Russell travels to Greenup County on Friday for another matchup in the Backyard Brawl. Greenup boasts a three-game winning streak over their cross-county rivals. Russell is coming off a 20-8 victory at home against Coal Grove (OH). Greenup hosts the Red Devils following a 37-6 victory over Pike County Central.

Russell had a strong defensive showing last week and an offensive showing that showed some rust. Twice, the Devils got into the redzone and failed to score. Russell's defense will be tough for any opponent this season, but can their offense catch up to the defense's progress?

Greenup enters this week after a well-balanced attack on offense, though had many penalties. Greenup's defense looked much improved against Pike Central where they really stopped any run game from the Hawks from developing and had one interception. Can Greenup match Russell's physicality this week?

Just like any other game, and especially in this one, the team who wins the line of scrimmage has the best shot at winning this game. If anyone follows Coach Maynard and Coach Jones, the run game will be alive early and often from both teams.

Game will be streamed on MyTownTV: 
https://www.mytowntv.com/

I'll go with Russell 28 Greenup County 17.

Backyard Brawl?   You have to drive through Raceland to get to each other. But neither school will play Raceland.  Sad. 
 

Russell wins 21-14 

2 hours ago, Ram said:

Backyard Brawl?   You have to drive through Raceland to get to each other. But neither school will play Raceland.  Sad. 
 

Russell wins 21-14 

Though football is certainly better in the county when all three schools play, the issue of Russell and GC not playing Raceland goes further than the football programs themselves. There are many tribulations between the administrations between each school (and I’d say school choice isn’t one of those). 

I like what I saw from Russell last week. The defense was stout, Jayden Frasure looked comfortable running the offense, and the team took the fight to Coal Grove on both sides of the ball.

Greenup looked good, as well, but it's early in a transitional, post Tyson Sammons phase for the Musketeers.

I think the timing of this game favors the Devils right now.

9 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

I like what I saw from Russell last week. The defense was stout, Jayden Frasure looked comfortable running the offense, and the team took the fight to Coal Grove on both sides of the ball.

Greenup looked good, as well, but it's early in a transitional, post Tyson Sammons phase for the Musketeers.

I think the timing of this game favors the Devils right now.

Russell's defense certainly looks good and physical. Although, watching the game, Coal Grove looked very underwhelming compared to the preseason hype in the area. Coal Grove looked very sloppy, but I do credit Russell's defense for getting the job done and holding them to very little success. 

Greenup is still finding an identity, though throwing for 176 and running for 172 is about as balanced as you can get on offense. Certainly a bit different following the Tyson Sammons era. 

An interesting matchup looming in Lloyd. It will be a packed house. 

A point of interest in this rivalry goes back to the 1970's. Greenup County's football program was relatively new, their first season being in 1973. Before I talk about it, it's important to note the following. In the 1970's the KHSAA was transitioning to four classes which would hold until it increased to six in 2007. For the first few years there would be two state champions in the 4A class - one was for the Jefferson County schools, and the other was for the rest of the state. The two winners would meet for an overall state championship. Greenup County would win the 4A at-large state championship in 1977 before losing to Trinity in the overall championship.

Outside of a loss to Huntington, WV, Trinity was the only Kentucky team to defeat Greenup in 1977....with the exception of Russell, who would pick up a 17-14 win against the Musketeers at home. Russell would go 10-2, with a tight loss to Highlands in the playoffs.

The next season Russell's 3A state championship team had three losses, two to West Virginia teams. The lone Kentucky loss in 1978 came to Greenup County 15-14 on the road. Talk about a heart pounding Greenup team, they would go 8-2-1 that year, and seven of their games would be decided by three points or less. Russell would go on to win the state championship, winning their three playoff games by a combined score of 63-15.

What a time the 1970's were for football in this area! Greenup County gets an at-large 4A state championship in 1977. Russell wins a 3A state championship in 1978. Ashland has a state finals appearance in 1972, an at-large state championship in 1975. Boyd County has a state finals appearance in 1973. Russell wins a 3A state championship in 1978. Ironton, OH, just across the river, wins a state championship in 1979. 

Russell has controlled much of the series (39-12) with Greenup only having two stretches where they won two of three until 2018, which was the first time they won two in a row and now they have won three in a row and five of the last eight. A good sign for their program. It's not like Russell has struggled the last few years either. T.J. Maynard has always kept them in contention (7.1 wins per year over the last decade, including maybe the best 2-9 team of all-time in 2022) and this year looks to be no different. 

As to the game this year, it should be a dandy as always. As mentioned in a prior post, the enthusiasm is high at Greenup across the board and it is a different atmosphere from before. I believe that has spread to the football program and Coach Jones has been on top of things, being quite determined to cultivate a strong football culture. Last week was very telling of that, with some key losses from last season - their leading returning rusher barely had over 50 yards all last year - combined with a couple of key injuries that hit before the season even started. That was a strong win despite some penalties. I think Greenup will continue to improve and be a tough opponent this season. The question is, how much they will have improved (Especially with penalties) by the time they play Russell.

Russell made an excellent statement as well, picking up a big win against Coal Grove despite not having Benge running the ball. Jayden Frasure did a really nice job throwing the ball going 13/17 with 2 touchdowns. The running game was effective and Russell's line looked physical up front. Russell would have some additional help if the run game with a healthy Benge, but I am unsure of his status. 

As to who wins, Russell would be the one more projected but this is one of those rivalries where the numbers can be thrown out. Should be a great atmosphere and a fun game.

 

6 hours ago, TCR said:

A point of interest in this rivalry goes back to the 1970's. Greenup County's football program was relatively new, their first season being in 1973. Before I talk about it, it's important to note the following. In the 1970's the KHSAA was transitioning to four classes which would hold until it increased to six in 2007. For the first few years there would be two state champions in the 4A class - one was for the Jefferson County schools, and the other was for the rest of the state. The two winners would meet for an overall state championship. Greenup County would win the 4A at-large state championship in 1977 before losing to Trinity in the overall championship.

Outside of a loss to Huntington, WV, Trinity was the only Kentucky team to defeat Greenup in 1977....with the exception of Russell, who would pick up a 17-14 win against the Musketeers at home. Russell would go 10-2, with a tight loss to Highlands in the playoffs.

The next season Russell's 3A state championship team had three losses, two to West Virginia teams. The lone Kentucky loss in 1978 came to Greenup County 15-14 on the road. Talk about a heart pounding Greenup team, they would go 8-2-1 that year, and seven of their games would be decided by three points or less. Russell would go on to win the state championship, winning their three playoff games by a combined score of 63-15.

What a time the 1970's were for football in this area! Greenup County gets an at-large 4A state championship in 1977. Russell wins a 3A state championship in 1978. Ashland has a state finals appearance in 1972, an at-large state championship in 1975. Boyd County has a state finals appearance in 1973. Russell wins a 3A state championship in 1978. Ironton, OH, just across the river, wins a state championship in 1979. 

Russell has controlled much of the series (39-12) with Greenup only having two stretches where they won two of three until 2018, which was the first time they won two in a row and now they have won three in a row and five of the last eight. A good sign for their program. It's not like Russell has struggled the last few years either. T.J. Maynard has always kept them in contention (7.1 wins per year over the last decade, including maybe the best 2-9 team of all-time in 2022) and this year looks to be no different. 

As to the game this year, it should be a dandy as always. As mentioned in a prior post, the enthusiasm is high at Greenup across the board and it is a different atmosphere from before. I believe that has spread to the football program and Coach Jones has been on top of things, being quite determined to cultivate a strong football culture. Last week was very telling of that, with some key losses from last season - their leading returning rusher barely had over 50 yards all last year - combined with a couple of key injuries that hit before the season even started. That was a strong win despite some penalties. I think Greenup will continue to improve and be a tough opponent this season. The question is, how much they will have improved (Especially with penalties) by the time they play Russell.

Russell made an excellent statement as well, picking up a big win against Coal Grove despite not having Benge running the ball. Jayden Frasure did a really nice job throwing the ball going 13/17 with 2 touchdowns. The running game was effective and Russell's line looked physical up front. Russell would have some additional help if the run game with a healthy Benge, but I am unsure of his status. 

As to who wins, Russell would be the one more projected but this is one of those rivalries where the numbers can be thrown out. Should be a great atmosphere and a fun game.

 

Always love reading about the history of football in NEKY. Most things, I’ve already read, but most of it is also without a full scope of context. 
 

Thanks, TCR, and well stated. Neither team may be the best team in the area, but I believe this is the best game in this area this Friday. 

NFHS Video.

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/greenup-county-high-school-greenup-ky/gam13e1f18c65

tail gate show starts about 6:25.

Frasure heaves one deep to Cayden Pennington in stride to get Russell on the board first.

7-0 Devils

1:27 1Q

Frasure keeps it from a yard out.

14-0 Russell 

4:32 2Q

Frasure finds the other Pennington twin, Jayden, for another touchdown.

21-0 Russell 

:45 2Q

Halftime 

Russell 21

Greenup County 0

Russell 21

Greenup County 7 3rd quarter