Sandbagger, you know good and well that Ashland is probably going to be the best team in the area this year.

 

Logic and what I saw on the field for both teams last year would tell me that Ashland should beat Raceland this year. I must say, though, from reading the posts of SidelineDoc, OldRambler, and yourself, I'm starting to think Raceland might have a chance!!! :-) In all seriousness, you guys are terrific representatives and salesmen for the Raceland football program. Every school should be so lucky to have fans like yourself to keep spirits and enthusiasm high.

Logic and what I saw on the field for both teams last year would tell me that Ashland should beat Raceland this year. I must say, though, from reading the posts of SidelineDoc, OldRambler, and yourself, I'm starting to think Raceland might have a chance!!! :-) In all seriousness, you guys are terrific representatives and salesmen for the Raceland football program. Every school should be so lucky to have fans like yourself to keep spirits and enthusiasm high.

Thanks Ryan, we all just love our school and want to share it with others. We see it from the inside, and not everyone gets to see that part, I just want to let everyone get a glimpse of Raceland. In my opinion, the best representatives to relay information about what Raceland is, is the parents and students that come from other areas and other schools. When you ask them what they thank about Raceland, they are candid and truthful. They have something to compare it too, and they are normally the most complimentary of Raceland. I have heard many times from parents who moved to the area, or transferred their kids to Raceland, "If I knew that Raceland was like this, I would have brought my son/daughter here to start with". To me, that is the best compliment that a school system can get.

 

As for beating Ashland next year, that is going to be a tall order. I think Raceland will once again be a very strong team, but it may take a few weeks for them to get the experience needed to be truly successful. Do I think they can compete with everyone on their schedule? Yes, but it will be up to the players to determine how well they do. I look for a good season in 2009. But, we will have to see what the players want.

One other story for you Ryan: A local business man transferred his son to Raceland, and the father served on the site based council, the son played some sports, but ended up giving up sports but was still involved in other school activities. The father had a line that he said repeatedly, that I love. I have told this story several times. But, he used to always say, "Raceland is the best kept secret in Eastern Kentucky". He said if more people knew more about Raceland that Raceland would double in enrollment. He is now one the biggest ambassadors for Raceland, even though his son has since graduated.

 

Again, thanks for you kind words about the Raceland fans, Ryan. Like we all say, "Once a Ram, always a Ram".

Bigulgly, thanks I think......:lol:. Ryan, you are always observant and insightful. I sure hope that we play up to the players and coaches expectations. We as fans and boosters want to see another successful season, too.:thumb:

Sandbagger, you know good and well that Ashland is probably going to be the best team in the area this year.

 

 

Sandbagger? It's way too early for that - there isn't even a 2009 Ashland thread started yet. Raceland will be good again this year.

 

It is to our disadvantage to have a game under your belt before you play us. Besides, Ram already pointed out that Ashland is probably the pre-season number one area team. I hope we hang with you and keep it respectful.

 

Ashland has been a slow starting team under coach Hart. They usually get better and better as the season progresses. So, it's good to play them early. Ashland will be experienced in the backfield this year, but they have several linemen's shoes to fill - and the LOS is where the battle is won or lost.

Sandbagger? It's way too early for that - there isn't even a 2009 Ashland thread started yet. Raceland will be good again this year.

 

 

 

Ashland has been a slow starting team under coach Hart. They usually get better and better as the season progresses. So, it's good to play them early. Ashland will be experienced in the backfield this year, but they have several linemen's shoes to fill - and the LOS is where the battle is won or lost.

 

Yes, I agree about the LOS. Do you remember who we lost and have to replace? Our lineman could be very good, but that first varsity start could cause mental mistakes. I am already nervous. In a good, competitive way of course.

Edited February 17, 200917 yr by sidelinedoc
seem to have a hard time spelling competitive

Sandbagger? It's way too early for that - there isn't even a 2009 Ashland thread started yet. Raceland will be good again this year.

Yes, sandbagger. You're right, it's early, but at this point Ashland is the team to beat in the area. And, yes you're right again, Raceland will be good, but they will lack the experience that they need to be successful in 2009. Of course, anything can happen, but with the backfield that Ashland returns it is reminiscent of 1990 with Charley Johnson, Juan Thomas, and Chris Hutt. I would say that the expectations are pretty high in Ashland, as they should be.

 

I agree with your other point, the LOS is where this game, as well as all other other games, will be won. That match up is the "tell tell sign" and both Ashland and Raceland has some shoes to fill on the OL/DL. Raceland has, basically, three returners at the OL position and, in my opinion, the success of this team will henge on the other two starters on the OL. If the two replacements on the OL are ready and get to the place that they need to be, this Raceland team could be very successful.

 

Good luck to your Tomcats, except for that one game.

With all due respect everyone works hard in the offseason, it comes down to who has the better players. Working hard in the offseason is a standard requirement now for all football programs. Raceland is one of numerous programs that has a great off season program. I have to admit though you must have it bad for the Rams, to post about high school off season program hahaha only kidding.

 

I know you guys work hard, too. I have spoken to a few of your coaches. I guess it is just too hard to not be excited about your boys......wanting it to be pad wearing time!!!! I missed the boat when I went to college. Coach Roy Lucas wanted me to get a teaching degree and coach, but I went the medical route. Now, I get to be around the team, but I am not coaching and getting into the strategies and game planning. This is my curse and I must live with my decision. If I had a do over, maybe I'd be coaching somewhere.:idunno:

Logic and what I saw on the field for both teams last year would tell me that Ashland should beat Raceland this year. I must say, though, from reading the posts of SidelineDoc, OldRambler, and yourself, I'm starting to think Raceland might have a chance!!! :-) In all seriousness, you guys are terrific representatives and salesmen for the Raceland football program. Every school should be so lucky to have fans like yourself to keep spirits and enthusiasm high.

 

Thank you rp. I can say the same for you.....you are a very good high school football and Russell fan, always post positive and will never put a kid down :thumb:.

I fully admit that I can go a little "over the top" sometimes about Raceland football but I can assure anyone that it is all in good fun. I have never or will never put a h.s. kid down. Another thing is, with all of the posting from fans of all teams and any and all games that is one thing that I hope we all can remember and respect...High School Football is about the kids and regardless if anyone thinks they do, tells them not to or what these kids absolutely do read these boards. I would venture to say that a few of us Raceland fans kind of ticked a few of our players off this past season with our various challenges for them on certain games. Those post and remarks were to try and keep them grounded and let them know that they can always be better. I am sure that the Raceland Coaches did a fine job of that all season and it showed with their play, there are other very good coachig staffs around but I personally would rank Raceland's right up there with the best. :thumb:

 

Good luck to all teams everywhere (unless it is on a night that you may be playing Raceland:sssh:) and may all teams on all nights remain injury free.

 

 

Is it August Yet????

 

Lets break out another year of the ORANGE CRUSH!!!!!

Hey, I resemble that remark!:lol:

 

So do I, you don't have to be crazy to be a Ram fan but it certainly helps. :thumb::taz::taz:

So do I, you don't have to be crazy to be a Ram fan but it certainly helps. :thumb::taz::taz:

 

:thumb::thumb:

Getting back to some details about Raceland football for the upcoming season...

 

I know Raceland might have only lost a couple of linemen, but one of those linemen they lost was extraordinary! Logan was an excellent lineman who is going on to play in college. The same holds true for the running backs they lost. Denton and Carver were two of the most intense runners I've seen in our area. They broke a lot of tackles in racking up their yardage. And again, I point out that Boyles was an extremely athletic QB. I just think having these types of players playing on the field beside of you can make it a lot easier on the other guys because other teams have to focus so much of their attention on them. Maybe Raceland has guys of their caliber waiting in the wings. I don't know. I do know it'll be a tall order to live up to how they played, though.

 

Who are the players you guys are looking to step up and fill the roles of these 4 guys?

Getting back to some details about Raceland football for the upcoming season...

 

I know Raceland might have only lost a couple of linemen, but one of those linemen they lost was extraordinary! Logan was an excellent lineman who is going on to play in college. The same holds true for the running backs they lost. Denton and Carver were two of the most intense runners I've seen in our area. They broke a lot of tackles in racking up their yardage. And again, I point out that Boyles was an extremely athletic QB. I just think having these types of players playing on the field beside of you can make it a lot easier on the other guys because other teams have to focus so much of their attention on them. Maybe Raceland has guys of their caliber waiting in the wings. I don't know. I do know it'll be a tall order to live up to how they played, though.

 

Who are the players you guys are looking to step up and fill the roles of these 4 guys?

 

We have Litteral, Barr, Kelly, Troxler, Reed and Scaggs that are good backs. We have several lineman that will be Sophomores and Juniors that can fill the holes vacated by Logan, Chinn, Baldridge and Johanssen. It will definitely be a challenge, but I am an optimisstic fan and believe we have the people in place to step up to the challenge the 2008 class gave them. Will they? We'll see next August.

Getting back to some details about Raceland football for the upcoming season...

 

I know Raceland might have only lost a couple of linemen, but one of those linemen they lost was extraordinary!.................

 

You are right those players that you named were great high school football players and replacing them, well, we can't replace them, but have some very good players to take over for them.

 

Raceland was in a lot of games that allowed the coaching staff to substitute this years starters in and allowed those players to experience the pace and demands of varsity football. All of those players did very well against other teams starters. Raceland will have some very good players to take the field this year, of course, experience would do them a world of good, but by mid season they will have that.

 

On the OL Raceland returns Grant at center, Jobe and Compton at either tackles or guards and Johnson and Caudill will probably be the other two linemen. In the back field, as previously stated, we have a group of good backs that will have to compete for two positions, Kelley, Barr, Troxler, Burchett, Scaggs, and Litteral are all capable of doing a great job, it wouldn't surprise me to see some of those playing in other positions just to get them all on the field. QB, we have another good problem, to many of them. Farley, Reed, and Rister will all be battling for the position, again, it would surprise me to see two or three of them in the game at one time. At WR, Huffman, and McKee are the front runners, but we could see some of the names mentioned in the RB/QB position at one WR, or possibly Jones, Sheare, or Hieneman. The offense is overloaded with talent, I expect to see quite a few different packages throughout the season.

 

On defense, you have Grant, Jobe, Compton, and Caudill or Johnson playing the DL. LB's Kelley will be returning at one position and is a very strong defensive player, Litteral, Barr, and several others will be competing for the other two positions. In the secondary, Huffman and McKee will take two positions, Jones, Hamilton, Shearer, Hieneman, Burchett, Troxler, Reed, and Rister would all see time, maybe some of them at LB.

 

The 2009 Raceland Rams will be one of the most talent rich teams that I have seen at Raceland. Now, don't get me wrong, Last years team was great and had plenty of talent, but this years team has many players with great talent. Now, talent does not always translate to wins and championships, but it sure as heck helps. I am very excited to see where all of this talent end up playing, I would say that you could see several different packages and combinations of players.

 

Talent Raceland will have. Experience Raceland is working on. Tradition Raceland will have to live up too.:ylsuper:

Great post, Ram.