H.S. Football Preview (Russell) — Red Devils hittin’ it head-o

Rocky Stanley / The Independent Year 1 in coach T.J. Maynard’s return to Russell saw the Red Devils stack up 11 wins — including elusive district and region titles — all while adapting to a radically different system.

Clearly, the arrow continues to point upward.

“I think we are going to be

really good,” said returning All-Area quarterback Jacob McKee. “Being in the system for the second year, the whole team will be more comfortable. Everyone worked really hard at team camp.”

Maynard, a three-time All-Area Coach of the Year including honors at Greenup County, Raceland and now Russell, didn’t expect the Red Devils to accomplish quite so much so soon. Russell ended an eight-year drought between state semifinal appearances.

“Credit has to go to the assistant coaches and senior leaders,” he said. “The kids bought in and exceeded my expectations for the first year.”

Maynard, intense and innovative, and his 2015 squad are eager to see what year two holds.

“Obviously, with the success we had last year and what we have coming back, they’re excited,” Maynard said. “We lost some good players, but have a lot of experience returning. What’s been pleasing in the preseason is that we’re so much farther along than last season. The kids retained a lot of what we did last year.”

H.S. Football Preview (Russell) ? Red Devils hittin? it head-on - The Independent Online: Sports