I think Leon Hart and the Ashland coaching staff have made some key moves in personnel, and have the Tomcats going in the right direction. I like the fact that we just beat a sound Belfry team, coached by a legend.

I think we'll continue to get better as the season progresses.

 

All of that said, we now face another coaching legend, with an even stronger team. Clark is (in my opinion) one of the best backs Russell has ever had - and that's covering some ground. He is definitely one of the top three backs in the state this year - if not THE best. Having a strong candidate for Mr. Football in your backfield has to make Russell the team to beat in this one. Put a good line in front of him, and I think the Devils have to be the favorites.

 

I love the Tomcats, and I know we're at home, but speaking from my head and not my heart, I think Russell wins this one by a final score of 28 - 14.

 

 

Frances

 

PS - please keep in mind that I have never gotten a prediction right yet...

 

Frances, I must say Im ashamed. :cry:

Guess I'll go ahead and take Russell by a little.

 

What impressed me the most in the Greenup game was the fact that it wasn't the Kasey Clark show. Trust me everyone knows that we are blessed to have Kasey in the backfield but their were several players that touched the ball and scored. IMHO Ashland cannot focus totally on Kasey and i think that will help us squeak out a win in historic Putnam Stadium.

Ashland-27

Russell-21

When I picked Ashland over Belfry and said Putnam Stadium would be the "player of the game", I didn't mean that Ashland would win because of the officiating. That old and hallowed stadium, like old Alumni Gym, is worth a few points to Ashland. It doesn't always produce, like in the Raceland game, but more often than not, that fine venue produces an extra fumble, a missed extra point, an untimely penalty, or something of a similar nature to help the home team. Maybe it is all of those old players in maroon who still "haunt" the stadium. Maybe not. But, whatever it is, it is a valuable asset to Ashland.

 

Now, having given the foundation for my prediction, I pick Ashland in a close game decided by a timely Russell mistake or two. The stadium will produce.

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

In week 1 Ashland wins the game, IMO, if not for a costly penalty on Thomas' return and some ??? play calling in the Red Zone...What's the expression? Dance with the date you took to the dance...They out-stated Raceland but came up on the short end of a close game...Did the best team win???

 

In week 2 Belfry loses 4 of 6 fumbles they put on the ground, has 2 TD's called back on penalties & another long run into the Red Zone called back on a penalty...They out-stated Ashland but came out on the short end of a close game...Did the best team win???

 

Now we're to week 3, Russell & Ashland, & this may be the biggest game (emotionally) on both teams' regular season schedule...This rivalry really starts with the Kiwanis Bowl and builds toward these players' senior year...No one wants to lose the Kiwanis Bowl & they certainly don't want to lose their senior year...This game means a lot to both teams & emotion can do funny things...

 

Based on what has happened up to week 3, if you look at this game with your brain rather than your heart, Russell has to be the favorite...They are the defending 2A champs returning a huge group of players from that team and are currently rated as #1 in 2A...They easily handled Greenup as expected and totally dominated a West Virginia pre-season top team in Class 3A in a pre-season scrimmage while Ashland has been a roller coaster ride so far...But,

 

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

I love Russell/Ashland games and I hate them too...They are always tough on the old ticker and just like ol' Frances (Aunt Bea), I'm not as young as I once was so twinges in the chest are a little more concerning than they once were...

 

If you look at this series in recent years you can argue that the best team doesn't always win...Many will say that the Arliss Beach lead Ashland team in '01 was better than Russell but they lost...Others will say that the '02 Russell team was better than Ashland but they lost...I think most fans on both sides agree that the '03 Ashland & '04 Russell teams that won were probably the best teams those years but many debate last year's winner even though they went on to win the 2A State Championship...This is what makes a great rivalry and this game has certainly become that over the last 30 years...

 

When I pick a game on here, I always pick with my brain (for what that's worth) and leave my emotions & loyalties out of it...When it's too close to call, I say it's too close to call...If I really think Russell will lose, I say so...This week my "brain" says Russell will win & they are the better team...I will say that they better be mentally ready & not overconfident...The fact that Ashland beat Belfry should open their eyes because we know how tough Belfry is...In 2 weeks of predicting Ashland games I have picked with my brain and missed both times...I hope the 3rd time is the charm and that I'm not losing my mind...

 

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

Russell - 21

Ashland - 14

 

:fire: 58

This is a no brainer. Russell by 12

Usually no brainers are decided by more than 12 points.

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

In week 1 Ashland wins the game, IMO, if not for a costly penalty on Thomas' return and some ??? play calling in the Red Zone...What's the expression? Dance with the date you took to the dance...They out-stated Raceland but came up on the short end of a close game...Did the best team win???

 

In week 2 Belfry loses 4 of 6 fumbles they put on the ground, has 2 TD's called back on penalties & another long run into the Red Zone called back on a penalty...They out-stated Ashland but came out on the short end of a close game...Did the best team win???

 

Now we're to week 3, Russell & Ashland, & this may be the biggest game (emotionally) on both teams' regular season schedule...This rivalry really starts with the Kiwanis Bowl and builds toward these players' senior year...No one wants to lose the Kiwanis Bowl & they certainly don't want to lose their senior year...This game means a lot to both teams & emotion can do funny things...

 

Based on what has happened up to week 3, if you look at this game with your brain rather than your heart, Russell has to be the favorite...They are the defending 2A champs returning a huge group of players from that team and are currently rated as #1 in 2A...They easily handled Greenup as expected and totally dominated a West Virginia pre-season top team in Class 3A in a pre-season scrimmage while Ashland has been a roller coaster ride so far...But,

 

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

I love Russell/Ashland games and I hate them too...They are always tough on the old ticker and just like ol' Frances (Aunt Bea), I'm not as young as I once was so twinges in the chest are a little more concerning than they once were...

 

If you look at this series in recent years you can argue that the best team doesn't always win...Many will say that the Arliss Beach lead Ashland team in '01 was better than Russell but they lost...Others will say that the '02 Russell team was better than Ashland but they lost...I think most fans on both sides agree that the '03 Ashland & '04 Russell teams that won were probably the best teams those years but many debate last year's winner even though they went on to win the 2A State Championship...This is what makes a great rivalry and this game has certainly become that over the last 30 years...

 

When I pick a game on here, I always pick with my brain (for what that's worth) and leave my emotions & loyalties out of it...When it's too close to call, I say it's too close to call...If I really think Russell will lose, I say so...This week my "brain" says Russell will win & they are the better team...I will say that they better be mentally ready & not overconfident...The fact that Ashland beat Belfry should open their eyes because we know how tough Belfry is...In 2 weeks of predicting Ashland games I have picked with my brain and missed both times...I hope the 3rd time is the charm and that I'm not losing my mind...

 

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

Russell - 21

Ashland - 14

 

:fire: 58

 

Good points. Football is a funny and strange game. IMO, Ashland was the better team vs. Raceland...and Belfry was the better team vs. Ashland....but,

better doesn't always lead to wins. Opportunity is the key. Then opportunity presents itself....you've got to be in position to maximize it.

36

28

i give Ashland the edge in front of the putnam crowd..

Ashland=17

 

Russell= 14

:argue:

Belfry beat themselves.

 

Russell 34

 

Ashland 16 :ylsuper:

Russell 28:fire:

 

Ashland 14

Frances, I must say Im ashamed. :cry:

 

LOL - knowing my record in picking winners, you surely didn't think I'd pick Ashland to win it, did you? Talk about putting the "curse" on a team - it doesn't get much worse than having Frances pick you as a winner...

 

 

Frances

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

In week 1 Ashland wins the game, IMO, if not for a costly penalty on Thomas' return and some ??? play calling in the Red Zone...What's the expression? Dance with the date you took to the dance...They out-stated Raceland but came up on the short end of a close game...Did the best team win???

 

In week 2 Belfry loses 4 of 6 fumbles they put on the ground, has 2 TD's called back on penalties & another long run into the Red Zone called back on a penalty...They out-stated Ashland but came out on the short end of a close game...Did the best team win???

Now we're to week 3, Russell & Ashland, & this may be the biggest game (emotionally) on both teams' regular season schedule...This rivalry really starts with the Kiwanis Bowl and builds toward these players' senior year...No one wants to lose the Kiwanis Bowl & they certainly don't want to lose their senior year...This game means a lot to both teams & emotion can do funny things...

 

Based on what has happened up to week 3, if you look at this game with your brain rather than your heart, Russell has to be the favorite...They are the defending 2A champs returning a huge group of players from that team and are currently rated as #1 in 2A...They easily handled Greenup as expected and totally dominated a West Virginia pre-season top team in Class 3A in a pre-season scrimmage while Ashland has been a roller coaster ride so far...But,

 

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

I love Russell/Ashland games and I hate them too...They are always tough on the old ticker and just like ol' Frances (Aunt Bea), I'm not as young as I once was so twinges in the chest are a little more concerning than they once were...

 

If you look at this series in recent years you can argue that the best team doesn't always win...Many will say that the Arliss Beach lead Ashland team in '01 was better than Russell but they lost...Others will say that the '02 Russell team was better than Ashland but they lost...I think most fans on both sides agree that the '03 Ashland & '04 Russell teams that won were probably the best teams those years but many debate last year's winner even though they went on to win the 2A State Championship...This is what makes a great rivalry and this game has certainly become that over the last 30 years...

 

When I pick a game on here, I always pick with my brain (for what that's worth) and leave my emotions & loyalties out of it...When it's too close to call, I say it's too close to call...If I really think Russell will lose, I say so...This week my "brain" says Russell will win & they are the better team...I will say that they better be mentally ready & not overconfident...The fact that Ashland beat Belfry should open their eyes because we know how tough Belfry is...In 2 weeks of predicting Ashland games I have picked with my brain and missed both times...I hope the 3rd time is the charm and that I'm not losing my mind...

 

Football is a funny game!!! :creepy:

 

Russell - 21

Ashland - 14

 

:fire: 58

yes the best team won. Ashland missed several chances to score as well like McDavid's drop that would have for sure been a touchdown. He also had a drop on 3rd and 16 that if he would've caught he would still be running today. Both teams had missed oppurtunities, the better team won.

yes the best team won. Ashland missed several chances to score as well like McDavid's drop that would have for sure been a touchdown. He also had a drop on 3rd and 16 that if he would've caught he would still be running today. Both teams had missed oppurtunities, the better team won.

 

So do you also believe that the best team won in week one of the season against Raceland cause you didnt comment on it?

I did not get to see the Belfry game but I did listen to part of the Belfry Radio broadcast. From the way the Belfry announcers were calling the last few minutes of regulation they were thrilled with overtime. They said that Ashland should have won that game by 3 touchdowns.

 

I believe that win will give the Tomcats they need to get things rolling.

 

Ashland 35

Russell 28