Many years have been “the year” for the Rams. Most of those seasons have been safe speculations with great teams. This season is probably less spoken about and probably lacks the amazing talent that was expected to win it all in the past. But, as someone who has followed the Rams for a long time, I’m saying, “this is THE year”.  What say you?  If you disagree, what team will stop the 15-0?

 

 

Don't know about 15-0, but I think they have a good shot at a state championship.

Coaching! No different than the state championship last year! 

As a Raceland alum myself, there have been many a year where several in RamLand say "This is the Year" with 2008 being the most likely and most realistic shot. Raceland returns a stud in Stiltner and several key pieces. They looked the part against Belfry just last Friday, but the age old question still looms amongst "The Years": Will coaching allow them to win the big games?

In 2008, any knowledgeable Ram fam will tell you the coaches took their foot off the pedal against LCA in the third round. In 2013, the first time the Rams played in the semi-finals, 14-7 ball game at half with a blowout ensuing in the second half. During their first state title appearance, they were outmanned, but coaching during that game certainly let the spectators know the coaches also thought the same...with fast screens galore. However, last year against Sayre was their best shot at bringing the big trophy home. Though it was a great game to watch and spectate, it still seems coaching was the difference in the key moments of the game.

What stops the Rams from going undefeated? Themselves. Ashland gleams heavily in that first game, though after that, they may be favored in just about every game by more than 14 points. Matchup week 3 will be the true test to as where Raceland stands in 1A. Pikeville has lost key pieces, specifically up front. Raceland has some big men in the trenches that can compete night in and night out. Weeks 1 and 3 are the tests. The rest are tune-ups before the semi-finals where coaching is key. Can the Rams go 15-0? Yes. Will they? You'll know after Week 3. 

19 minutes ago, Little Ram said:

As a Raceland alum myself, there have been many a year where several in RamLand say "This is the Year" with 2008 being the most likely and most realistic shot. Raceland returns a stud in Stiltner and several key pieces. They looked the part against Belfry just last Friday, but the age old question still looms amongst "The Years": Will coaching allow them to win the big games?

In 2008, any knowledgeable Ram fam will tell you the coaches took their foot off the pedal against LCA in the third round. In 2013, the first time the Rams played in the semi-finals, 14-7 ball game at half with a blowout ensuing in the second half. During their first state title appearance, they were outmanned, but coaching during that game certainly let the spectators know the coaches also thought the same...with fast screens galore. However, last year against Sayre was their best shot at bringing the big trophy home. Though it was a great game to watch and spectate, it still seems coaching was the difference in the key moments of the game.

What stops the Rams from going undefeated? Themselves. Ashland gleams heavily in that first game, though after that, they may be favored in just about every game by more than 14 points. Matchup week 3 will be the true test to as where Raceland stands in 1A. Pikeville has lost key pieces, specifically up front. Raceland has some big men in the trenches that can compete night in and night out. Weeks 1 and 3 are the tests. The rest are tune-ups before the semi-finals where coaching is key. Can the Rams go 15-0? Yes. Will they? You'll know after Week 3. 

You bring up some great points. 
 

2008 was the first and best opportunity.  And, to your point, if anyone would asking the coaching staff from that year, they would opening take the blame for that season’s ending. I know Coach Vanderhoof has said as much himself many times. 
 

2013 was historic and had an opportunity but I personally feel that semi-final game could went differently. 
 

Last season was painfully obvious for many of us. Heck, I remember @theguru yelling “run the ball” and I venture a guess that Chad Pennington was thinking, “I hope they don’t run the ball”.   
 

It all comes down to, “dance with the one that brought you”.  

With what the Rams have returning, I think this season they have the best shot at going 15-0 in as many years as I can remember. Only time will tell and the question should be a little more easier to answer after week three. Pikeville lost some bodies up front, along with the QB Isaac Duty, RBs  Brenden Anthony, Blake Caudill, and others. That was some pretty good production. But that was last season. Look for a totally different offence this season. In scrimmages and practice, the D looks to be ahead of the O and return some pretty good athletes all together. Roster will be on the thin side and depth will have to be built. Just don't know how effective this team will be this season, but we'll see. Facing the likes of state champ CAL just right out of the gate will be a huge task at their place. The important thing will be to avoid injuries. In a couple of weeks after the CAL game, the Panthers welcome the Rams for what should be an interesting game, and questions for both teams should be answered. Rams 15-0 this season?  Again, only time will tell.

8 hours ago, Ram said:

You bring up some great points. 
 

2008 was the first and best opportunity.  And, to your point, if anyone would asking the coaching staff from that year, they would opening take the blame for that season’s ending. I know Coach Vanderhoof has said as much himself many times. 
 

2013 was historic and had an opportunity but I personally feel that semi-final game could went differently. 
 

Last season was painfully obvious for many of us. Heck, I remember @theguru yelling “run the ball” and I venture a guess that Chad Pennington was thinking, “I hope they don’t run the ball”.   
 

It all comes down to, “dance with the one that brought you”.  

I think to one play from that game and it was the first and 10 play action. Sayre had to load the box. 

Why not quick game or something but you had to know that with how they were picking up 4-6 yard per carry the box was going to be loaded. He continues to run the ball that trophy could very well be sitting in Raceland.

Hard to tell, I will say Raceland is capable of going 15-0 even with the tough schedule they have. The most important thing for Raceland, regardless of what their record is, is that they are playing the right ball at the right time. Raceland has great reason to be excited knowing they came close to a state championship last season and return a vast majority of the players from that team. Not to mention, they are getting top notch experience in scrimmages against Belfry and Wheelersburg before the season even starts. That being said, 15-0 could be a trap if they are not careful. Of course you want to win, but focusing on their development week to week is the more important aspect. Think of 2021 Belfry - 5-5 in the regular season but utilized the 0-5 start they had to win the state championship with two of those games being decided by seven points or less. 

I know this is cliche with some of my posts, but I always think to the wrestler Sting who said, "The only thing that's for sure with Sting is that nothing's for sure." That same quote applies to sports at this level. If Raceland were to lose, it could be for a variety of reasons. Maybe injury to a key player, sometimes the opponent comes in and plays out of their mind especially knowing they have a chance to pick up a big win against Raceland, sometimes Raceland might have a night where they just struggle. Something like the 2008 playoff game when Breathitt County pulled off a major upset 14-12 over Belfry in the state semifinal. Belfry outgained Breathitt by nearly 100 yards in that game but had 4 turnovers compared to 1 for Breathitt. One of those came early, Belfry had the ball in the redzone before fumbling and Channing Fugate would break one to put Breathitt up. If something happened to Raceland to where they would lose, I would see it being along those lines, especially like the 07 Breathitt/Belfry game.

As for Raceland's success. Every school has their own unique story. For Raceland, it goes to show how their program has been tough and consistent over time despite being a smaller school. They went from a school where a deep run in the state tournament was almost unheard of, to where they were knocking on the door, to where it is now an expectation. If I am correct they got to the regional finals in 1975, but outside of that It took until 2006 for Raceland to make it back there in part due to having an opposing district in the playoffs consisting of Beechwood, Bellevue, and Newport Central Catholic. Raceland continued to knock on the door and despite struggles against Lexington Christian Academy especially in 2008, they still got back to the regional finals in 2009 with a very young team in Coach Randy Vanderhoof's last season as head coach. Fast forward to 2013 and for the first time ever Raceland would make the state tournament under T.J. Maynard. Four years later, a young team unexpectedly reached the state finals under Mike Salmons. Now, the last time Raceland came short of at least the state semifinals was 2020, a loss to eventual state championship that won its next three games by at least two scores, two of those games by a combined 63 points. Raceland has some remarkable accomplishments.

When I think of Raceland, I think of this kind of toughness. One of their signature wins came in 1991 in the season opener against Ashland at Ashland. After trailing 13-0 early to the defending state champion, it looked like a scenario of "here we go again" against a team they never defeated until that night. Raceland adjusted, made some great plays including stopping an Ashland drive late in the game, and pulled off the 14-13 win. That is the signature toughness Raceland is known for. Ashland would eventually win six in a row and be up double digits on Covington Catholic in the regional final before an injury to star player Chris Hutt. So it's not like the cupboard was bare at Ashland despite losing several players from the prior season. Raceland is known for their toughness, and I expect that they will continue to claw away and be in contention to have a shot at winning 1A.

I don’t know but I said that after the end of last season that this season should be one of their best chances at winning state, if not best. My opinion hasn’t changed about this as of now .

Wheelersburg put it in the Rams tonight.

9 hours ago, ProblemChild said:

Wheelersburg put it in the Rams tonight.

Any idea on a "score" for this one?

Anyone?

18 minutes ago, theguru said:

Any idea on a "score" for this one?

Anyone?

27-7.

2 minutes ago, Bac2369 said:

27-7.

So, Wheelersburg (OH) 27 Raceland 7?

2 minutes ago, theguru said:

So, Wheelersburg (OH) 27 Raceland 7?

Correct.