Did Russell drop Raceland from future schedules? And, if so, why?

After taking a few whoopins in a row, maybe they are waving he white flag.

 

I've watched every one of those games since they renewed the rivalry. Huge crowds for every one. I can't believe Russell would pass on that kind of gate.

After taking a few whoopins in a row, maybe they are waving he white flag.

 

I've watched every one of those games since they renewed the rivalry. Huge crowds for every one. I can't believe Russell would pass on that kind of gate.

 

When schools have big egos and they get beat again and again by smaller schools they often jump ship.

 

On a similar note, I have to give Covington Catholic credit for hanging onto Beechwood after all those years in a row they took one on the chin.

I wonder if that's it. Maybe Ram has some insight, cause I just got a text from a friend saying that Russell has decided not to renew the contract. No idea why.

Russell AD, Sam Sparks, called Raceland Head football coach, T.J. Maynard, today and informed him that Russell would not sign a new contract to keep the series alive. Until the series was renewed five years ago after a thirty year hiatuses Russell fans would speculate on how bad Russell would beat Raceland and there was no need to play the 1A school. Since the series was renewed, Russell won the first game, and Raceland has won the last four games. The first four years of the series crowds were great and a great money game for both schools. Last year's game was very disappointing, with a very small Russell Crowd at Raceland.

 

I believe that Russell has now learned that Raceland, although a 1A school, plays good football at a higher level then they previously believed. And realized that the chants they used to cheer of "Little Brother" were probably not accurate. I see this move by Russell as conceding that Raceland is now seen to be a superior program and they now feel that they are in a no win situation by playing Raceland. However, it is sad to see the series die again for the communities of these two schools. It has been fun for the fans of both programs and has been an enjoyable experience for the Raceland community.

I want to remain positive but it is difficult. The school budgets are dictating travel to play games and here is a school that is literally 2 miles away that is dropping us. It is not financial and it is not a scheduling issue, it IS a pride issue. Shame on Russell. I lost a lot of respect on this one.

I would love to hear the true reason to the schedule change but as in most things, we will hear an announcement of a reason but the truth will be behind closed doors somewhere over on Red Devil Lane.

 

Who knows, maybe they can schedule Greenup 2 or 3 times a year...........

Has there been any coaching changes at Russell since this game was started back up 5 years ago?

Has there been any coaching changes at Russell since this game was started back up 5 years ago?

Some different assistants. Coach Jones retired. But Coach McGlone is still there.

Some different assistants. Coach Jones retired. But Coach McGlone is still there.

 

Thanks, I was going to say that if there was a new coach at the helm, perhaps it was a change in game philosophy but doesn't look to be the case.

 

I can see both sides here a bit I guess. As long as they played out the contract the 2 schools had I have no issue with not continuing.

 

Its kinda like those in NKY that say Dixie and SK should always play Scott every year, there is no real need to.

Thanks, I was going to say that if there was a new coach at the helm, perhaps it was a change in game philosophy but doesn't look to be the case.

 

I can see both sides here a bit I guess. As long as they played out the contract the 2 schools had I have no issue with not continuing.

 

Its kinda like those in NKY that say Dixie and SK should always play Scott every year, there is no real need to.

Here is some history: Russell and Raceland are natural rivals, being two miles a part and being somewhat comparable in size, and with districts bordering each other, and both being competitive in football. Raceland and Russell used to play every year until the late 70's where one of Raceland's players suffered a broken neck. That ended the original series. For years, members of both communities debated that the two teams should play each other again. It was a big issue around the area. Both schools basically played every school in the area except each other. Coach McGlone would not sign a contract to play Raceland. He flat refused. I can speculate as to why, I think he knew that Raceland would win more then they would lose, even when Russell was very strong in their class, Raceland would have beaten most of those teams, due to the old 2A, and current 3A being the weakest class (not a knock on anyone, but a widely excepted fact for most). With the schools being so close in geography, Coach McGlone knew if Raceland won many of the games he could lose potential players to Raceland.

 

McGlone never changed his mind, but the AD at Russell made him sign a contract to play Raceland. He did. Raceland now has a four year winning streak against Russell, Raceland has had quite a few transfers from not only Russell, but other area schools due to the fact that others schools do not routinely beat Russell, but Raceland now does. The "Rail City Bowl" trophy is sitting in the principal's office and many new students and their parents come in to enroll and stare at the trophy.

 

The series has averaged around 8K people at each game, last year Russell may be brought 300 people (2 miles from their school). The Russell fans will not even talk about the Raceland game, they want it to go away. They don't want to live knowing that the school that many look down their noses at is much better then they would have ever admitted five years ago. They did what a lot of people on here commonly do, they assume if you are a small school that you can't be better then them. Well, look who is smiling now.

Russell AD, Sam Sparks, called Raceland Head football coach, T.J. Maynard, today and informed him that Russell would not sign a new contract to keep the series alive. Until the series was renewed five years ago after a thirty year hiatuses Russell fans would speculate on how bad Russell would beat Raceland and there was no need to play the 1A school. Since the series was renewed, Russell won the first game, and Raceland has won the last four games. The first four years of the series crowds were great and a great money game for both schools. Last year's game was very disappointing, with a very small Russell Crowd at Raceland.

 

I believe that Russell has now learned that Raceland, although a 1A school, plays good football at a higher level then they previously believed. And realized that the chants they used to cheer of "Little Brother" were probably not accurate. I see this move by Russell as conceding that Raceland is now seen to be a superior program and they now feel that they are in a no win situation by playing Raceland. However, it is sad to see the series die again for the communities of these two schools. It has been fun for the fans of both programs and has been an enjoyable experience for the Raceland community.

 

 

I'm an outsider looking in, but this might be the proverbial "nail on the head".

Looks like the current non-district games this season are Greenup, Ironton (OH), Ashland, Boyd and Raceland.

 

It will be interesting to see the makeup of next season's "discretionary games". Maybe Fairview will be on the schedule.

Looks like the current non-district games this season are Greenup, Ironton (OH), Ashland, Boyd and Raceland.

 

It will be interesting to see the makeup of next season's "discretionary games". Maybe Fairview will be on the schedule.

Fairview will never happen, write it down. Fairview is two mile away from Russell on the other side and is another 1A school that will beat Russell more often then not and Russell will not play them.

What class is Russell?