I have to disagree with many Russell supporters. I didn't think Russell was even close to their HYPE! Jones will be one of the best in the area on either side of the ball. Without seeing any other 3A team this year (thus far), I would hesitate to rank them in the top four unless by default. I would reckon that Mason Co. may end the Devils run in both District and Region streaks. I am basing these cynical statements on the fact that I was VERY DISAPPOINTED with both line plays by the Devils and their lack to tackle consistently throughout the scrimmage (yes, 1st team too). They may have a couple of players who hit hard, but they are not hitting as hard as some on here are stressing, they hit as hard as many, many, many other HS teams in the area.

I know it is early, and I don't totally understand how HS scrimmages work and what the coaches are trying to accomplish. But, I hope that the Russell coaches were "experimenting" with different lineups and evaluating younger players, b/c they did not perform up to the standards and hype all the russell fans are posting!

Some of what you say is correct. Execusion on the line was sloppy. Tackling, espeacially the younger kids needs improvement. But if you came to a scrimmage expecting to see anything that resembled a real game than you fooled yourself.

 

The hitting was good in this scrimmage. Spring Valley is as big and physical as anybody in the area. It was a good proactice. Yes sometimes players didn't wrap up on their tackles but filling the holes and delivering the blows were there. They also moved to the ball well. All in all it was a typical scrimmage. I'm not worried about Russell.

I have to disagree with many Russell supporters. I didn't think Russell was even close to their HYPE! Jones will be one of the best in the area on either side of the ball. Without seeing any other 3A team this year (thus far), I would hesitate to rank them in the top four unless by default. I would reckon that Mason Co. may end the Devils run in both District and Region streaks. I am basing these cynical statements on the fact that I was VERY DISAPPOINTED with both line plays by the Devils and their lack to tackle consistently throughout the scrimmage (yes, 1st team too). They may have a couple of players who hit hard, but they are not hitting as hard as some on here are stressing, they hit as hard as many, many, many other HS teams in the area.

I know it is early, and I don't totally understand how HS scrimmages work and what the coaches are trying to accomplish. But, I hope that the Russell coaches were "experimenting" with different lineups and evaluating younger players, b/c they did not perform up to the standards and hype all the russell fans are posting!

 

You are also correct about Mason Co being a serious threat. They are always very tough and very well coached. Its nice to have them back in the district.

 

They only thing I'm going to disagree with you about is this so called hype not being lived up to. There have only been four Russell fans post on this and none of them have over stated anything about Russell or their outlook for this year.

 

I saw a solid team that is inexperienced in spots. I also saw a team that has alot of potential. If you were looking for offesive fireworks, you were misled.

...I saw a solid team that is inexperienced in spots. I also saw a team that has alot of potential. If you were looking for offesive fireworks, you were misled.

 

...then you don't know Russell football...:thumb:

Devils are solid .. 3A Beware ..

 

No hype , not a homer ...

 

Many challenges this year , but this staff is very good ...

3A Beware the Devils looked real solid ....

 

Offense, Jones gives Devils many possibities on offense and others like #13,#38 will be getting better all year. Jones is 5 yards per carry even on his shortest runs .. He'll drag people for 5.

 

Defense full of kids who can again run ... So if you can't pound it between the tackles , you won't beat the Devils this year ... Jones brings enough toughness for the entire Defense ....

 

Already predicting Devils travel to Belfry ... tougher regular season will help these Devils come playoff time ...

 

Cabell scrimmage will tell more , but no doubt Devils are real solid and will improve each week ....

 

Still shake out to do on both lines ... but coaches have alot to work with ..

 

Here is the Hype I was referring too, and yes I was misled by what a HS scrimmage consist of. This was my very first scrimmage and I guess my excitement gave me a let down of sorts.

 

GoHerd, I agree that what happens now will not matter later, but I am just thinking that there must be massive improvement from Saturday to declare Russell achieving championships of any type soon.

Here is the Hype I was referring too, and yes I was misled by what a HS scrimmage consist of. This was my very first scrimmage and I guess my excitement gave me a let down of sorts.

 

GoHerd, I agree that what happens now will not matter later, but I am just thinking that there must be massive improvement from Saturday to declare Russell achieving championships of any type soon.

 

And there will be improvement. This group has alot of questions coming into the season, you don't lose the players and the experience that the Devils have lost to graduation easily at this level. That being said, there are many younger players and those who have been back ups before that will step up and fill the holes. It may take a couple of games to get all of the positions sorted out, but this staff does an excellent job of putting players in the best positions for them to be successful.

Here is the Hype I was referring too, and yes I was misled by what a HS scrimmage consist of. This was my very first scrimmage and I guess my excitement gave me a let down of sorts.

 

GoHerd, I agree that what happens now will not matter later, but I am just thinking that there must be massive improvement from Saturday to declare Russell achieving championships of any type soon.

Usually scrimmages are not much more than a glorified practice. You get alot a kids running in and out and alot of different combinations being used. They are not the easiest thing to watch.

I think this team goes as far as Jones takes them. He is the keystone on both offense and defense IMO. He will be a man among boys on most Friday nights. He has to stay healthy and lead this team.

And there will be improvement. This group has alot of questions coming into the season, you don't lose the players and the experience that the Devils have lost to graduation easily at this level. That being said, there are many younger players and those who have been back ups before that will step up and fill the holes. It may take a couple of games to get all of the positions sorted out, but this staff does an excellent job of putting players in the best positions for them to be successful.

 

Every year I go to the scrimmages and come away with the same feeling. Oh no we are going to be down this year. I've read each post here and can see the points of each. I think Russell football will be just fine based on prior years that I have this feeling. Hype??? Why not? I have not seen any yet on here by Russell fans. I could care less about hype by the fans although. I want to see some hype on the field. I saw some hype when Jones was playing the linebacker position. He hit one of the Spring Valley players so hard it knocked the taste out of his mouth. Or at least it should have. It appeared to me after that tackle Russells defense played better. I just hope Jones does not hurt someone out there. I would be very surprised if Jones is not at the middle linebacker position. Sloppy play? I guess you expect that about this time of year. At least I do. Come the first game when everyone knows where they are playing that should go away.

 

Championship Team? Who knows. I did not think the 2005 team was a championship team at this time of year either.

How big is this Jones we keep hearing about and he will be playing what positions?

How big is this Jones we keep hearing about and he will be playing what positions?

6' 210 Played QB and DE against Belfry in last years state semis. He looked very good at LB in the scrimmage.

I think Jones is the closest thing we have to a replacement for Wills at LB. He definitley has the physical abilities, and I guess we'll find out if he has the leadership qualities.

Sounds like a big boy with wheels. I didn't get to see him play last season.

 

Any reason why the returning QB is not lined up to stay in that position?

Sounds like a big boy with wheels. I didn't get to see him play last season.

 

Any reason why the returning QB is not lined up to stay in that position?

He is still lined up at the QB spot. If you would have seen him last year and his ability to break tackles and run over people (ask some of the Belfry folks about the TD pass where it looked like he was sacked), then you would understand the reason why there is talk of playing him at RB. But it is hard to move a kid that played QB in the last two state championship games. Also if he does move to LB do you want your starting QB playing insided LB as well? Either way he is a big strong kid that will do great things.

He is still lined up at the QB spot. If you would have seen him last year and his ability to break tackles and run over people (ask some of the Belfry folks about the TD pass where it looked like he was sacked), then you would understand the reason why there is talk of playing him at RB. But it is hard to move a kid that played QB in the last two state championship games. Also if he does move to LB do you want your starting QB playing insided LB as well? Either way he is a big strong kid that will do great things.

 

Sounds like a "high-class problem" to me (one most would like to have).