Russell Round Robin 7 on 7

[GOREDDEVILS]

Changes in Offseason Take Root

 

Ray Schaefer | For The Daily Independent

 

FLATWOODS For a second, it looked like an October night.

 

The Russell and Lewis County football teams were not competing for a Class 3A, District 5 title. The Red Devils and Lions were instead two of 12 squads flinging passes at Friday’s third annual 7-on-7 round-robin at Russell High School.

 

Thursday was Russell’s first day of practice. Coach T.J. Maynard said this week is a matter of relearning base offenses and defenses.

 

“Seven-on-7 for us is for our kids is to be able to just go out and compete,” Maynard said. “We’ll really get down to practice starting next week.”

 

Though the games were as much about bonding as bombs, Russell’s tandem of junior quarterback Austin Church and senior running back Nick Conley combined for a long touchdown.

 

Conley begins his fourth varsity season. He’s watched Church the last two.

 

“He definitely had the physical talent (as a freshman),” Conley said. “Over the past two seasons he’s definitely matured a lot as a quarterback. We all believe in him; we think he’s definitely ready to take over the reins.”

 

Friday was not Church’s first time taking snaps. He spent most of 2015 on the junior varsity but played part of a varsity win against Ironton and started in a home loss to Ashland and a win at Boyd County.

 

“Varsity is faster and stronger,” Church said. “You just learn all kinds of different ways of the game; different coverages, different routes you run.”

 

Maynard said Church’s arm is somewhat stronger thanks to spending lots of hours in the weight room. “As he progresses, we’ll try to open up a little bit more to allow him to show off what he can do,” Maynard said.

 

Before Smith-to-Conley, Lewis County connected deep. Junior receiver Tay Offutt caught sophomore quarterback Garrett Applegate’s pass between two Red Devil defensive backs. Starter Isaac Kelly arrived late, but he later hit Applegate for a score.

 

About 30 minutes after Russell-Lewis County, Greenup County’s past and present collided. Former Musketeers coach Chris Mullins brought his Paul Laurence Dunbar Bulldogs against the school he led to a 6-6 record and the second round of last year’s Class 4A playoffs.

 

“Bittersweet” is how Mullins described the evening.

 

“If you coach the game the right way, then you build relationships and you love your players,” Mullins said. “I’ve only been gone (from Greenup County) for a couple months; the love for my old players is still there, and I’m developing a new love for my new players.”

 

First-year Greenup County coach Scott Grizzle said the main thing you’ll notice about the Musketeers is the quicker pace.

 

“We’ve got a great group of seniors,” Grizzle said. “Parker Clarke is an All-Area receiver, he’s back for us. Jherrell Jackson and Peyton Ailster are both senior defensive ends. Caden Warnock will be our senior running back, and Jake Wright will also be one of our senior running backs.”

 

Clarke wasn’t used to the two-a-day weight room sessions that started a couple weeks ago.

 

“We were gassed,” Clarke said. “ We’re doing great now.”

 

Mullins didn’t have any remaining high school eligibility, but it didn’t stop him from being the quarterback Friday because starter Gavin Bugg was hurt. He almost cost his team Friday — on the final snap of regulation, Jackson intercepted a pass.

 

In overtime, Dunbar scored a touchdown on two plays and held Greenup County out of the end zone.

 

Ailster hugged Mullins — like many of his teammates did.

 

“I love my players,” Mullins said. “I’ll love those guys for as long as I’m alive. How could you not? I’ll love these Dunbar guys because they’re my kids now.”

 

There will be a second round-robin today. Fleming County, Prestonsburg, Greenup County, Lewis County and Russell begin at 10 a.m.

Edited July 27, 2016 by Colonels_Wear_Blue
Added Link

[GOREDDEVILS]

Did anyone attend? If so, how did Russell do?