Games to Watch in NEKY in 2016

[Ram]

Russell/Greenup County

The Backyard Brawl just added a new twist, Greenup County is now coached by Scott Grizzle, the nephew of Russell's Coach TJ Maynard. Russell has some work to do to develop an offensive line, Greenup too has work to do, but who will win this inter county (and inter family) contest.

 

Raceland/Greenup County

Greenup's Coach Scott Grizzle is not only TJ Maynard's family, he is a former Raceland player and coach who will be putting his new squad up against the team he helped coach last season. Should make things interesting for the County Championship.

 

Raceland/Ashland

Always a great game for fans and player alike. Over the last few years, Ashland has won some games that showed them losing in every category except the scoreboard, will this be the year Raceland wins that stat?

 

Ashland/Johnson Central

Johnson Central has Ashland's number, will Ashland be able to get over the Matney hump? Ashland has had trouble with Johnson Central, after losing against them in some years where the opposite was expected. Could it be a year when no one expects it to happen that the Tomcats get the win?

 

Raceland/Lucasville Valley, OH

I think the first year of this matchup last year set the stage for this game to be interesting. Valley is normally a strong opponent and Raceland matches up well with them but learned last year that you have to play the entire game.

 

 

What are your thoughts on these games? What other games should make the "much see" list?

[DevilMayCare]

Russell/Greenup

After some close Russell wins in this series recently, Greenup's due to win one. The Musketeers are trending up, but I can't go against the Devils here. Line play will be the difference between Russell being just pretty good or potentially very, very good. I have faith in TJ's ability to develop linemen. Russell has some good ones. They just need some experience.

 

Raceland/Greenup

I think this one will be very close for the second straight year. After a 12-6 score last season, I look for a little more offense from these two in 2016.

 

Raceland/Ashland

This one will be close like the 2014 game, but with the Rams coming out on top. I think Tony Love will coach his kids up and Ashland will be dangerous by season's end, but this will be their first game of 2016 and I think they'll still be searching for an identity.

 

Ashland/Johnson Central

Last year, this game was a must see for fans of old school, physical, defensive football. The Tomcats have to replace all of their offensive and defensive linemen, while JC returns many starters in the trenches. Considering all that Ashland lost, I just don't see this one being very close.

 

Raceland/Valley

Valley has been one of the better programs in southeast Ohio in recent years, but lost a lot of good skill people. The Rams gave them all they could handle last season and Valley will be making the trip to Raceland in 2016. This is a hard one to call because I have no idea what Valley is going to look like. It's a pretty safe bet that they'll field a quality team, though.

 

Other games of interest:

 

Paintsville @ Raceland

Probable district title game. This one should more closely resemble last year's playoff rematch than the regular season blowout.

 

Russell @ Raceland

These teams went to OT last year. Expect a similar affair in 2016. In a dream scenario, each team would be sporting matching 9-0 records coming in.

 

Russell @ Fleming County

The Red Devils shouldn't have any trouble getting up for this one. Last year, the Panthers dealt Russell an 18-7 setback in Flatwoods that cost the Devils a district championship.

[Ram]

Good job DevilMayCare.

 

What games are others looking forward to this season?

[sidelinedoc]

I think we can add Ashland/Russell to this list. This game is always interesting and too tough to call. Russell wasn't supposed to go into Ashland and win 2 years ago and Nick Conley ran wild. I look for another Putnam classic.