After starting the season 0-3, discouragement was high around the Russell fan-base. However, the players never bought in to it. They continued pressing towards a goal, winning 8 of their last 9 and now hosting 3A Powerhouse Central. Central suffered a couple of early set-backs as well. However, Central losses came to 6A top 10 teams, St X and Ballard, games that Central was in position to win.

 

Russell's defense has been solid most of the year however their offense has been suspect, going through droughts when they were unable to move the ball. It seems like Russell RB Landon Duvall will be able to return Friday night after sitting out two weeks with a hamstring issue. Russell will certainly need him. While Central has few flaws there defense is their crown jewel. In the last 6 games, Central has allowed only 12 points total. The only times this season the have allowed 10 points or more was against St X and Ballard.

 

Central will be bringing their charter buses (and hopefully a pan of catfish )across the state for a 3.5 hour drive to Russell. Weather will be cold but at this point the forecast is showing a dry night. Who wins and why?

I have loved seeing Russell turn it around this year and really turn into a tough team.

 

The Devils are playing very good Defense and peaking at the right time.

 

Unfortunately, they are not on the level of Central.

 

Central 35-7

The bad part for Russell is that Bardstown played so badly that Central went to base offense handoffs and didn’t even show what they could do. They just handed off to Williams. The most athletic player is Goodall, and when they start running real RPO they could score 100. Won’t be close.

Russell just doesn't have the overall team speed to keep this game close. I'd love to eat crow and see Russell pull the upset.

Russell just doesn't have the overall team speed to keep this game close. I'd love to eat crow and see Russell pull the upset.

 

I agree! I would also like some crow if Russell pulls this one off.

This is going to be a formidable challenge for Russell to overcome. Central is possibly the best team to visit Henry R. Evans Stadium since some of Bob Lutz's great Ironton teams from the 80’s. They don't appear to have dropped off much, if at all, since their championship years under Scroggins. This is an ‘all hands on deck, and batten down the hatches’ situation for the Red Devils.

 

As a running quarterback, Goodall is in the same class as Ashland's Braxton Ratliff, which could be problematic for Russell. Ratliff ran all over them back in Week 3. Whether it's a designed run or improvisation when the play breaks down, Goodall's extremely dangerous with his legs. Paired with Williams and Linton, this will be the best, most explosive backfield Russell's seen in a long time. Those three alone have accounted for 3,200 yards and 49 touchdowns.

 

Goodall doesn't worry me as much with his arm. He's not terribly accurate, as evidenced by his 44% completion percentage. But he is careful with the ball - only two picks thrown so far this year. Problem is, they've been nearly impossible to stop on the ground in recent weeks. Goodall hasn't really been forced to do much with his arm lately. Russell has to change that.

 

I've been saying it for weeks, but it's especially applicable here... Russell has to play disciplined on defense. No breakdowns in assignments. Even the slightest mistake - a missed gap responsibility, a bad pursuit angle - and it's off to the races. Russell's not a team that's built to play keep up against an opponent that's racing up and down the field like it's a track meet.

 

If Russell hopes to have any shot at victory, this needs to stay a low scoring game. Because I just can't see the Red Devils putting many points on the board. Regardless of what shape Central's offense is in, great defense is usually their calling card. Scroggins or Dantzler, it doesn't matter. They're always among 3A’s best on that side of the ball. The Jackets have allowed 21 points over the last seven games. The only teams to reach double digits on them were St. X and a Ballard team whose four losses so far have come to Central, Boyle County, Male and Trinity.

 

None of this is to say Russell has no chance to win. The players have to believe in the game plan they've been practicing all week, and they have to believe in their ability to compete with someone the caliber of Central. Belief is a powerful thing. The Russell-Flatwoods community needs to pack the Hank this Friday. I don't care how cold/rainy it is. Dress accordingly and show up in force to support this team. They've come a long way since 0-3. I want to feel an atmosphere this Friday that harkens back to Belfry in 2005. The Hank hasn't felt that kind of energy in a long time. You never know, it could make a world of difference for those young men in maroon.

Through my years on BGP, I have eaten enough crow that I have developed quite a taste for it. I would love to have another big plate of crow with a Red Devil win.

ttt