Rail City rivals hope Week 2 offenses catch up to Week 1 defenses

Records: Russell (1-0), Raceland (1-0)

BGP Ranking: Russell (#7 in 3A), Raceland (#2 in 1A)

Series History: Russell leads 30-23-7 all-time 

Table Setter: Separated by just a couple of miles, the Red Devils and Rams will get together on the hill to play out the 13th incarnation of the Rail Cities Bowl - the series has only used that moniker since 2007. The last time Raceland made that drive, resulted in one of more forgettable nights in their recent memory. Russell rode a wave of domination at the line of scrimmage to roll the visitors 41-0. Any such notion of a repeat performance this year should be met with extreme skepticism.

Raceland notched the biggest win in NEKY in Week 1 as they walked into Putnam Stadium and upended the defending 3A state champions. The offense struggled to gain traction, but the defense picked up the slack with five turnovers, including a fumble return for a score. The win has the Rams trending up in the 1A rankings. A victory over their neighbors this week would give them consecutive wins over ranked 3A rivals. 

Russell travelled to Florence to help Boone County break in its new turf and found a Rebel club ready and willing to defend its newly christened back yard. It took the Red Devils some time to find some offensive footing, but running lanes eventually opened for Andre Richardson-Crews and Brayden Hartman. Russell's defensive effort mirrored Raceland's: outside of a few miscues, they more than did their job.

Week 1's results suggest a low scoring game that could boil down to turnovers and field position, but both teams are blessed with quarterbacks and skill people that could turn any game into a shootout.

I miss Old Rambler’s insight on here.

1 hour ago, GOREDDEVILS said:

I miss Old Rambler’s insight on here.

This is a game he would really get up for. I know his health wasn't great last I heard. Hopefully he's hanging in there and able to follow the game this week. 

Raceland is young at a lot of key positions, yet they conducted themselves with poise and grit last week at Putnam. The Rams appear to be ahead of schedule and may contend this year in 1A.

Russell needs a full game out of Bradley Rose this week. If he's able to give them that, this game should be up for grabs in the fourth quarter.

If Raceland shows up with the same mental attitude and execution they could pull the upset again this week. Russell needs it offense to be clicking on all cylinders and the defense to control the line of scrimmage and they win a tight one at home. 

Russell will need Bradley Rose the whole game this week. Last week he left the game with cramps.

I’ll say 20-17 Russell.

 

My gut's telling me Raceland wins this thing. I think their improvement on both lines will make the difference. 

I'm not sure after the Ashland/ Boyd County game last night. Russell stands a good chance to win. I think it's 50/50.

Russell to receive. 

Russell pass play goes for 56 yards on the first snap of the game. Bradley Rose to Carson Patrick.

The drive culminates in an 8 yard touchdown run by Andre Richardson-Crews.

7-0 Russell 

9:19 in the 1st quarter 

8 yard td run by Andre Richardson-Crews.

7-0 Russell 9:19 1st.

Easy peasy for the Red Devils on that opening drive. 

Raceland to begin at its own 16.

Russell linebacker Max Coburn jumped a route and picked off Logan Lundy's pass. Nothing between him and the end zone for the pick-six.

14-0 Russell