year these senior boys would have control of there own fate that they could of played there own game with there own plays and the players where they new they would work. that would have been an awsome sight. to the russell faithful i wish you luck in the comming years I hope the coaches get control of the players again and decide they want to be coaches again. to my senior boys I am sorry you didnt get your chance to shine

This is great, all the talent in the world and no game preperation. Where was the coaching? Where were the adjustments? Great senior class you guys be proud of yourself.

[Leonidas]

Two years ago, when Russell shut out Belfry at Cam , some of these same questions were being asked by some of the Pirate faithful about Coach Haywood. I think there was even a thread on here about wanting Haywood to retire. Since that game, the Pirates have won 26 out of 27 games. For the fan bases of teams like these, it's hard to take losses like last night. Switch coaching staffs and I think the Pirates still win this game big. 300 win coaches are few and far between and we witnessed 2 on the same field last night.

Best post of the entire thread!

I thought about posting this myself, and probably would have had Coach Haywood been on the receiving end of this treatment, but I hoped it would die down.

This year Belfry had the horses and Russell didn't. And as the series has went during the 2000s, that has usually been the theme. In '04 Belfry had better football players, '05 was probably the most evenly matched but Belfry made some killer mistakes early in a game that was a tale of two halves, '06 Russell clearly had the better team, and in '08 the Pirates had the bug guns.

Too much blame can be placed on a coach when parents and fans think with their hearts instead of there heads. I think that both coaches get the most they can out of the talent given to them each year, and that in truth is probably the best sign of a productive coach.

It hurts win you lose, and feels great when you win, but at some point everybody has their turn at both.

[Tpx_Slugger]

inpressive.

[SmackDaddy2]

Best post of the entire thread!

I thought about posting this myself, and probably would have had Coach Haywood been on the receiving end of this treatment, but I hoped it would die down.

This year Belfry had the horses and Russell didn't. And as the series has went during the 2000s, that has usually been the theme. In '04 Belfry had better football players, '05 was probably the most evenly matched but Belfry made some killer mistakes early in a game that was a tale of two halves, '06 Russell clearly had the better team, and in '08 the Pirates had the bug guns.

Too much blame can be placed on a coach when parents and fans think with their hearts instead of there heads. I think that both coaches get the most they can out of the talent given to them each year, and that in truth is probably the best sign of a productive coach.

It hurts win you lose, and feels great when you win, but at some point everybody has their turn at both.

most of my posts are not to make light of Belfry and there great win last night, they are a tremendous team and deserve all honors! Some of us were saying things like this even when we went to state championship

[schs_06]

I figured It would be a Blow out. Just wish SC had there chance with Russell

[charliez]

I figured It would be a Blow out. Just wish SC had there chance with Russell

Me to.:ChairHit:

[mrfootball03]

I figured It would be a Blow out. Just wish SC had there chance with Russell

maybe thats just wishful thinking, dreading meeting up with that red & white buzzsaw

[schs_06]

maybe thats just wishful thinking, dreading meeting up with that red & white buzzsaw

No not really. Just would like a Regional Championship be played at SC for once . But I guess you have to beat the best to win. Dont care to play Belfry just would like to play Russell for once.

[mrfootball03]

No not really. Just would like a Regional Championship be played at SC for once . But I guess you have to beat the best to win. Dont care to play Belfry just would like to play Russell for once.

lol well you guys should have took care of business back in October at home against the Pirates.. then you would have played Russell @ the Rock last night..

[schs_06]

True True. LMAO Good luck Friday. We might get a upset. Kinda getting used to metting the same people in the finals every year. lol.


Good win over russell was hopeing it went the other way

[TeamMom]

Pirates, you are on your way to the big one again! Keep up the good work and bring home the title to the mountains again. Last year, our car was decorated for Belfry and after the championship game, some LC fans were screaming at us, threatening us and some even tried to block our car into the parking lot. I can't imagine what would have happened if we had won! I hope to find out this year. :Clap:

[KYHeavyLifter]

I wasn't insulting you....so please don't take it that way.

My point was....so much was made of the Belfry/West Carter game......that a few fans felt like Belfry is "overrated"......despite holding serve against JC...on the road......and not acknowledging the "flat factor" in the 1st half of the WC game.

Sorry man, I was kidding. No offense taken at all. I know what you are saying and I agree completely.

It seems like with Belfry, you either love em or hate em, but if you hate em, it's most likely because they've embarassed your team at some point in time.
This team is really impressive. I think Haywood is an amazing coach and his players have a respect for the game and the discipline that it takes to dominate the way they do. I'm betting the title returns to EastKY this year!!! :1:

[FBALL]

Best post of the entire thread!

I thought about posting this myself, and probably would have had Coach Haywood been on the receiving end of this treatment, but I hoped it would die down.

This year Belfry had the horses and Russell didn't. And as the series has went during the 2000s, that has usually been the theme. In '04 Belfry had better football players, '05 was probably the most evenly matched but Belfry made some killer mistakes early in a game that was a tale of two halves, '06 Russell clearly had the better team, and in '08 the Pirates had the bug guns.

Too much blame can be placed on a coach when parents and fans think with their hearts instead of there heads. I think that both coaches get the most they can out of the talent given to them each year, and that in truth is probably the best sign of a productive coach.

It hurts win you lose, and feels great when you win, but at some point everybody has their turn at both.

I started to bring it up as well about Haywood recieving the same kind of statements.

But this game was in no way like 2006. It was much worse.

Some of the statements you are reading should tell you what was wrong with Russell this year. This team was beat before they ever got on the bus. They talked about losing all week. Belfry got in their heads and they never believed they could win that game. That is what is embarrassing.

And for those of you who wish SC could have gotten a chance at Russell. I wish they would have as well. No mental block with that game. They show up and play to their capabilities.

[mrfootball03]

I started to bring it up as well about Haywood recieving the same kind of statements.

But this game was in no way like 2006. It was much worse.

Some of the statements you are reading should tell you what was wrong with Russell this year. This team was beat before they ever got on the bus. They talked about losing all week. Belfry got in their heads and they never believed they could win that game. That is what is embarrassing.

And for those of you who wish SC could have gotten a chance at Russell. I wish they would have as well. No mental block with that game. They show up and play to their capabilities.

Whats this mental block you talk about? Im sure Russell thought they could beat Belfry. After all, what had happened the last two meetings between the two?? You guys are sitting there downing your team, because you can't just deal with the truth that this team didn't have the weapons a usual Russell team has. Every team has down years, this is Russell's.

[kybaseball]

Russell may be down if you can call going to the second round of the playoffs down,but there are a lot of teams would love to had the season they had. Try going 1-9 then you would appreciate what the Devils have done this season.

They have had a great run over the last 4 or 5 years.And will be on top again.

Sometimes a person has to admitt that the other team was simply better.Belfry is that team this time. There is no shame in losing to Belfry.

If people want Ivan:rockon: gone there would be a 100 teams that would take him in a New York minute.

[BBB]

Amen,

[FBALL]

Whats this mental block you talk about? Im sure Russell thought they could beat Belfry. After all, what had happened the last two meetings between the two?? You guys are sitting there downing your team, because you can't just deal with the truth that this team didn't have the weapons a usual Russell team has. Every team has down years, this is Russell's.

You are right that every team, Russell, Belfry, Bell County, Highlands, etc... , have down years. The rest of it you are wrong about.

If you had followed this team all year you would no what that mental block is. I know for a fact that many of the seniors on this team had talked about losing this game when the playoffs started. They never had the mindset that they were going to go in there and take it to Belfry. It is the same mindset that set in when they got down 22-10 to Ashland. "We are not going to win so why bother".

The toughest part to take is that despite all of the shortcomings this team had enough physical talent. I'm not saying these are bad kids or anything like that. But they do not have the mental toughness or mean streak to take on an uphill battle. That is exactly what they had against Belfry.

I'm not downing anybody for losing a game to a better team.

By the way. I'm watching the Oklahoma/Texas Tech game and its giving me flashbacks to last night. Oklahoma(Belfry) came out with a chip on their shoulder and a point to prove. Texas Tech(Russell) has looked shell shocked from the start and just has no answer for the buzz saw they ran into.

Belfry was without a doubt a better team. That is not disputable. But 42-0 better is.

I have pulled for this group all year long. I have also been critical of them. I'm not just going to blame the kids either. Not by any means am I saying that Coach McGlone or any of the coaching staff can't coach but they have to shoulder some of the blame as well. This team needed an attitude adjustment early on. They didn't get it. I can think of a few kids on the sideline though not as physically talented,may have given this team a boost and some seniors who some time on the bench might have snapped them out of it.

[ryandamaste5]

Good win by the Pirates. Hopefully JC will get to play the game after your in the state championship game. Promise you will stay and watch it.

[kybaseball]

Friday night there were two excellent coaches going at it. I like what they sideline reporter (who wimped out and went into the warm pressbox said ) "Neither coach will rub it in your face" or close to that. Both coaches are class.

[FBALL]

Drew Abrams did get a tough earned 93 yards on 23 carries. I believe he had 56 in the first half.