Key losses: Jayden Frasure QB,Anderson Haggard RB, DB, Cayden Pennington WR, DB, Zach Brown OL, DL,Reagan Banks OL, DL,  Jayden Pennington WR, DB, Grayson Kiser WR, DB, Caden Mitchell WR, DB, Tate Smith LB, OL

Key Returnees: Kanenan Jacobs TE, LB, Kaiden Benge RB, LB

I'm sure I missed A lot but this is a start.

Hopefully @DevilMayCare will chime in with some other key returnees and losses.

TJ Maynard has officially been rehired per Russell athletics facebook page.

Welcome Back, Coach Maynard!
Russell Athletics is proud to announce that Coach T.J. Maynard has been rehired as the Head Varsity Football Coach.
Coach Maynard’s leadership, passion for our student-athletes, and commitment to the Red Devils tradition make him a tremendous asset to our program and school community.
We are excited for the future of Russell Football under his direction and look forward to the continued growth and success of our program.
Welcome back, Coach!

1 hour ago, GOREDDEVILS said:

TJ Maynard has officially been rehired per Russell athletics facebook page.

Welcome Back, Coach Maynard!
Russell Athletics is proud to announce that Coach T.J. Maynard has been rehired as the Head Varsity Football Coach.
Coach Maynard’s leadership, passion for our student-athletes, and commitment to the Red Devils tradition make him a tremendous asset to our program and school community.
We are excited for the future of Russell Football under his direction and look forward to the continued growth and success of our program.
Welcome back, Coach!

Did he retire from teaching and come back for the football coaching job?

14 minutes ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Did he retire from teaching and come back for the football coaching job?

Yes, he was the athletic director. Now it's Jeff Frasure.

48 minutes ago, GOREDDEVILS said:

Yes, he was the athletic director. Now it's Jeff Frasure.

Is Jeff still the middle school principal as well?

Just now, 16thBBall Fan said:

Is Jeff still the middle school principal as well?

Yes, but they are actively looking for another principal.

8 minutes ago, GOREDDEVILS said:

Yes, but they are actively looking for another principal.

I was curious he is always my contact for both the middle school girls and boys conference. 

On 1/19/2026 at 3:02 PM, GOREDDEVILS said:

Key losses: Jayden Frasure QB,Anderson Haggard RB, DB, Cayden Pennington WR, DB, Zach Brown OL, DL,Reagan Banks OL, DL,  Jayden Pennington WR, DB, Grayson Kiser WR, DB, Caden Mitchell WR, DB, Tate Smith LB, OL

Key Returnees: Kanenan Jacobs TE, LB, Kaiden Benge RB, LB

I'm sure I missed A lot but this is a start.

Hopefully @DevilMayCare will chime in with some other key returnees and losses.

You pretty much covered the graduation losses. There are several guys coming back alongside Benge and Jacobs: 

Wyatt Hudson (LB) - 100+ tackles each of the last two years. Obvious choice for team captain. 
Ian Lother (OL/DL) - The anchor of both lines for the next two years. He's got a combination of size and mobility that Russell hasn't seen in a while.
Shawn Deskins and Griffin Fisher (WR/DB) - Two very promising young athletes that will be featured prominently catching and defending the pass.
Jordan Rowe and Lane Osborne (RB) - They should round out a pretty stout and versatile stable of backs along with Benge.
Dameon Williams (OL/DL) - A returning starter on the DL and a valuable piece to support Lother in the trenches.

The incoming junior class is good enough to keep Russell in the Top 10 and competing for semifinal berths the next couple of years. Quarterback play could make or break the Devils this coming season and I have no clue who will take the snaps. Hudson is a likely candidate, as I believe he's played the position before.

Russell 2026 Schedule:

8/21 Coal Grove, OH Away 7:00 pm
8/28 Greenup County Home 7:30 pm
9/4 West Carter Home 7:30 pm
9/11 Paintsville Away 7:30 pm
9/18 Ashland Away 7:30 pm
9/25 Fleming County Home 7:30 pm
10/9 Lewis County Away 7:30 pm
10/16 Bath County Home 7:30 pm
10/23 East Carter Away 7:30 pm
10/30 Breathitt County Home 7:30 pm

Bump.

Would have liked to see Raceland instead of Breathitt County.  Maybe next year they start it back up.

It looks like Hunter Williams has taken over at qb per Mytowntv.

Hunter Williams x account says he is 6'5. He should be the quarterback for the next 2 years as he is a junior.