The Bible tells us to "love thy neighbor...". It doesn't say anything about wanting to beat your neighbor's brains in on the football field. Raceland and Russell will put aside any neighborly love for a couple of hours this Friday for the latest installment of the Rail Cities Bowl. 

For the first time since 2008, Russell enters the RCB coming off a loss. And not just any loss. It was that special kind of heartbreak that only a last second hail mary can inflict. The Devils were done in by a West Carter bomb in Week 8, giving them two losses in a row following a 5-0 start. This is a crucial "get right" game for Russell. Anything short of a maximum effort this week could send them reeling into the postseason.

Raceland followed up its riveting, walk off field goal win over Paintsville with a last minute road trip to Danville. The Rams came up short against the Ads, but it was a performance that still has them trending upward. The RCB didn't go Raceland's way last year, to say the least. The Rams can surely smell blood in the water, and will be chomping at the bit to take back the trophy. 

This is a game I can see going either way. Conley left the WC game late. If he plays, Russell by 3. If he doesn’t, Raceland by 2.

Would be nice to see Ethan Sharp be able to return for Russell. He's been out all season with a hamstring issue. I hate it for the kid as he's a senior this year.

Raceland is playing good ball. I will be interested in seeing how Russell responds to their first loss to West Carter. This Could be a chance Russell to redeem themselves. Does Russell have any fight left in them this season or have they gave up on the season? We'll find out Friday.

I miss oldrambler's insight on Raceland games. I hope OldRambler is hanging in there.

Two key factors opened things up for Russell a year ago. The gap between the two teams at the line of scrimmage was as wide as the Grand Canyon, and Jake Heighton left the game injured in the first quarter, essentially crippling Raceland's offense. This year, that advantage in the trenches doesn't appear to be there, and Heighton is healthy and probably had this game circled on the calender.

Last year's blowout was an anomaly in the modern era of this rivalry. It's almost always a close, competitive game. I expect a return to that norm on Friday.

Will Conley be playing?

4 minutes ago, Pacman69 said:

Will Conley be playing?

Excellent question. We probably won't have an answer until the pregame this Friday. Unless he's 100%, I'd hold him out. If that's how it goes, advantage Raceland.

8 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

Excellent question. We probably won't have an answer until the pregame this Friday. Unless he's 100%, I'd hold him out. If that's how it goes, advantage Raceland.

Hold him out and lose 3 straight games headed into the playoffs? I’m not sure I would do that. I understand the post season is the big picture but at the end of the day Ashland is beating Russell.

Raceland trending up Russell trending down. I’ll go with the RAMS. 28-21

Game will be live  on https://www.facebook.com/MyTownTV/

or you can view it on Mytowntvhd  youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkNIkUCQL-TK-0r8cL8IwdQ

The game will be synced with kool hits 105.7 fm audio with Jim Forrest on the Call.

if you for some reason  just want audio you can go to https://streamdb9web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WLGCS4

No Jake Heighton tonight for Raceland. Unsure why.

Russell to receive. They start at their own 32.

Three and out for the Devils. Raceland begins at its own 31 following the punt.

10 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

No Jake Heighton tonight for Raceland. Unsure why.

Heighton is quarantined along with his brother. AlsoCarson Patrick of Russell is quarantined.