article 3A Notebook: Red Devils Stick a Fork in Raceland

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Russell Looks Golden in Win over Raceland

 

On a night when Russell High School inducted five all-time greats into the school's athletic Hall of Fame, it was the football Red Devils who looked worthy of being carved in bronze. Or perhaps gold.

 

Russell recovered a Raceland fumble on the opening kickoff and Malakai Anderson scored from seven yards out to give the Red Devils a 7-0 lead just a minute and a half into the game. Russell was hardly challenged from that point forward. Two more first half touchdowns gave Russell a 21-0 halftime lead and from there the rout was on. Unranked Russell pummeled the #4 team in Class 1A, 41-0. Red Devil running back Nathan Conley ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the victory, the first over neighboring Raceland since 2016.

 

Life gets no easier for Russell next week as they again will battle a neighborhood foe, this time the Ironton Tigers. Ironton, who snapped an eight game losing streak to Wheelersburg on Friday, is one of the top teams in Ohio's Division V. And just like against Raceland, the Russell Red Devils will be looking to beat Ironton for the first time since 2016.

 

Taylor County Hits Hard and Rises Higher

 

One of the surprise teams in Kentucky football in 2018 was Taylor County. The Cardinals won twelve games and reached the state semifinals in Class 4A. Even after replacing their head coach and dropping to Class 3A this season, it appears the Cardinals have picked up right where they left off. Taylor County used 133 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Wes Oliver to dominate Larue County, 34-13.

 

Perhaps even more impressive for Taylor County was the defensive effort. The Cardinals forced two fumbles and also picked off a Larue pass. The defensive unit, led by EKU-commit Tre Goodin, forced Larue running back Jeremiah Belton out of the game early with an injury after a powerful hit, limiting the ability of Larue's offense. Both of the Hawks' touchdowns came late in the fourth quarter after the outcome was no longer in doubt.

 

Bell County Makes Most of Rare Chance Against a Ranked Foe

 

Rarely is a Dudley Hilton coached Bell County football team underestimated but that could be the case this time around. With the most recent realignment, the Bobcats were placed in a district without any traditional powers. Their non-district schedule includes mid-level area rivals and a bowl game against a Collins program that is typically good but has fallen on hard times the last couple of years. That's what made Friday night's game against Knox Central, the ninth-ranked team in Class 4A, so important. It was perhaps the one chance for Bell County to make a statement during the regular season.

 

Make a statement they did. Bell County scored three times in the first half and played stout defense the rest of the night, beating Knox Central, 22-8. The win opens the door for a potential undefeated season as the Bobcats will be favored in every remaining regular season game. But with an old coach like Hilton, who now has 381 career wins, you won't see Bell County looking ahead.

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Around the Rankings

 

#1 Christian Academy of Louisville dominated from the outset, putting a 36-0 spanking on Christian County in the Jerry Claiborne Bowl. The Centurions have pitched consecutive shutouts to begin the 2019 season.

 

#2 DeSales rebounded from a season opening loss to a 6A power in St. Xavier by beating 6A power Butler in game two. DeMarcus Avery ran for 68 yards and two touchdowns to lead a balanced attack.

 

#3 Belfry was challenged all evening by Class 2A #4 Lexington Christian but the Pirates ultimately prevailed, 39-20, in night one of the Pike County Bowl. Isaac Dixon rushed for 207 yards and a touchdown while Peyton Hensley added 142 yards and two scores for Belfry.

 

#5 Ashland won the school's 700th game in dominant fashion, whipping Boyd County, 53-7.

 

#6 Elizabethtown had perhaps the toughest challenge of any 3A school in Week 2, facing Class 6A #5 North Hardin. The Panthers led 7-6 at the half after a Joe Becherer touchdown and 13-12 after three quarters. It wasn't enough, however, as the visiting Trojans took the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter on a Lavell Wright touchdown run.

 

#7 Paducah Tilghman's running game was again in full effect as they waltzed past Louisville Holy Cross, 50-21, at the Louisville Central BSN Bowl. Damien Ford and Jayden Freeman combined for over 450 total yards and scored all seven Blue Tornado touchdowns.

 

#8 Glasgow had no trouble with 1A Russellville, romping 56-0. Glasgow had 436 total yards offense while holding Russellville to a mere 28. Quarterback Tanner Abernathy threw for three touchdowns in the win.

 

#10 Mercer County was methodical in beating Allen County-Scottsville, 32-19, in the Rebel Bowl at Boyle County. Malachi Yulee rushed for 207 yards on the evening for the Titans.

 

Extra Points

 

Bardstown poured it on late with 21 fourth quarter points to top Danville, 28-7. Tereylin Calbert had seven catches for 152 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers.

 

East Carter handled Lewis County with ease, beating the Lions 49-0 on Friday night. Jacob Underwood scored twice on the ground and returned a punt for a touchdown as the Raiders started 2-0 for the third consecutive season.

 

New Estill County coach Jordan Marcum won his first game in his first outing as the Engineers toppled Powell County, 36-14. Quarterback Ty Niece had three rushing touchdowns for Estill.

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Three to See

(Each week the 3A Notebook will preview the three best games featuring Class 3A teams for the coming week)

 

1. Campbellsville at Taylor County. Two in-county rivals who are both off to terrific starts and care very little for each other. Campbellsville is ranked second in Class 1A while Taylor is ninth in Class 3A. Campbellsville handed Taylor their only regular season loss in 2018.

 

2. Russell at Ironton (OH). Russell looks to continue their winning ways across the river at Tanks Stadium. Ironton has dominated the series historically, holding a commanding 28-5-1 record all time. Russell did win back-to-back games against the Tigers in 2015 and 2016, but before that the last win came in 1977.

 

3. Mercer County at Anderson County. Mercer has been a pleasant surprise to start 2019 but will face their stiffest challenge of the season when they travel to their northern neighbor Anderson County this Friday. Anderson, just outside the Class 4A top ten, has beat the Titans each of the last two seasons.

 

Just One More

(Tired of the same teams every week? Want to go off the beaten path for a 3A game this Friday night? Each week we'll look at an under-the-radar matchup to watch in Class 3A)

 

George Washington (WV) at Ashland. This doesn't appear to be one of George Washington's best teams but any time teams from across state lines square off it is always a fun evening. The Tomcats and Patriots have met each of the last eight years with George Washington holding a slim 5-3 series edge.

[Hearsay]

The most impressive team to me was E-Town. North Hardin is a really good 6A team, and that kind of performance solidified my belief they should be up there with CAL, Desales and Belfry.

 

I think Bell is over-ranked. Off the record, I think insiders at Bell will confess concern about youth and being one dimensional, and that Knox Central is down and likely a 5-5 team.

 

I agree that Russell appears to be very balanced and impressive.

 

Taylor’s victory over Larue was solid, but Larue is fairly one-dimensional and lost Belton in the first quarter to boot. I think more will be known after a dynamic Campbellsville team this week.