We are the Raceland Rams.

The Great Orange and Black.

Eternal Champions of Raceland High.

Worthy.....of all who dare oppose.

Our Fathers, Grandfathers and Brothers

built this, the oldest of traditions.

With much sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears.

And as you step onto this most hallowed of fields,

remember the smell of the grass, the sound

of the cheers, the excitement of the battle with your

Brothers-In-Arms. Remember the sweet victories

and accept them with a humble spirit. Then finally,

my Ram Brother, remember each other and this most

Precious time.

This here............This moment.............This now.

 

Winning 500

The Raceland Football Program, a proud and historic group, eclipsed the 500 win mark this past Friday with a win over the Ironton Fighting Tigers. This win not only marked the 500th win for Raceland, it also marked the first ever Raceland win over Ironton, another program with a storied history of tradition and synonymous with winning.

 

Raceland and Ironton had previously met only twice (1950 and 1966), with Ironton winning both match-ups. Raceland hitting the milestone of wins was only made more memorable by doing so against such a tradition rich program such as Ironton. But, before there could be win 500, there were many others that helped build the winning tradition and proud people of the Raceland Football Program.

 

Laying the Groundwork

Before you can get 500 wins, you have to get one. Raceland got it’s first win in program history in it’s first year of existence, 1926. In 1926 the Ramblers, as they were known then because they had no home field to call their own and had to play all games on the road, finished with a record of 2-3-1 with the first win in program history coming against Fullerton 12-0. The Ramblers also got win number two that year by beating Catlettsburg, a program that was considered a powerhouse and later was consolidated in to what is now Boyd County Schools, 12-6.

 

In 1933 Raceland posted the best season in the young school’s history finishing the season 7-1 with big wins over McKell, a small school power of the day, and Russell, who would come to be one Raceland’s biggest rivals due to the schools being two miles apart. The only loss of 1933 was in the first game of the season to Louisa High School, now known as Lawrence County Schools.

 

The 20’s, though the 50’s were riddled with some very nice seasons and some rough seasons for the small school in North-Eastern Kentucky. The latter part of the 50’s saw Raceland having trouble competing. From 1956 to 1960 the Ramblers had a record of 10-34-4 with two winless seasons in 1959 and 1960. The school administration considered, and openly spoke of, discontinuing football citing the size of the school as not being sufficient to support the sport.

 

In 1961 Jim Conley was hired as Football coach. Coach Conley coached the Ramblers five years. Coach Conley is believed to be the man who kept Ram Football alive. He convinced the school administration to allow him to keep the program going. All the wins that came prior to Coach Conley are important, but Coach Conley is credited with starting the Raceland tradition. Coach Conley had a lean start, going 6-19 in his first three seasons. But, in his last two seasons, 1964 and 1965, Coach Conley went 8-1 and 7-2 respectively. With wins over all the regional powers: Catlettsburg, Russell and McKell.

 

In 1974 and 1975 the Rams, as they come be known after getting their own stadium, posted back-to-back nine win seasons, the most wins in a season for the program at the time.

 

In 1987, Raceland set some new records, the most wins in school history (11), and the first ever playoff win (Ludlow 30-0). Although the Rams had multiple District Championships and playoff appearances, they always were pitted against a very strong Northern Kentucky District and did not get their first playoff win until then. The 1987 team would forever be remembered and would be known as the best team in school history for several years to come.

 

Raceland played every school in the area, no matter what size. Raceland began playing Ashland regularly in the 80’s and was the only small school in the area to do so. Ashland was seen as a local power, and was the largest school in the region. Raceland began playing them in the first game of each season and most football fans saw that as a tune-up game for Ashland. In 1991, that changed when the Rams defeated the much larger Tomcats, coming off a 4A State Championship in 1990. This win proved much. It proved Raceland could compete with anyone in the area. It proved that Raceland was now a Regional Power, and has been seen as such since. Since 1991, Raceland has enjoyed two three game win streaks over Ashland. The perception changed after the 14-13 win of 1991.

 

1996 would see the first ever undefeated regular season in Raceland history. Raceland had always played the larger, more tradition rich schools and was known for playing any school no matter the size. This was a credit to the Rams, but they had not, until this point, ever been able to beat everyone on their schedule.

 

In 1997, Raceland was still pitted against that strong Northern Kentucky District in the playoffs, the Rams had never won a road playoff game against a Northern Kentucky team. That would change in 1997 when Raceland defeated Newport Central Catholic 32-21. Another one of those games that changed some perspective.

 

In 2006 the Rams went 11-2, tying the most wins in a season in school history and eventually losing in the Regional Championship Game to NCC. A game that Raceland was winning at half time on a sloppy field to run out of gas against a much deeper team in the second half. For the first time since 1987, there was an argument for the “Best Team in School History”. A debate that went on until two years later.

 

The debate for the Best Team in School History wold be decided in 2008. In 2008 the Rams posted an undefeated regular season with big wins over, then 1A power, Lexington Christian with a All-State Runningback, who had the opportunity to play at the D1 level, who was held to 43 yards. Raceland also had big wins over Ashland and Russell. This was the first win over Russell since the rivalry was renewed in 2007 after being suspended since 1974.

The Men Behind the Program

Jim Conley

As previously stated, Coach Conley has been credited with “saving” the Raceland football program and starting the winning tradition that has been built upon the years after his coaching stint. Coach Conley guided the Rams from 1961-1965. Still seen as one of the founding fathers of Ram Football.

 

Larry Heck

Coach Heck (what a great name for a football coach) guided the Rams from 1972-1976. Coach Heck posted back-to-back nine win seasons in ’74 and ’75. The most wins by a team in school history at the time. Coach Heck took the Rams to a new level and is always talked about as being one of the people who made Ram Football better.

 

Bill Tom Ross

Coach Ross is the longest tenured coach in Raceland school history to date. Coach Ross Coached the Rams from 1983 to 1996. Coach Ross is the all-time winningest coach in Raceland history with a record of 112-48. That is a winning percentage of 70%. What makes that percentage so prestigious is Coach Ross took a “play everyone” approach. He would schedule virtually any school, no matter what size they were or how dominate they were. He was the coach that started scheduling Ashland every season, and the first coach in school history to beat Ashland. In 1990 Coach Ross scheduled a game with Lynchburg Christian Academy in Lynchburg Virginia that was played on the campus of Liberty University. A game Raceland won 34-10, the only game LCA lost that season. Coach Ross coached the first undefeated season in school history in 1996. Coach Ross took a very good program and make it great and is credited with taking Raceland Football to the “Next level”.

 

Randy Vanderhoof

Coach Vanderhoof coached the Rams from 1997 to 2009 and is the second longest tenured coach in school history and is only second in win total to Coach Ross. Coach Vanderhoof is not only a former coach, but a former player at Raceland as well, being remembered as a “Legend” from the late 1970’s era. Coach Vanderhoof’s all-time record as a coach is 91-60, a winning percentage of 60%. Coach Vanderhoof coached the Best Team in School History in 2008 as well as, arguable, the second best team in school history in 2006. Coach Vanderhoof also brought a new weapon to Raceland football - the forward pass. No, not really, but he did change offenses from the normal Raceland offense of a strong running game to a pass oriented approach. A move that made Raceland a true balanced team and paved the way for some great seasons.

 

 

The Year 2013

That brings us to the “This here..............This moment...............This now”. Coach T.J. Maynard is in his fourth season as Head Coach of Raceland after Coach Vanderhoof stepped down after 13 years of guiding the Rams. Coach Maynard has a record of 30-16 (and has just won the 18th Raceland District Championship), with that 30th win being Raceland Football win number 500. A huge milestone, but a milestone on a road that was paved by many players and coaches that came before. From the first win in 1926, the Raceland Football program has been on that road to 500, and as they arrive there, it will be celebrated briefly and then the focus is shifted to winning 501, 502, 550, and 600. Truly, a proud past, a proud present, and a proud future. It’s always a great day to be a Ram.

Edited November 8, 201312 yr by Ram

Absolutely unbelievable, great thread / article ! Thank You Ram for doing the research and posting this. I always have been and always will be proud of Our Raceland Ramblers, now Rams and your article tells why.

On a very personal note, I want to share something about me that maybe describes some of my reasons for loving this place. Growing up, I loved sports - all sports. I, like most all other kids growing up played all the youth league sports, Jr. High sports and wanting to be a "Ram" like any other kid in this town. I was far, very far from a great - even good player. I more and more was getting "winded/tired" way too soon, had more growing trouble with strength, was losing strength/skills rather than getting better. I eventually started not making teams, etc. and got really down about that. Unlike other places, other schools, teammates/classmates and just "kids" in general there were NO ONE putting me down, making fun of, looking down upon...anything like that. I think that they knew what I was feeling but rather than distance themselves my teammates, friends stayed close friends, non judgemental and treated me no different than when I was playing/competing with them. Long story to short....it wasn't until years later that I found out why I was losing strength, endurance, etc.. I was diagnosed with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis, my body was "fighting itself". At that time in the 70's, M.S. was little known much less treatments so when diagnosed as an adult the disease had already progressed until not long after and now I am wheelchair bound. I don't think , no I know that no one has ever had my desire to play, excel but just wasn't meant to be. That's why I am so passionate about MY Rams, the way I was treated by the great people of this community.

Other reasons that everyone in these two communities of Raceland / Worthington and the surrounding areas of the "RAM NATION" are a special people......We have had former players, Alumni come in from as far as San Diego, CA., Raliegh, NC, Jacksonville, FL., Nevada, Denver, CO. just to name a few for a Rival football game (Russell, Fairview, GC), homecoming and H.O.F. games. I know that most all schools have very proud fans and alumni but I can confidently say that I have Never seen a fan base, Alumni, Administration, Teachers, other School employees that are as Good of supporters of All school activities as there are in this little place called Raceland/Worthington. This community is painted RAM ORANGE and BLACK. Not only for this season, is that way every season ! As just one recent example last week another "Parade" went through town celebrating the Girls Volleyball Team Regional Champions, who will be in the State Tourney this weekend. Football, Baseball, Track, Basketball, Girls Basketball, Track, Volleyball, Softball.....Band is no Different, the Raceland "Ram Pride" ban has won many competitions as well as a couple of State Championships. Academics are supported as well, Raceland is well known for excellence in academics. There have been quite a lot of students transfer to Raceland from some area schools just for the education provided from Elementary to the High School Levels.

So Yes, I am a extremely proud Alumni of Raceland High School, 1975 and still support all areas of the now RWHS !

Some people laugh at myself and others saying it but that's just too bad,,,,,,,,Once A Rambler / Ram, Always a Ram ! :thumb:

^^^^ Next post I won't be so short with it. I may go on and on, lol.

Great job of explaining things oldrambler. Thanks for sharing.

Oldrambler, you are just one of the many reasons I am proud to be a Ram! I love you, brother!

Thanks Ram and Doc, I didn't out to say what I did about the personal stuff, then I just got to thinking about the people in Raceland and why this little place is so special. Don't tell anyone, people may think that I can and do get serious once in a while. That alone will scare them to death. lol

Good article. I am a becoming a secret fan of the Raceland program.

Dad gum,,, in now OFFICIALY a closet RAM!! ?

Dad gum,, I'm now an offical CLOSET RAM!!

Sorry guys, I tried to edit due to mis spelling and I messed up!

Sorry guys, I tried to edit due to mis spelling and I messed up!

 

No problem, I am an expert at screwing up. lol

Dad gum,, I'm now an offical CLOSET RAM!!

 

Welcome, get rid of those red.black Fairview colors though. lol

Great stuff...Raceland is a proud and respected program:thumb:

Congrats to the Ram Nation!!!:ylsuper: