IMHO, the sporting facilities at Raceland (basketball, baseball, softball and FOOTBALL), are all in better shape than Russell's facilities. I don't buy the parking crap. I've walked from the far side of Russell's gym to the the football field to see a game and never complained. As for standing to watch the game, I remember my dad (a former Ironton Tiger) walking the sidelines along with many others to watch my brothers play for Raceland in the 70's. Standing is most definitley a tradition at Raceland. I don't have a say in whether they play Russell or not, but the games should be split, not both at Russell. Gotta give me a better reason than parking to buy into that.

Very well stated incognito :thumb: I remember your dad amoung many others on the sidelines at Raceland. Those were special days and some of the best of many very good Raceland teams. Raceland's coach at that time, Larry Heck was imo the one that really elevated the Rambler/ Ram Tradition that led into the 80's,90's up untill today. Like I said, the renewal of the Rams/Red Devil rivalry has been asked for and talked about for around 20 yearsa or more. I am at the point now although I think that it would be a big $$$$ game I really don't care if it ever comes about. Raceland certainly does not need a game with Russell to prove anything to anyone and I am sure that Russell feels the same way about the game. It would be nice to see and bring back some memories of games past, renew the rivalry and all that but it is not neccassary. Like I said, NO WAY would I agree to play at Russell every year. As for the reason for playing Ashland at their house every year I don't believe that the Raceland folks owes Russell an explanation as of to why they do it. My guess is that aside from then gate $$$, for me it would be for just the experience of playing in putnam stadium, I think that it has been named a historical landmark. There has been a long standing mutual respect for each others programs. Their field is always in good shape and Raceland and our fans are always treated with respect by the Ashland folks, even in the years that the Rams went in there and won. Russell has good facilities for the fans but that field is another story. I have been to several games there through the years and, with a few exceptions have never seen that field in good shape. It is terrible.

the visitors side at russell in my opinion is really not in good shape. putnam stadium is equal in accomdations on both sides.

Russell's field is typically no worse than Raceland's

:confused: I have to dispute that comment d58, I don't know if you were aware that the Raceland administration invested in and had the "spray on" type field turf put on the field at Raceland before last season. This process as I understood it was a combo of shreadded tires along with other substances to bond with the grass. While it is not the regular "roll on" field turf provides a much better surface and will withstand water and wear and tear much better than regular turf. So imo the playing suface at Raceland is FAR better than the dirt and mud bowl at Russell's field. Like I have said numerous times, Russell has a top rate facility except for where it counts for the players - the actual field itself.

the visitors side at russell in my opinion is really not in good shape. putnam stadium is equal in accomdations on both sides.

 

 

I was just thinking the same thing about the Russell's visitor's side. What is total capacity at both the Raceland and Russell facilities? I know Raceland's restrooms and concession stands are top notch.

:confused: I have to dispute that comment d58, I don't know if you were aware that the Raceland administration invested in and had the "spray on" type field turf put on the field at Raceland before last season. This process as I understood it was a combo of shreadded tires along with other substances to bond with the grass. While it is not the regular "roll on" field turf provides a much better surface and will withstand water and wear and tear much better than regular turf. So imo the playing suface at Raceland is FAR better than the dirt and mud bowl at Russell's field. Like I have said numerous times, Russell has a top rate facility except for where it counts for the players - the actual field itself.

 

This special turf also fends off injury to the players.

Wow, the 3-0 Lawrence Co. game at Raceland is my all time favorite game at Ram Stadium! I was a junior that year when Bo (the Toe) McDaniel made the kick. We went crazy in the stands and the stadium was packed! I remember that game like yesterday in the 92 season! Anyway Raceland-Russell game would generate alot of local interest and could be a real interesting series I know in 69 season(Russell star) Kasey Clark's dad Kenny Clark scored the winning 2 pt conversion for Raceland in a 8-6 win over the Devils!

Wow, the 3-0 Lawrence Co. game at Raceland is my all time favorite game at Ram Stadium! I was a junior that year when Bo (the Toe) McDaniel made the kick. We went crazy in the stands and the stadium was packed! I remember that game like yesterday in the 92 season! Anyway Raceland-Russell game would generate alot of local interest and could be a real interesting series I know in 69 season(Russell star) Kasey Clark's dad Kenny Clark scored the winning 2 pt conversion for Raceland in a 8-6 win over the Devils!

My senior year:irked: We swept the District and that was the only regular season loss we had. I don't think we threw the ball until late in the 4th quarter. Bill Tom did a great job that game. It was also the week that they found out JB Newman had something wrong with his brain I think it was and couldn't play. I'll never forget Larry Mears of Lawrence Co taking the ball out of the tailbacks hands while he was running and Larry took off the other way. The officials blew the play dead and blew the call giving Raceland the ball back. The next play he did it again and LC drove 80+ yards only to get picked off in the endzone with under a minute left.

The year before Raceland beat LC 45-44 at LC in a great game. The year before that LC beat Raceland at Raceland when Bostic was the man. Jay Childers carried the whole Ram team the length of the field for an 80 yard drive and really that was the game that started the LC tradition in the 90's. They had some awsome games back then. A lot of mutal respect between the programs!

Wow, the 3-0 Lawrence Co. game at Raceland is my all time favorite game at Ram Stadium! I was a junior that year when Bo (the Toe) McDaniel made the kick. We went crazy in the stands and the stadium was packed! I remember that game like yesterday in the 92 season! Anyway Raceland-Russell game would generate alot of local interest and could be a real interesting series I know in 69 season(Russell star) Kasey Clark's dad Kenny Clark scored the winning 2 pt conversion for Raceland in a 8-6 win over the Devils!

 

That was my junior year at Lawrence and I still remember that kick. As Stick1 said, we had some wars with Raceland in the early 90's. Stick, I still can't believe we lost that game 3-0. Man we had a great defense in 92 but our offense was:mad: :mad: I will just say not what it could have been. Some of the greatest places to watch a ballgame is from the track or fence. At Lawrence, I loved walking out of the lockeroom and seeing everyone lined up along the fence around the field.

My senior year:irked: We swept the District and that was the only regular season loss we had. I don't think we threw the ball until late in the 4th quarter. Bill Tom did a great job that game. It was also the week that they found out JB Newman had something wrong with his brain I think it was and couldn't play. I'll never forget Larry Mears of Lawrence Co taking the ball out of the tailbacks hands while he was running and Larry took off the other way. The officials blew the play dead and blew the call giving Raceland the ball back. The next play he did it again and LC drove 80+ yards only to get picked off in the endzone with under a minute left.

The year before Raceland beat LC 45-44 at LC in a great game. The year before that LC beat Raceland at Raceland when Bostic was the man. Jay Childers carried the whole Ram team the length of the field for an 80 yard drive and really that was the game that started the LC tradition in the 90's. They had some awsome games back then. A lot of mutal respect between the programs!

Yes my sophmore my brother-in law now was the QB and if I'm not correct that 45-44 game at Lawrence Co. was in the rain and mud! Wow the Rams and Dawgs had some great games in the 90's! J.B. did have some health problems with his brain and spinal cord. Shane Bishop , Kyle Ross, and Jim Music were in the backfield with Ryan Mckenzie as the QB! They stepped up and controlled the ball in J.B.'s absence!:thumb:

Yes my sophmore my brother-in law now was the QB and if I'm not correct that 45-44 game at Lawrence Co. was in the rain and mud! Wow the Rams and Dawgs had some great games in the 90's! J.B. did have some health problems with his brain and spinal cord. Shane Bishop , Kyle Ross, and Jim Music were in the backfield with Ryan Mckenzie as the QB! They stepped up and controlled the ball in J.B.'s absence!:thumb:

Bo tried to take my girlfriend once upon a time back then I think:lol: Newman and Mike Stewart was one heck of a 1-2 punch in 1991! Those two could flat out fly! Fletcher was a nice athlete too! One heck of a pitcher (he beat us in the sectionals in baseball back then).

Where do I say anything about knowing "why you do things at Raceland??" I explained why Ashland schedules you...I agree that there are those in both camps with mutual respect but the vast majority of Ashland fans would agree with the reasons I stated...

See the words : This was a team that had dominated Raceland in recent years

You are 3 for 3 in misunderstanding my post...I am not being arrogant or trying to belittle Raceland...In fact, I made more than a few comments stating the pride and class of Raceland's program & school system...I've never had a negative experience there...Again, my point was if you are willing to play Ashland on the road everytime you play, why are we not due the same consideration based on our facilities & success over the last 30 years?? You are correct, you do not need the Devils on your schedule...It certainly will not make or break either program if we never play...But answer me this, Why is it so offensive for us to suggest playing at our place every year because our facility can better accomodate the game when you play Ashland there for the same reason??

We have 2 common opponents that are in our admittedly "weak" district...They are East Carter & Lewis Co...I went back to the 2003 season...Over the last 3 years, Raceland is 2-3 against those "weak" teams while Russell is 5-0 (6-0 if you include beating East twice in 2003)

Again, I said arguably...But, tell me who you would put ahead of them in the area on this side of the river over the last 30 years...

 

I'm really not trying to argue and I hope none of my Raceland friends take offense...Those who read my posts know that I try to avoid that type of stuff...I'm just wanting someone to explain why it's wrong or arrogant to suggest that Russell play Raceland only if they agree to play at Russell while the Raceland faithful "appear" to be all too happy to play all their games with Ashland at Ashland...I've tried to look at this logically and cannot see why it is not the best overall solution...I know everybody likes to play at home but this reminds me of the family Thanksgiving dinners when we were first married...I wanted to have the dinner at my house but our house was smaller and while we could have squeezed everyone in, not everyone would get to eat together and I realized that the best solution would be to let the ones who could better accomodate the guests host the dinners...

 

This game is not mandatory like our district games so there is no need to squeeze in somewhere when there is more room 3-4 miles away...Lets work out a mutually beneficial financial solution & play some football...:thumb:

My goodness Devil58 you sure do speak for alot of people, and I must say you do sound a little arrogant. You'll have to excuse me I'am new on here, but I have read been reading past posts and yours seem to stand out more than most, you seem to have the tendency to bash someone at the begining of a post an praise them at the end, maybe so you won't look so arrogant?

My goodness Devil58 you sure do speak for alot of people, and I must say you do sound a little arrogant. You'll have to excuse me I'am new on here, but I have read been reading past posts and yours seem to stand out more than most, you seem to have the tendency to bash someone at the begining of a post an praise them at the end, maybe so you won't look so arrogant?

Sorry you feel that way BADCAT and welcome to BGP...I guess, like many others on here, I can be a little stubborn when I get on a roll but I really try not to be arrogant or anti-anyone on here...I am a Red Devil fan first but I have a lot of close friends and/or family at every school in the area...

 

Enjoy your time on here...See you down the road!!

Interesting thread.

 

I'm in the camp of we shouldn't play anyone that won't play us at home. AND I think the only reason we go to Ashland every year is for the financial package. But I could be wrong.

Wow, the 3-0 Lawrence Co. game at Raceland is my all time favorite game at Ram Stadium! I was a junior that year when Bo (the Toe) McDaniel made the kick. We went crazy in the stands and the stadium was packed! I remember that game like yesterday in the 92 season! Anyway Raceland-Russell game would generate alot of local interest and could be a real interesting series I know in 69 season(Russell star) Kasey Clark's dad Kenny Clark scored the winning 2 pt conversion for Raceland in a 8-6 win over the Devils!

Kasey has a great line of football blood. I played football with his uncle Raymond at Raceland and he was also a great running back. Good speed and tough as nails. It would have been nice to see Kasey in Orange & Black:thumb:

If I were Raceland then I'd have Ashland and Russell coming to my place. So what if some of the fans have to stand. The ones that need to sit can and the ones that don't will probably have the option. There is a huge difference in playing on your home field in High School during big games.

As far as Russell and Ashland having the same accomodations....? Ashland has one of THE best fields in the state. Russell is an outstanding program with a very rich tradition. I have friends that coach and are very involved there but the football facility isn't in the same ballpark with Putnam!

 

Yea, I know what you mean....Russell's visitor's locker room is ACTUALLY functional...