After going 7 for 7 last week (and an overall record 12 and 2) , Ram is going to try to duplicate that performance this week. But, this week brings some more difficulty then last week and it will take some keen football knowledge and maybe a bit of luck to be perfect this week with two high fling offenses battling each other in Russell and Fleming County. Along with two winless teams lining up against each other in East Carter traveling to West Carter. Then there’s the Lawrence County/Sheldon Clark matchup that is going to be a tough pick. Who wins these key match ups? Read on.

Ram'sNotebook will look at match-ups for the North-Eastern Kentucky area, which includes the following teams: Ashland, Boyd County, East Carter, Fairview, Greenup County, Lawrence County, Lewis County, Raceland, Russell, and West Carter.

Russell (3-2) at Fleming County

Tough one. Both teams have proven they can score. And both teams have likewise given up some big points. On the surface, many fans may think Russell has a clear edge due to history and past records, but that thought may not matter this week. Russell is good and can put points on the board with their potent running game. But, the big difference this year, and Russell really hasn’t shown it, Russell has a very potent passing attack. If Russell gets behind they will be able to strike back faster with their passing game. Fleming County, may not have the running game that Russell has, but their passing game is pretty impressive and Russell will have to work to stop it. I look for a high scoring game. Who wins? I will have to go with Russell, but it will be a fun game to watch for any football fan.

 

Russell 42 Fleming County 35

Ashland (5-1) vs. Boyd County (2-3)

Big “In County” rivalry, but Ashland has owned the series lately and I don’t expect that to change this week. Ashland has an explosive offense that has been putting big numbers on the board. And Ashland’s defense has proven to be pretty strong as well. Boyd County is a better team this year then in the recent past. The Lions have some excitement surrounding the program. They are on the right track, but they are not there yet. The Lions will battle, but the Tomcats will be the big winner in the end.

 

Ashland 45 Boyd County 7

Greenup County (0-5) vs. Rowan County

The problems with Greenup County are obvious, they were 0-10 last year, and will be 0-10 this year. It will take some dedicated and strong people to fix the problems. Rowan County is down a little as well, but they are completing and winning some games. That coupled with the Vikings coming off a big lose last week should equate to a Rowan County win this week.

 

Greenup County 14 Rowan County 35

Fairview (5-0) at Grove City Christian, OH

Fairview has mounted an unbeaten record, albeit against a weak schedule. Fairview opponents have a combined record of 6-22 with Fleming County owning four of those six wins. Fairview posted three of their five wins against winless teams. Grove City Christian comes into this game with a record of 2-3 with the two wins coming over winless teams. I look for Fairview to improve to 6-0 against a outmanned Grove City Christian.

 

Fairview 54 Grove City Christian 14

East Carter (0-6) at West Carter (0-5)

The battle of the winless. Both East Carter and West Carter are having trouble getting that first win of the season, but that will end for one of them this week. Although both are winless, East Carter has shown some promise with an offense that is capable of scoring. West Carter is young and is having trouble getting the program back on track. West Carter will go 0 for 2012. Good luck to both teams in improving for next season and creating some buzz for their respective programs.

 

East Carter 35 West Carter 21

Lawrence County (2-4) at Sheldon Clark

This one is tough. I could claim to have done a complicated algebraic equation to come up with my prediction, but I’m going solely on gut feeling here. Lawrence County can put some points on the board, but their defense is suspect and allows opponents to put up big points as well. Sheldon Clark, likewise, has put up some points, but has also allowed equally high points by opponents. It may come down to who has the ball last, but it should be a fun game to watch with lots of fireworks.

 

Lawrence County 35 Sheldon Clark 42

Lewis County (1-4) at Mason County

I’ll have to pick with history here. Mason County is down some and is in danger of having a losing season, but coming off a hard fought win last week. Lewis Count is having trouble, but could still come out pretty good in district play after the season shakes out. Lewis will have to wait at least anther week to get back in the win column.

 

Lewis County 21 Mason County 35

 

 

Raceland (5-1) - OPEN

Edited September 23, 201214 yr by Ram

The Ram Rankings:

1. Ashland………………(5-1)……..#4 4A

2. Raceland……………(5-1)……...#5 1A

3. Fairview…………….(5-0)……..#7 1A

4. Russell……………….(3-2)

5. Lawrence County(2-4)

6. Boyd County……..(2-3)

7. Lewis County…….(1-4)

8. East Carter……....(0-6)

9. Greenup County..(0-5)

10. West Carter……..(0-5)

You have been on a roll, but I hope Fleming County can throw you off on that one! You mentioned they have given up a lot of points, but for the most part, their defense is much improved over past years. Lets look at their schedule:

 

Fleming 33 Bath 6 (Bath is 5-1 on the season)

Fleming 53 Nicholas 14 (Nicholas tacked one on late in the game. Nicholas is 4-1 on the season)

Fairview 21 Fleming 14 (Fairview only scored 14 on their defense, they returned a fumble for the other score. Fairview is 5-0)

Rowan 55 Fleming 49 ( a complete head scratcher that I have no explanation for!!! Rowan is 2-4)

Fleming 35 East 14 (Fleming put alot of emphasis on the run game in this one. East is 0-6)

Fleming 43 Lewis 0 (Again Fleming focused on running the ball more and only attempted 4 or 5 passes in the second half. Lewis is 1-4)

 

So, for the season Fleming has given up 110 points. 55 was to Rowan (again I can't explain or won't offer any excuses), so they have given up 55 points total in the other 5 games. That is not too bad.

Also, like I mentioned earlier, they have put alot more emphasis on running the ball in the last 2 games and have rushed for more yards than they have thrown for.

 

With all that being said, I still know that Russell is the favorite in this game and will be the best team Fleming has played all season. I just hope that they can play inspired and pull off some magic like Lewis did last season and win this game and the district!

I think the Russell game is defiantly a winnable game for Fleming County, and quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised to see Fleming County win that game. I think it will be close, but either team could win. Fleming County has the home field advantage, that is a feather in their cap.

 

Russell is better this season then I expected them to be, but I have been pleasantly surprised by Fleming County as well. I watched them pretty closely at the Raceland 7 on 7 and they have the ability to score.

 

Game of the week for the area teams in my opinion.

ttt

No prediction on the Raceland-OPEN score?

No prediction on the Raceland-OPEN score?

It's a tough one, I'll go with a "no contest" in Raceland's favor.

Ram has went 5-1 so far this week, with the East Carter/West Carter game being postponed until tonight.

 

Ram's Predictions……………………….Game Results

Russell 42 Fleming County 35……………...Russell 35 Fleming County 6

Ashland 45 Boyd County 7…………………...Ashland 56 Boyd County 16

Greenup County 14 Rowan County 35...Greenup County 10 Rowan County 24

Fairview 54 Grove City 14…………………...Fairview 53 Grove City 24

Lawrence County 35 Sheldon Clark 42…Lawrence County 39 Sheldon Clark 33

Lewis County 21 Mason County 35………Lewis County 8 Mason County 32

 

Ram's Record: 17-3

Ram has went 6-1 so far this week, with the East Carter/West Carter game being postponed until tonight.

 

Ram's Predictions……………………….Game Results

Russell 42 Fleming County 35……………...Russell 35 Fleming County 6

Ashland 45 Boyd County 7…………………...Ashland 56 Boyd County 16

Greenup County 14 Rowan County 35...Greenup County 10 Rowan County 24

Fairview 54 Grove City 14…………………...Fairview 53 Grove City 24

Lawrence County 35 Sheldon Clark 42…Lawrence County 39 Sheldon Clark 33

Lewis County 21 Mason County 35………Lewis County 8 Mason County 32

East Carter 35 West Carter 21……………East Carter 27 West Carter 21

 

Ram's Record: 18-3