Russell 42

red_devils_rule · 09-26-2008, 10:45 PM

Final :devilflam

red_devils_rule · 09-26-2008, 10:46 PM

Way to go Red Devils way to bounce back from last week still a little sloppy but great win

ryanparker · 09-26-2008, 11:18 PM

I agree they looked sloppy at times but this is just one of those games on the schedule that you just have to get through. As many have discussed, it is unfortunate Russell has to play opponents like this. East Carter has been crushed in every game they have played this season.

Sticking to the positives, though...the players did seem to show a little more enthusiasm at times. They passed a little. The running backs ran hard. Overall, it was a decent game. Again, it is a shame we likely have to plod through 2 more clunker games until October 17th when things pick back up with Simon Kenton, Mason County, and Raceland. I hope the team keeps working hard to improve against Lawrence and Lewis.

**Jeepman** · 09-26-2008, 11:19 PM

Congratulations Red Devils. It's good to have that first district game under your belt.

**FBALL** · 09-26-2008, 11:20 PM

Thats the second district game.

**FBALL** · 09-26-2008, 11:25 PM

Better enthusiasm by some of the players. Bailey and Abrams ran hard. Still need to work on cutting back and hitting the hole hard some. Line play was a little better. East kept nine in the box the entire game.

The passing game needs some work. Some poor decisions made there. Bright spots made there were some outstanding catches. Notably the grab by Abrams and the wheel route for the TD by Bailey. I would still like to see some screens and swings out of the backfield and If the DBs are going to play 15 yards off on Mitchell, just stand up and throw it to him.

The defense played a little better. More attitude definitely. Need to play smarter though. Sometimes it is better to just bat down the pass. East never should have scored. That was a bounce reminicent of UK/Middle Tennessee.

This team still doesn't seem to play hard all the way through. I know it was East Carter but sustained effort will be needed. Also the silly penalties. Those are killers.

**jgrubby** · 09-26-2008, 11:31 PM

FBALL Wrote:Better enthusiasm by some of the players. Bailey and Abrams ran hard. Still need to work on cutting back and hitting the hole hard some.

The passing game needs some work. Some poor decisions made there. Bright spots made there were some outstanding catches. Notably the grab by Abrams.

The defense played a little better. More attitude definitely. Need to play smarter though. Sometimes it is better to just bat down the pass. East never should have scored. That was a bounce reminicent of UK/Middle Tennessee.

This team still doesn't seem to play hard all the way through. I know it was East Carter but sustained effort will be needed. Also the silly penalties. Those are killers.

Good post FBALL, I agree they were still "FLAT". I saw on about ten plays when the lead blocker made a block for the runner that was all he did. Did not go and find another. Bailey actually pushed one of the pulling guards to bock again for him. Why do they just block once and think thats all they have to do?

**DEVILOLOGIST** · 09-26-2008, 11:31 PM

OMG-- I agree with FBALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**FBALL** · (This post was last modified: 09-27-2008, 12:51 AM by FBALL.)

You should agree with me more D.

Also football almost seemed to be secondary tonight. There were many events tonight raising money for a group of women from Russell that are participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The entire stadium was pink. The R was pink. Most fans were wearing the pink Touchdown for a Cure Tshirts and there was a very nice ceromony at halftime honoring Gloria McGlone and her fight with cancer. There was a player or players from every year that Ivan has coached presenting her with a pink rose. She was really touched. It was very nice with all of the former players and the entire current team behind them.

TheyKnowMe · 09-27-2008, 12:48 AM

Sounds like a good bounce back for the devils

kybaseball · 09-27-2008, 03:22 AM

Sounds like they are headed in the right direction.

charliez · 09-27-2008, 11:18 AM

Congratulations its much better to win! However I noticed most of the time there was very little hitting going on, Need to inject a little hostile ,mobile & agile. There are some teams coming up in the schedule who put a big target on this Russell team they smell blood or so they think its up to you guys on the outcome.......

**FBALL** · 09-27-2008, 11:30 AM

charliez Wrote:Congratulations its much better to win! However I noticed most of the time there was very little hitting going on, Need to inject a little hostile ,mobile & agile. There are some teams coming up in the schedule who put a big target on this Russell team they smell blood or so they think its up to you guys on the outcome.......

I agree with that. This team needs to get in sync on offense and needs a mean streak on defense. There was some good hitting but mostly in spurts.

This team needs consistancy.

Beetle01 · 09-27-2008, 12:49 PM

I liked the play calling a little more. Still I hate that reverse though, whatever happened to the counter plays? I think those would do more damage.
I know there were some mistakes and missed wide open receivers in the passing game, but they need to build some cohesion in that department if they are gonna win come playoff time.

Also, what is up with the refs, some of the comments they have been making to our players the last 2 games are unbelievable. Also, seems to me they need to learn what a hold is.

ryanparker · 09-27-2008, 12:55 PM

What kind of comments are being made to the players? Fill those of us without "connections" in.

Beetle01 · 09-27-2008, 12:55 PM

EC also did a good job of stopping Abrams early, they were loading that. We got some scores in the aire and yards in the air and they started backing off some and then Drew had some really nice runs.

I will say AJ needs to get rid of the ball quicker, you see someone open get rid of it. Also if Dave or Justin are one on one going deep, you gotta put that ball up, they win those balls if its not under thrown, I think this will come over the next few games if we keep the ball in the air.

**FBALL** · 09-27-2008, 01:22 PM

I stlill want to see some screens. I like the wheel route. Some quick hitters to Dillon if he can get of the line would be nice. But this team can be very effective running the ball. Just pass enough to keep it loosened up.

They ran the counter once and it got blown up. Too much penetration on that play. I agree though. It was always one of my favorite plays. The reverse can be effective but it has been run so much over the past few seasons that teams are prepared for it. It doesn't catch anyone by suprise. Maybe get Mitchell involved with a reverse to the end. Something a little different.

Also if Mithchell is split out wide and the cornor is playing 15 yards off, why not just stand up and throw it to him. He has one on one coverage and every team backs off of him for the deep ball. Just Throw it out there. It would pick up at least 5-10 yards a crack.

**FBALL** · 09-27-2008, 01:27 PM

Here is what bothered me the most about last nights game. I actually heard someone say they are killing so and so's stats. I almost puked.

WHO CARES!

Get rid of the ego and play for the betterment of the team.

Play together and have each others backs and good things will happen. Worry about individual stats and have a "me" attitude and this TEAM will go nowhere.

Allright I got that off of my chest. I couldn't go without saying something about it.

Devil09 · 09-27-2008, 08:57 PM

FBALL Wrote:Here is what bothered me the most about last nights game. I actually heard someone say they are killing so and so's stats. I almost puked.

WHO CARES!

Get rid of the ego and play for the betterment of the team.

Play together and have each others backs and good things will happen. Worry about individual stats and have a "me" attitude and this TEAM will go nowhere.

Allright I got that off of my chest. I couldn't go without saying something about it.

Who cares what a parent says. It's what the kid's on the field do. This team has to many 'me's, not thinking about the team as a whole. I'm directing this to both sides of the ball. The QB is the leader on offense. Let's give him some respect. The line on both sides of the ball have to communicate. This is a team sport. If they don't it will be a short season.

**FBALL** · 09-27-2008, 09:49 PM

Devil09 Wrote:Who cares what a parent says. It's what the kid's on the field do. This team has to many 'me's, not thinking about the team as a whole. I'm directing this to both sides of the ball. The QB is the leader on offense. Let's give him some respect. The line on both sides of the ball have to communicate. This is a team sport. If they don't it will be a short season.

Absolutely correct.

**The College One** · 09-27-2008, 10:36 PM

congrats on the red devils victory

**Jeepman** · 09-27-2008, 10:46 PM

FBALL Wrote:Absolutely correct.

My wife made this comment to me during the game. "They don't look crisp like they did last year. They just don't look right". She was referring to the Russell Offense. Now I could not agree more. Okay I know who cares what Jeepmans wife thinks about football. All I can say is it does not take an expert to see that we are not insync yet. We will be I just hope it comes together soon. I would also like to see some more throwing the football. Abrams ran the ball great last night. He is big and strong and does not give up. We love our Red Devils but if we play without that fire in the belly a team like Mason County will win.

kybaseball · 09-27-2008, 11:09 PM

Ivan :rockon: and the players:rockon: over the years have you guys spoiled. You all would never survive at other counties. Their teams that aren't that far from you guys would love to have your problems:BigLaugh: :BigLaugh: :thumpsup:

**jgrubby** · 09-28-2008, 12:20 PM

Jeepman Wrote:My wife made this comment to me during the game. "They don't look crisp like they did last year. They just don't look right". She was referring to the Russell Offense. Now I could not agree more. Okay I know who cares what Jeepmans wife thinks about football. All I can say is it does not take an expert to see that we are not insync yet. We will be I just hope it comes together soon. I would also like to see some more throwing the football. Abrams ran the ball great last night. He is big and strong and does not give up. We love our Red Devils but if we play without that fire in the belly a team like Mason County will win.

They are going through a transition at the moment. Last week they got a spanking for being selfish, they are starting to be a cohesive group instead of a "ME" thing. They will be fine. I agree with FBALL, when a parent says something about their child's individual stats, team is one, not an individual. Wake up fans it your responsibilty as much as the players!!!!!

**Jeepman** · 09-28-2008, 12:25 PM

kybaseball Wrote:Ivan :rockon: and the players:rockon: over the years have you guys spoiled. You all would never survive at other counties. Their teams that aren't that far from you guys would love to have your problems:BigLaugh: :BigLaugh: :thumpsup:

I disagree with you. You set the bar high. You expect nothing but perfection. Once you accept mediocrity you are done. That is why Russell is different from other counties. Russell will come together and play with that fire. Don't ever accept underachievement. EVER

**Jeepman** · 09-28-2008, 12:33 PM

jgrubby Wrote:They are going through a transition at the moment. Last week they got a spanking for being selfish, they are starting to be a cohesive group instead of a "ME" thing. They will be fine. I agree with FBALL, when a parent says something about their child's individual stats, team is one, not an individual. Wake up fans it your responsibilty as much as the players!!!!!

I could not agree with you more. The bottom line is McGloan and his staff will bring this together. They are playing good right now. Good will not win a Championship. Playing great as a team with heart and a lot of luck wins Championships. Being an individual in the game of football can destroy a team.

**Jeepman** · 09-28-2008, 12:47 PM

Devil09 Wrote:Who cares what a parent says. It's what the kid's on the field do. This team has to many 'me's, not thinking about the team as a whole. I'm directing this to both sides of the ball. The QB is the leader on offense. Let's give him some respect. The line on both sides of the ball have to communicate. This is a team sport. If they don't it will be a short season.

BOY HOWDY Devil09, I have a feeling that they just might need to get spanked once more before some see the light. I just hope it does not happen in a district game. Now I could be way off but I don't think I am. You are right about the parents. Who cares what we think!! I forgot who said it before but I liked it. These are not babies, they are young men. They need to hear the good and they need to hear the bad. Bottom line: If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck the odds are that it is a duck. Russell is not playing the football that they are capable of playing at this point in the season.

kybaseball · 09-28-2008, 12:55 PM

Jeepman they only lost one game maybe the other team on the field might have something to do with ever play not going right. Russell is the program that others are judged.I agree you do have to keep pushing to get better and they have set the bar really high. Ihave nothing but repect for Russell's program.

**Jeepman** · 09-28-2008, 05:42 PM

kybaseball Wrote:Jeepman they only lost one game maybe the other team on the field might have something to do with ever play not going right. Russell is the program that others are judged.I agree you do have to keep pushing to get better and they have set the bar really high. Ihave nothing but repect for Russell's program.

You would know what we are talking about if you had the opportunity to see the games. They are not playing bad they are playing good. They are just not playing together yet. They will be playing at the high expectations soon.

**FBALL** · 09-28-2008, 05:59 PM

kybaseball Wrote:Jeepman they only lost one game maybe the other team on the field might have something to do with ever play not going right. Russell is the program that others are judged.I agree you do have to keep pushing to get better and they have set the bar really high. Ihave nothing but repect for Russell's program.

Absolutely Ashland had alot to do with that loss. The fact that Russell lost is not what has most of us concerned. It is the turn it on turn it off effort and the individualism that does.

Jeepman is right. They are not in sync yet. They have a new QB and that has been the major adjustment. Cordle throws a very good ball. Probably throws a little bit better than what Tyler Jones did last year. Where the problem is that I can see is he is having trouble seeing recievers and when to throw. Cordle is not as big and strong as Jones. He is having trouble getting passes off under pressure. Jones would stand in there and could throw with a couple of guys hanging on him because of his size and strenth. Jones would also take off and run with it if everyone was covered. This is something that Cordle needs to do instead of holding on to the ball to long. If the reciever is not open just take off.

I'm not knocking A.J.. I think has done just fine. But it is an adjustment that takes time to work out. Cordle is a better passer in space. Some quicker routes and some formations that take some of the pressure off of him would help him.

This is a very talented Russell team. Just as talented as last year if not more. They do miss Jones and Fosters toughness from last year. Right now they need a mean streak. Not just one or two guys but the whole team.