2009 Raceland

[Ram]

What does Raceland need to do to improve in 2009? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

[Ram]

Raceland Football – 2009

 

1. Play A Quality Schedule.

One of the keys for Raceland to continue to improve and to become a perennial 1A power is to continue to play the larger schools, and continue to play a quality non-district schedule to better prepare them for the quality 1A teams they will see in the playoffs. Last year, in non-district games, Raceland played one 1A team (Paintsville), three 3A teams (Russell, East Carter, and West Carter), one 4A team (Greenup County), and one 5A team (Ashland). The Schedule has changed a little for 2009 Raceland replaced the only non-district 1A team with 4A Boyd County, and replaced 3A West Carter with 3A Fleming County. This schedule, along with several quality District Games, will well prepare Raceland for the playoffs. The match up with Russell has really taken on a life of it’s own and is a true playoff atmosphere against a quality opponent. Ashland will be a very strong 5A team in 2009 and will provide a quality early test for Raceland, in another playoff type atmosphere. Greenup County is a large school that is a county rivalry. East Carter has really made the series interesting, and provides a hard fought game for Raceland to be tested. With the addition of two larger schools in Boyd County and Fleming County, the Raceland schedule should be good preparation for the post season.

 

2. Stingy defense.

In 2008 Raceland’s defense allowed 14 points per game, with two shut outs. For Raceland to win the big games in 2009, they are going to have to continue the stingy defense mentality. Raceland was hit hard with graduation from 2008, but due to many one sided games in 2008, many second team defenders received some quality varsity playing time. Raceland may have lost quite a few starters, but Raceland returns many players with playing experience. Cody Kelly will be one of the returning starters on defense; he will have to be the leader of “Raceland’s Stingy Defense”. Stingy defense will once again be the key for Raceland.

 

3. Poised offense.

Like the defense, Raceland’s offense was hit hard with graduation, but many players received quality varsity experience. The entire backfield will be new, but all the players taking those positions gained invaluable experience in 2008. The quarterback position may have some compition with Junior to be Tyler Farley, sophomore to be Marcus Reed and sophomore transfer Mason Rister. Farley has the lead in this compition and may be the starter. At running back Cody Kelly will start in one position. The other back will have some strong compition between Michael Litteral, who has a good 2008 season, before an injury, Jeremy Barr, who transferred in and was the leading rusher and leading receiver in 2008 for his team, and Ralph Burchett. Several starters return on the OL and receiving corp. To win early, Raceland’s offense is going to have to mature and learn to work together.

4. Special teams.

Special teams are the place that Raceland needs the most improvement. In 2008, Raceland lacked the deep kicking ability, and gave opponents the ball outside the 35 most times. Raceland has to find a kicker to kick deep and give the defense the opportunity to play inside the opponent’s 30. Punting was spotty in 2008, Raceland needs to find a punter that can be used as a weapon to pin opponents deep and give the defensive the chance of winning the battle of field position.

 

5. Feed off of the 2008 Success.

Coming off of a 2008 season that yielded a 12-1 record, a perfect regular season, a District Championship, an Eastern Kentucky Conference Championship and several big wins, the 2009 Raceland team must build on the winning way they have learned and play with the same intensity that brought about the great season last year. The 2009 team has seen what it takes to win, and what it takes to win the big games; they must build on that lesson learned, and expect to win.

 

6. Players to watch.

Cody Kelly (Sr) RB/LB – Two-year starter that will be a force on both sides of the ball. Cody may be the leading rusher for Raceland and will probably be the leading tackler. A lot will be expected from him.

Michael Litteral (Jr) RB/LB – Michael will be expected to mature fast and will be looked to for good things. He got some experience last season at kick returning, that may be where he is needed the most.

Bobby McKee (Sr) WR/DB – Should be the leading receiver, and will have to be a force in the defensive backfield, and is a solid return guy. Bobby has a lot of potential and he will need to use it to help lead Raceland.

Cody Grant (Sr) OL/DL – Plays Center on the offense and will be the leader on the OL this year. Good size, great feet for a big guy. Cody will have to step it up on the defensive side and become the run stopper on the DL.

Ralph Burchett (Jr) RB/DB – Will need to mature and step into a starting role on defense and maybe offense. Good speed and a tough young man. Ralph will need to become a playmaker.

Rocky Jobe (Sr) OL/DL – Will be one of the two returning linemen, and has good size and will have to be a strong force to help anchor both the OL and the DL.

Eddie Compton (Sr) OL/DL – Was used in 2008 at the sixth lineman, and gained a lot of experience. He is like a returning starter with his experience. He will help shore up a solid OL.

Marcus Reed (So) QB/WR/DB – Marcus will be used in several different ways, and add another detention to the Raceland offense. Look for great things from Marcus over the next three years.

Edited February 5, 2009 by Ram

[Ram]

Returning players from 2008:

 

No.	Name	Height	Weight	Position	Grade
2	Bobby McKee	6’ 0”	180	WR/DB	11
3	Sam Hieneman	5’ 8”	135	WR/DB	10
5	Patrick Hamilton	5’ 9”	140	WR/DB	11
7	Luke Johnson	5’ 8”	175	QB/LB	9
8	Scotty Craft	5’ 5”	120	WR/DB	10
9	Daniel Jones	5’ 6”	140	WR/DB	11
10	Johnny Shearer	5’ 10”	140	WR/DB	11
14	Tyler Farley	6’ 0”	190	QB/LB	10
15	Tyler Nethercutt	5’ 8”	135	WR/DB	9
16	Marcus Reed	5’ 11”	150	QB/WR/DB	9
23	Ralph Burchett	5’ 8”	145	RB/DB	10
28	Loren Huffman	5’ 8”	140	WR/DB	11
31	Cody Kelly	5’ 11”	200	RB/LB	11
34	Michael Litteral	5’ 7”	170	RB/LB	10
37	Jessie Potter	6’ 1”	155	RB/LB	11
41	Dylan Scaggs	5’ 9”	180	RB/LB	11
51	Rocky Jobe	6’ 0”	250	OL/DL	11
52	Austin Johnson	6’ 1”	240	OL/DL	10
53	Brandon Rogers	5’ 5”	185	OL/DL	9
55	Deacon Griffith	5’ 8”	185	OL/DL	11
56	Johnny Smith	5’ 7”	205	OL/DL	9
57	Jacob Flocker	6’ 0”	225	OL/DL	11
60	Akhil Shastry	5’ 4”	135	OL/DL	9
62	Rodney Salyers	6’ 1”	325	OL/DL	11
65	Cody Grant	6’ 1”	250	OL/DL	11
66	Brian Caudill	6’ 1”	235	OL/DL	9
67	Luke Bonzo	5’ 10”	170	OL/DL	11
71	Zack Harris	5’ 10”	205	OL/DL	9
72	James Harris	5’ 9”	230	OL/DL	9
74	Justin Evans	5’ 10”	220	OL/DL	10
77	Eddie Cumpton	5’ 10”	200	OL/DL	11
78	George Hall	5’ 8”	240	OL/DL	10
82	Phillip Thompson	6’ 0”	160	WR/LB	9
84	Justin Ratcliff	6’ 2”	170	WR/LB	10
85	Michael Hall	5’ 11”	130	WR/DB	11

[Ram]

Raceland Schedule 2009

 

Aug. 7 Meet the Rams TBA

Aug. 15 EKC Grid @ Raceland

Rowan Co. vs. Lewis Co. 5:00pm

Morgan Co. vs. Fairview 6:30pm

Raceland vs. West Carter 8:00pm

Aug. 22 Scrimmage vs. Frankfort 6:30pm

 

Aug. 28 @ Ashland 7:30pm

Sept. 4 @ Fleming County (EKC) 7:30pm

Sept. 11 Greenup County 7:30pm

Sept 18 East Carter (EKC) 7:30pm

Sept. 25 Nicholas County (EKC) (D) 7:30pm

Oct. 2 @ Paris (D) 7:30pm

Oct. 9 Fairview (EKC) (D) 7:30pm

Oct. 16 @ LCA (D) 7:30pm

Oct. 23 @ Boyd County 7:30pm

Oct. 30 Russell 7:30pm

 

Nov. 6 Playoffs 1^st Round

Nov. 13 Playoffs 2^nd Round

Nov. 20 Regional Championship

Nov. 27 Semi-Finals

Dec. 4 State Championship

[Commander 25]

Ram I think that you have everything covered.:laugh:

[Ram]

Raceland Junior Varsity 2009

Aug. 31 Ashland 6:00pm

Sept. 14 @ Greenup County 6:00pm

Sept. 21 @ East Carter 6:00pm

Sept. 28 Lewis County 6:00pm

Oct. 5 West Carter 6:00pm

Oct. 12 @ Fairview 6:00pm

Oct. 26 Boyd County 6:00pm

 

Raceland Freshman 2009

Sept. 3 @ Ashland 6:00pm

Sept. 17 @ Greenup County 6:00pm

Sept. 24 East Carter 6:00pm

Oct. 1 Lewis County 6:00pm

Oct. 8 @ Coal Grove, OH 6:00pm

[Ram]

Ram I think that you have everything covered.:laugh:

Is it football season yet?:banana:

[Commander 25]

Is it football season yet?:banana:

 

I agree I can't wait. It won't be long now we are ready here in Bell Co I know that you all are ready in Raceland.

[oldrambler]

Thanks for the info Ram, is it August yet? I am ready for another edition of slobber knokin' Orange Crush Raceland Ram Football!!!

 

Lets, get ready to pick up that lunch pail and go to work Rams on every weight lifting session, running, every practice, spring workouts, summer practice/ Camp Ram ..........all leading to opening night 2009! :dancingpa

[sidelinedoc]

Brian Caudill will be a beast on the line for us this year. He has Robbie Logan qualities and potential.

[PureFan]

Best wishes to Raceland next year, except versus Greenup! It looks as if you have a lot of talent!

[ryanparker]

Raceland certainly has the ability to be good again this upcoming season, but I don't see how they can match the 2008 team. I wish them the best, but the fact is you don't lose guys like Logan, Carver, and Denton and be just as good. Those guys were very special players. That's not to mention the loss of Tyler Boyles at quarterback! I didn't realize it so much watching them play football, but Boyles is a tremendous athlete. I just watched Raceland play basketball the other night and he clearly stands out as the best athlete on the floor. You simply don't lose that kind of athleticism and talent without a little drop off.

 

I don't mean that to come across as negativity as I hope they are successful again next year...I just think the seniors they lost were really, really good.

 

I think the Raceland schedule is outstanding. Really, it's the best they can do as the only "weak" games on the schedule are district opponents who they have to play. The Ashland, Greenup County, Fairview, LCA, Boyd County, and Russell games should be enough to get the Raceland fans excited and should prepare the team for the playoffs. The biggest obstacle I see for Raceland this year is LCA, though! Judging from what I saw in the playoff game last season, the guys they have returning are tremendous. They are essentially what Raceland was in 2008...a team full of experienced players, several of which have the ability to play at the next level.

 

That being said, I think Raceland has an excellent coaching staff who will make the most of the talent they have returning. I look for them to have another successful season. I just think there will be a few losses along the way this time.

[sidelinedoc]

Raceland certainly has the ability to be good again this upcoming season, but I don't see how they can match the 2008 team. I wish them the best, but the fact is you don't lose guys like Logan, Carver, and Denton and be just as good. Those guys were very special players. That's not to mention the loss of Tyler Boyles at quarterback! I didn't realize it so much watching them play football, but Boyles is a tremendous athlete. I just watched Raceland play basketball the other night and he clearly stands out as the best athlete on the floor. You simply don't lose that kind of athleticism and talent without a little drop off.

 

I don't mean that to come across as negativity as I hope they are successful again next year...I just think the seniors they lost were really, really good.

 

I think the Raceland schedule is outstanding. Really, it's the best they can do as the only "weak" games on the schedule are district opponents who they have to play. The Ashland, Greenup County, Fairview, LCA, Boyd County, and Russell games should be enough to get the Raceland fans excited and should prepare the team for the playoffs. The biggest obstacle I see for Raceland this year is LCA, though! Judging from what I saw in the playoff game last season, the guys they have returning are tremendous. They are essentially what Raceland was in 2008...a team full of experienced players, several of which have the ability to play at the next level.

 

That being said, I think Raceland has an excellent coaching staff who will make the most of the talent they have returning. I look for them to have another successful season. I just think there will be a few losses along the way this time.

 

Great post, Ryan.:thumb:

[Hip-Hop Box]

Is the Scrimmage at Frankfort?

[Guest Bluto]

Don't you guys have someone transfering in from the other side of the state, who went to a large school?