Ashland 28

Racleland 14

This should be one of the more challenging years for Ashland in quite some time in that not only did we lose key leadership and experience to graduation (as did the Rams), but every returning player is playing a different position from the previous season. That doesn’t inevitably spell doom for the Tomcats though…we are not necessarily young, but rather untested.

 

No prediction on the fianl score of this game but I look for weather, as much as “first game jitters”, to play a role in the outcome. Forecast is for 95plus degrees by kick-off this Friday…the team in the best physical condition certainly will have a significant edge come the 4th quarter.

 

As for some of the thread comments about facilities at Raceland…let me just say I really admire what the Ram program has done with your JFL field….Ashland can take a few lessons from what you guys have accomplished.

 

Friday night football is finally upon us!!

:thumb: Thank you for your compliments and nice post painter. The people at Raceland really look to Ashland as being a top notch program and facilities as well. Raceland and Ashland have always had a good respect for each other and I only hope that will continue for years to come. Ashland is a class act from top to bottom :ylsuper: . I also 100% agree with you about the forecast for Friday. I just was listening to the weather and as you said extremley hot temps are predicted. Last I saw was 99-100 degrees forecasted with an even higher heat index. That can definately get dangerous and I am sure that proper measures will be taken ....water breaks, etc. or whatever it takes to keep the kids safe. I know that Raceland goes through and extremely tough conditioning program and it is games like these where it pays off.

This should be one of the more challenging years for Ashland in quite some time in that not only did we lose key leadership and experience to graduation (as did the Rams), but every returning player is playing a different position from the previous season. That doesn’t inevitably spell doom for the Tomcats though…we are not necessarily young, but rather untested.

 

No prediction on the fianl score of this game but I look for weather, as much as “first game jitters”, to play a role in the outcome. Forecast is for 95plus degrees by kick-off this Friday…the team in the best physical condition certainly will have a significant edge come the 4th quarter.

 

As for some of the thread comments about facilities at Raceland…let me just say I really admire what the Ram program has done with your JFL field….Ashland can take a few lessons from what you guys have accomplished.

 

Friday night football is finally upon us!!

 

:thumb: That is what I said previously. Both teams have some of the same wrinkles to work out. And both are untested. Last year was last year, I am sure both teams would like to have some of what they lost to graduation, but we both have to play with what we have this year. I look for both teams to be much different come mid-season.

 

Thanks for the comment on the JFL field. We have worked to make it a nice facility for our youth program, we have been very fortunate to have so many people apply themselves to make it a reality. The JFL field was built to augment our varsity program, I believe it already has began to pay for it's self.

 

I won't make a prediction either, but I think this will be a good HS football game. And should be a good first game for both teams. Both teams have some of the same wrinkles to work out: both have an inexperienced line, both have quality personnel in the backfield, both have a new QB, and both have several new faces replacing dominate defensive players.

 

In by opinion, both teams will have good seasons, and both teams will be much improved come mid-season.

Not trying to stir anything. Just making an observation. (That's why I signed up for BGP.) I knew they had beaten Ashland previously, but I didn't know exactly how many times or what years. But my point remains that that game is normally a "W" in the column for Ashland. It's a tune-up game. It's a Class 5A school vs a Class 1A. It is what it is. That doesn't mean that the game can not be competitive and that yes, sometimes the small school can pull the upset. I would personally love to see them beat the Tomcats again this year, but I just don't think it will happen.

 

:thumb: I believe Raceland has won either 5 or 6 games out of around 14 total, in recent years (1980-present). I can see what you are saying, I didn't mean any disrespect, I am passionate about Raceland Football, as I am sure you are about Russell Football, and many never seem to give Raceland any credit, not meaning you, but people in general. Many times when Raceland wins people want to play it off as a fluke, but when they loose people say things like they are just to small to compete.

 

Also, I can see what you are saying about a tune-up game. I personally see it as tune-up game for Raceland. If you play the toughest out of district schedule as possible, it better prepares your for the playoffs and district play. Playing the best competition with playoff atmospheres will play ten fold come November. That is what is so important for Raceland to play games against such teams like Ashland, Russell, and Greenup Co. They are not only good competition, but also playoff atmosphere.

I don't have a clue about how good Ashland is. I DO know that Raceland will be good, and that I'm pulling for them. I would like to see an undefeated Raceland come to LCA in September - it will make for a more exciting game!

 

Go Rams! :thumb:

 

:thumb: Wouldn't that be pretty awesome, for Raceland and LCA to play undefeated. No matter what happens before that game, it will be a great game to watch.

:thumb: I believe Raceland has won either 5 or 6 games out of around 14 total, in recent years (1980-present). I can see what you are saying, I didn't mean any disrespect, I am passionate about Raceland Football, as I am sure you are about Russell Football, and many never seem to give Raceland any credit, not meaning you, but people in general. Many times when Raceland wins people want to play it off as a fluke, but when they loose people say things like they are just to small to compete.

 

Also, I can see what you are saying about a tune-up game. I personally see it as tune-up game for Raceland. If you play the toughest out of district schedule as possible, it better prepares your for the playoffs and district play. Playing the best competition with playoff atmospheres will play ten fold come November. That is what is so important for Raceland to play games against such teams like Ashland, Russell, and Greenup Co. They are not only good competition, but also playoff atmosphere.

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: Another 5 thumbs up on this post Ram, dang you are good - . You are excatly right in that Raceland plays the toughest schedules that they can. Had we played a schedule like some of these schools have played through the years the record would be even better than what it is (and it is pretty dang good as is ). I try and give credit where and when it is due to all of our local programs. I will also say that imo for the size school that Raceland is and what the football program has accomplished in this area throughout the years that we take back seat to no one in this area and can hold our heads high regardless of a final score or what is said. I know that I feel that way and I believe that you do as well.

 

"You can always tell a Ram fan, just can't tell us much " :lol: :thumb:

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: Another 5 thumbs up on this post Ram, dang you are good - . You are excatly right in that Raceland plays the toughest schedules that they can. Had we played a schedule like some of these schools have played through the years the record would be even better than what it is (and it is pretty dang good as is ). I try and give credit where and when it is due to all of our local programs. I will also say that imo for the size school that Raceland is and what the football program has accomplished in this area throughout the years that we take back seat to no one in this area and can hold our heads high regardless of a final score or what is said. I know that I feel that way and I believe that you do as well.

I would say that Raceland is the best program that no one has heard of. Playing the state champion in the first two rounds of the playoffs has gotten old. But, it's all different now. I look for Raceland and LCA to have good long playoff runs now. I agree with you that we should be proud of the area schools and their success, there have been some fine football teams/programs from this area of the state. Give them the credit they deserve.

"You can always tell a Ram fan, just can't tell us much " :lol: :thumb:

We do have a little chip on our shoulder so everyone will know who we are, as if we would not tell you.

What does the JFL field have to do with any of the comments about Raceland High School's facilities? It is admirable but it of no consequence to the lack of space for large crowds at varsity games. Why has Ashland always insisted on playing Raceland at Putnam Stadium?

 

My comment was simply a compliment of the Raceland community and their commitment to Ram football (in general) and the steps they have taken to provide a very nice resource for their JFL program (specifically). Although these are obviously two separate fields, they both are indicative of how serious the Raceland faithful take their football.

 

As for why Ashland arranges to always play the Rams at Putnam, you would have to ask the people who actually negotiate those agreements. I suspect it has something to do with crowd capacity, but that’s just my guess. There doesn’t seem to be a huge objection coming out of Raceland about this…maybe there is and I just don’t pick up on it. Without exception, Raceland always brings a solid team into Putnam and plays hard til the final horn. Their fan base is the same…lots of ‘em…and they are loud and proud to game’s end.

My comment was simply a compliment of the Raceland community and their commitment to Ram football (in general) and the steps they have taken to provide a very nice resource for their JFL program (specifically). Although these are obviously two separate fields, they both are indicative of how serious the Raceland faithful take their football.

 

As for why Ashland arranges to always play the Rams at Putnam, you would have to ask the people who actually negotiate those agreements. I suspect it has something to do with crowd capacity, but that’s just my guess. There doesn’t seem to be a huge objection coming out of Raceland about this…maybe there is and I just don’t pick up on it. Without exception, Raceland always brings a solid team into Putnam and plays hard til the final horn. Their fan base is the same…lots of ‘em…and they are loud and proud to game’s end.

I agree that the JFL field is nice. It is similar to Russell's JFL field. It takes alot of work to do something like that and all who are involved should be commended.

My comment was simply a compliment of the Raceland community and their commitment to Ram football (in general) and the steps they have taken to provide a very nice resource for their JFL program (specifically). Although these are obviously two separate fields, they both are indicative of how serious the Raceland faithful take their football.

 

Thanks again Painter for your comments. You are right, the JFL complex is indicative of the pride and support that the Raceland/Worthington community has for Raceland Football. The JFL, as well as the entire football program, has huge support from the school system, school administration, the community, and the parents and fans of Raceland Football.

 

As for why Ashland arranges to always play the Rams at Putnam, you would have to ask the people who actually negotiate those agreements. I suspect it has something to do with crowd capacity, but that’s just my guess. There doesn’t seem to be a huge objection coming out of Raceland about this…maybe there is and I just don’t pick up on it. Without exception, Raceland always brings a solid team into Putnam and plays hard til the final horn. Their fan base is the same…lots of ‘em…and they are loud and proud to game’s end.

 

Ashland does want to always play Raceland at Putnum. Raceland gets a portion of the gate money. It has been a mutual agreement for both schools. Would the Raceland fan base like to play Ashland at Raceland? Of course. But, honestly, I have heard only a hand full of complaints from Raceland fans about playing at Ashland every year. Most of the complaints that I hear are from people at other schools. They don't understand why we play at Putnum every year.

 

Like I said, most Raceland fans would love to play Ashland at Raceland, but there in no real complaint from Raceland fans/coaches/parents about playing at Putnum.

I would say that Raceland is the best program that no one has heard of. Playing the state champion in the first two rounds of the playoffs has gotten old. But, it's all different now. I look for Raceland and LCA to have good long playoff runs now.

 

We do have a little chip on our shoulder so everyone will know who we are, as if we would not tell you.

1. I agree, I don't know how many teams through the years that we have lost to in the first couple of rounds that were eventual state champions. I think that it would be a a very high pct.. I know on cetain years that Beechwood, NCC, Belllevue and Ludlow have all been State Champions after beating us in the playoffs. I also would not be afraid to say that some of those teams (especially Beechwood) a few of those years would had beaten anyone in our area regardless of class of school. A lot of people around here just do not think class A football is that good or know how good some of those teams really were. Heck, we could have Budweiser as a sponsor, through the years we have been Beechwood aged :scared: :lol: .

 

2. Who me with a chip on my shoulder :eek: ??? Na :lol: , I just call em' like I see em' and am not politically correct about it . I like it like that.

So am I correct in understanding this is the last year of the Ram-Cat match-up?

So am I correct in understanding this is the last year of the Ram-Cat match-up?

 

This is the last year of the current contract. I don't know if there will be a new contract or not. I hope so, but that is up to the powers that be.

My comment was simply a compliment of the Raceland community and their commitment to Ram football (in general) and the steps they have taken to provide a very nice resource for their JFL program (specifically). Although these are obviously two separate fields, they both are indicative of how serious the Raceland faithful take their football.

 

As for why Ashland arranges to always play the Rams at Putnam, you would have to ask the people who actually negotiate those agreements. I suspect it has something to do with crowd capacity, but that’s just my guess. There doesn’t seem to be a huge objection coming out of Raceland about this…maybe there is and I just don’t pick up on it. Without exception, Raceland always brings a solid team into Putnam and plays hard til the final horn. Their fan base is the same…lots of ‘em…and they are loud and proud to game’s end.

:thumb: Excellent post and one that is greatly appreciated.:thumb:

Who me with a chip on my shoulder :eek: ??? Na :lol: , I just call em' like I see em' and am not politically correct about it . I like it like that.

 

I don't think that political correctness is either or our strong points. And, yes I like it that way.