L️〽️  vs.   ?

Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts (9-2, 3A #8) | Russell Red Devils (8-3)

? With the exception of two games, the Juggernauts’ offense has lived up to its nickname. Lloyd scored 14 points apiece in road losses to the Catholic institutions of Newport and Lexington, while piling on 44 per game in its nine wins.

They were invincible at home, but now leave behind the comfort of Erlanger for Russell, a place they haven't laid eyes on since the turn of the century.

The host Devils have run off six straight wins, allowing just 32 total points in that time. And Russell is rounding into shape, health wise. They're playing their best football at the most opportune time. 

The second round of the 3A bracket is loaded with what should be competitive games that could swing either way, this clash of the Red Devils and Juggernauts certainly being one of them.

Series History ?: Russell leads 6-4 all-time 

Live Stream: Russell's home games are streamed by MyTownTV.

 

Interesting game. 

23 minutes ago, theguru said:

Interesting game. 

I think so too. This is a tough pick, which is good for playoff purposes. I’m definitely hoping for a Lloyd win though.

12 minutes ago, hrcarrier said:

I think so too. This is a tough pick, which is good for playoff purposes. I’m definitely hoping for a Lloyd win though.

Agree on all counts.

Go Jugs!

I think if Lloyd can stop the running game, they have a really good chance of winning this. Go Juggs! 

The last meeting these programs had came in 2003 in the 2A regional finals when there were four classes. Russell came in favored with one of the all-time great backs in Josh Gross. It was a pretty bizarre game - Lloyd Memorial would win 30-12 in a game closer than the final score shows, and part of why I describe it as bizarre is that Russell ended up scoring two safeties in the game. Two big plays in that game helped Lloyd Memorial and that was when (1) with 35 seconds to go in the half Russell had the ball trailing 10-2 and would throw a pick 6, and (2) in the first half when Russell had the ball 2nd and goal from the 1, and Lloyd Memorial would have a phenomenal goal line stand, stopping Russell on three straight running plays.

Another neat fact is the coaching - Russell had Ivan McGlone who won a state championship in 1978 and would win another two years after that loss while Lloyd Memorial would have Roy Lucas who has been successful and now coaches at Simon Kenton.

Fast forward to today. Lloyd Memorial is just two years removed from a state semifinal appearance and has won a lot this year with a tough schedule while Russell has won six in a row, including against East Carter who was just an overtime away last year from what could have been their second state semifinal appearance in three years. 

Lloyd Memorial has a strong passing game and Russell ranks #7 in 3A in both pass defense and rush defense which will make for an interesting matchup. Russell has improved significantly with the pass this season. Elijah Hankins completed only 19 of his 55 passes in his first five games but has since hit his stride, completing 42 of his next 59 - around 71% of his passes. Kaden Benge has stepped up big as a freshman and in the district championship game had over 100 yards rushing against East Carter. 

The dangerous part about Lloyd Memorial is how they spread the ball around in that passing game. Isaiah Sebastian, Elijah Collins, and Colten Barger have 30, 29, and 26 receptions respectively. Tyler Copeland will occasionally make a big reception and in addition to rushing for 12 touchdowns, Yurii Collins makes for a nice receiver coming out of the backfield.

Should be a great game between two tough teams.

3 hours ago, TCR said:

The last meeting these programs had came in 2003 in the 2A regional finals when there were four classes. Russell came in favored with one of the all-time great backs in Josh Gross. It was a pretty bizarre game - Lloyd Memorial would win 30-12 in a game closer than the final score shows, and part of why I describe it as bizarre is that Russell ended up scoring two safeties in the game. Two big plays in that game helped Lloyd Memorial and that was when (1) with 35 seconds to go in the half Russell had the ball trailing 10-2 and would throw a pick 6, and (2) in the first half when Russell had the ball 2nd and goal from the 1, and Lloyd Memorial would have a phenomenal goal line stand, stopping Russell on three straight running plays.

Another neat fact is the coaching - Russell had Ivan McGlone who won a state championship in 1978 and would win another two years after that loss while Lloyd Memorial would have Roy Lucas who has been successful and now coaches at Simon Kenton.

Fast forward to today. Lloyd Memorial is just two years removed from a state semifinal appearance and has won a lot this year with a tough schedule while Russell has won six in a row, including against East Carter who was just an overtime away last year from what could have been their second state semifinal appearance in three years. 

Lloyd Memorial has a strong passing game and Russell ranks #7 in 3A in both pass defense and rush defense which will make for an interesting matchup. Russell has improved significantly with the pass this season. Elijah Hankins completed only 19 of his 55 passes in his first five games but has since hit his stride, completing 42 of his next 59 - around 71% of his passes. Kaden Benge has stepped up big as a freshman and in the district championship game had over 100 yards rushing against East Carter. 

The dangerous part about Lloyd Memorial is how they spread the ball around in that passing game. Isaiah Sebastian, Elijah Collins, and Colten Barger have 30, 29, and 26 receptions respectively. Tyler Copeland will occasionally make a big reception and in addition to rushing for 12 touchdowns, Yurii Collins makes for a nice receiver coming out of the backfield.

Should be a great game between two tough teams.

I was on the sidelines of that 2003 game. That was a great game.

On 11/10/2024 at 5:35 PM, DRKARK said:

I think if Lloyd can stop the running game, they have a really good chance of winning this. Go Juggs! 

When push comes to shove, TJ Maynard likes to run the football. That may be Russell's clearest path to victory. Kaden Benge played beyond his years against East Carter. If this turns into a rock fight, they'll likely lean on him again.

Lloyd's team speed could cause Russell fits. They haven't seen this level of quickness since Ashland, and that didn't end well for the Devils, to put it mildly. That was also the last time they faced a difference maker at quarterback. Ashland's Strader was surgical that night. Based on what little bit I've seen of Caleb Evans, he looks to have similar capabilities. 

The optimist in me believes Russell can get behind its senior laden offensive line and ride them to victory with the passing game sprinkling in a few chunk plays. The realist believes the bigger challenge will be containing the Juggs and preventing a shootout, which I think favors Lloyd. 

Reminds me of the old days. When I first got to Mason(1996), we were in a district with Lloyd, Russell, Newport, East Carter, Fleming, West Carter and Lewis. They added Lawrence Co. in 1997.  

Rudy Tassini at Lloyd & Ivan McGlone at Russell. A couple legends for sure! Lloyd looked like the Steelers. Russell had nothing on their helmets. 

For us (the Royals)... those were HUGE challenges. Tough days but GREAT days. Maybe that is why I enjoy these rebuilds/builds ... nothing like them. Those challenges create a sense of urgency. Everyday matters. Everything you do matters. You must choose wisely what you prioritize.  The best part of turning a program around is that there is no guarantee it is going to happen. No safety net. When the unknown turns into success....very special. 

Sorry to go down memory lane there... good luck to both teams. I get to see Trosper Friday night, or I would be making the trip to FLATWOODS for this one! 

 

15 hours ago, ChiefSmoke said:

Reminds me of the old days. When I first got to Mason(1996), we were in a district with Lloyd, Russell, Newport, East Carter, Fleming, West Carter and Lewis. They added Lawrence Co. in 1997.  

Rudy Tassini at Lloyd & Ivan McGlone at Russell. A couple legends for sure! Lloyd looked like the Steelers. Russell had nothing on their helmets. 

For us (the Royals)... those were HUGE challenges. Tough days but GREAT days. Maybe that is why I enjoy these rebuilds/builds ... nothing like them. Those challenges create a sense of urgency. Everyday matters. Everything you do matters. You must choose wisely what you prioritize.  The best part of turning a program around is that there is no guarantee it is going to happen. No safety net. When the unknown turns into success....very special. 

Sorry to go down memory lane there... good luck to both teams. I get to see Trosper Friday night, or I would be making the trip to FLATWOODS for this one! 

 

Hard not to go down memory lane with some of the classics Mason County and Russell had! 2002 especially - after Mason County turned their program around they played Russell twice, both meetings decided by a combined eight points including the regional final which was a mud bath. Then fast forward to 2007 with the reclass and if I'm correct they were both placed in the same district. The 2007 meeting in the regular season and then in the regional tournament would be decided by a combined six points, the first of which went to OT and there were great meetings between the two schools in the years that followed.

Those rebuilds are intense especially in the off season. Feels like yesterday I was in the weight room as a player. You're always looking back after each weight room and/or practice thinking, "Did I do today what it takes to beat these teams?" It pushes you harder, especially when you're with a program that had a period where they struggled and are looking to catch up and turn it around.

Regardless of Friday's result, this Russell group sure has put the work in. As mentioned in prior posts, this is a senior class that really, really struggled growing up and to see them pull off the district and have a potentially deep playoff run is a real statement for them. T.J. Maynard has done some great coaching jobs over the years at Greenup County, Raceland, and now Russell, but this one could go up there amongst his best especially when you consider how he had to keep this team mentally focused after they struggled early in the season. 

6 hours ago, TCR said:

Hard not to go down memory lane with some of the classics Mason County and Russell had! 2002 especially - after Mason County turned their program around they played Russell twice, both meetings decided by a combined eight points including the regional final which was a mud bath. Then fast forward to 2007 with the reclass and if I'm correct they were both placed in the same district. The 2007 meeting in the regular season and then in the regional tournament would be decided by a combined six points, the first of which went to OT and there were great meetings between the two schools in the years that followed.

Those rebuilds are intense especially in the off season. Feels like yesterday I was in the weight room as a player. You're always looking back after each weight room and/or practice thinking, "Did I do today what it takes to beat these teams?" It pushes you harder, especially when you're with a program that had a period where they struggled and are looking to catch up and turn it around.

Regardless of Friday's result, this Russell group sure has put the work in. As mentioned in prior posts, this is a senior class that really, really struggled growing up and to see them pull off the district and have a potentially deep playoff run is a real statement for them. T.J. Maynard has done some great coaching jobs over the years at Greenup County, Raceland, and now Russell, but this one could go up there amongst his best especially when you consider how he had to keep this team mentally focused after they struggled early in the season. 

2002... 12-7 & 11-8. Toughest losses ever. Will never get over those two. 

Bryson Warner is live right now on Facebook addressing Lloyd.

https://www.facebook.com/100000058279746/videos/1252630369394817/

It was nice to see both Coach Warner and Coach Niederman addressing the team.  Lloyd is lucky to have Coach Niederman.

I still don’t know who to pick for this game. This is probably going to be a really good one. I think that it’s going to come down to who is most mistake free or which defense can win the battle. Good luck to both teams tomorrow night.