T.J has said he would like to get the rail cities bowl going again. IMO it shouldn't have been stopped even though we had lost 5 in a row. We were bound to break through and win a few sooner or later.:banana: It is good gate money and close.

It's too soon for me to want to play again. I don't like it and I don't want to play against TJ. I loved playing the Rail Cities Bowl but now I don't want it. TJ and I are friends. Heck, I came to Raceland because of TJ. I guess playing this game now is just too personal to me. Just me being honest about how I feel. And another thing, everyone I came in contact with in Russell (I go to church in Russell and have many friends in Russell/Flatwoods) were always downplaying the game and how it wasn't good for Russell. If they won, they should because they are the larger school. If they lose, it looks bad. Then, when they decide they want to retire Ivan and get TJ it is now cool to want to play Raceland again. Well, forgive me for not getting too excited about it.

It's too soon for me to want to play again. I don't like it and I don't want to play against TJ. I loved playing the Rail Cities Bowl but now I don't want it. TJ and I are friends. Heck, I came to Raceland because of TJ. I guess playing this game now is just too personal to me. Just me being honest about how I feel. And another thing, everyone I came in contact with in Russell (I go to church in Russell and have many friends in Russell/Flatwoods) were always downplaying the game and how it wasn't good for Russell. If they won, they should because they are the larger school. If they lose, it looks bad. Then, when they decide they want to retire Ivan and get TJ it is now cool to want to play Raceland again. Well, forgive me for not getting too excited about it.

 

I can certainly see where you are coming from and I feel the same. Raceland, from around 1982 or 83' on (B.T. Ross's 1st yr. as Rams coach) did everything but get on their hands and knees to beg Russell to play / renew the rivalry that ended around 8-10 yrs. or so earlier. Russell would have none of it. This was after that Raceland got Russell to play in the annual pre season "grid o rama" and shut the Devils down, not allowing a score and barely a 1st down. I can't say that absolutely had anything to do with it but I tend to think that it may have. At any rate, all that Raceland players and fans heard out of Red Devil lane was "we can't work it in with our district schedule obligations" or something to that effect. Doc, as you had said about your church and on a side note - there were Russell parents, kids went to our church as well and when the pastor was recognizing the players from both schools that attended church together, the Russell parents/fans "booed" the Raceland kids when they stood up, lol. I know that it was meant in "good fun" and all but was also an example of some's "elite" attitude. Getting booed in church - I loved it, lol.

Finally, the schools worked it out and renewed the series. Russell came into Ram Stadium and won the first game, starting the "see, we told you so's from the Russell elites (fans, school, etc.). Next season after Raceland won and on another website / message board all the excuse and comments like "well, they had best enjoy it - they (Raceland) will never win another one", calling it a Fluke / lucky shot. After Five Years of Raceland "Flukes" without another Russell win the school (Russell) abruptly decided not to extend the series / contract and end things.

So now, maybe at sometime down the road Raceland can decide if they want to play or not. The Rams point had clearly been made on the field. I am sure that Russell feels that they don't need to play Raceland to prove anything and I know that Raceland doesn't need to make any kind of statement by playing Russell.

I didn't post any of this to try and start the Russell / Raceland debate all over again. That has been done and over. I was just giving my imput, for the little it's worth, to sidelinedoc's comments.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the year Russell beat Raceland last, was that the year Russell won state? Or no? I can't remember.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the year Russell beat Raceland last, was that the year Russell won state? Or no? I can't remember.

Nope:

2005 Russell won the State Championship

2006 Russell was the runner up in the State Championship game

2007 Russell lost in the Regional Championship Game. And, the first year of the Raceland/Russell series that Russell won.