I am so happy with the grit and determination shown on the field last night. Down 12 points with six minutes to go, not one guy one the sideline or on the field said or acted as if the game were over. It is amazing to me that a group with as few varsity starts or playing time could come in with that swagger and confidence. It was told to them before the game by Coach Maynard and I don't think he would mind me sharing this with BGP's, that they were not just playing for each other last night, they were playing for all those since 1929 and they were playing for the ones over in JFL to come. They were playing for Raceland. And when they could realize that, they would rise to the occassion and play Ram football. RAM PRIDE.

That is what is meant by "Tradition Never Graduates". No matter who is in the uniform, the opponents see the same thing.:ylsuper:

Listen Rams, and listen well. Ashland is ready for you. Are you ready for them? Ashland had this date circled on their calender, they are now the ones that want to knock you off, not the other way around, like it used to be. Used to, Raceland would go into Putnam Stadium wanting to shock Ashland. Now things have changed, you are not going to catch Ashland off guard, they know who you are, they are at the stadium waiting for you to show up, so they can prove to everyone they are the better team, they have had to live with losing to Raceland for three years. They are not happy about it, they have heard it since their seniors were freshmen.

 

Ashland is motivated by the thought of beating Raceland. Are you going to be motivated by the thoughts of this Raceland senior class never losing to Ashland in their high school career? That would be a first. No other Raceland class has ever been able to say they never lost to Ashland and held a 4-0 record versus Ashland. Do you want to be part of a team that set a new record at Raceland? To want to set the bar higher? If so, this is your first opportunity.

 

 

 

Fire, Heart, and Desire

Everyone says the Tomcats are going to be ready for this game. Has Ashland not come out fired up and trying to destroy Raceland the previous 2 years? Has it really taken 3 losses in a row at home to the same team to just now get the Tomcats "fired up" for this game? I haven't gotten to see the last 3 Raceland-Ashland games, but I would imagine Ashland would have wanted to beat Raceland pretty badly after the first couple of losses. If so, then Ashland's level of desire to beat Raceland might not even be a factor here. Is this game a "rivalry" in Ashland's eyes yet?

 

I ask this because it is an interesting dynamic you mentioned, Ram. The last few years, Raceland has gotten to be the "little guy" going into the battle with the "big bad" Tomcats. That can be an advantage at times. That's why I wonder if this is still the dynamic in this game?

Edited August 23, 200917 yr by ryanparker

Has Ashland not come out fired up and trying to destroy Raceland the previous 2 years? Has it really taken 3 losses in a row at home to the same team to just now get the Tomcats "fired up" for this game? I haven't gotten to see the last 3 Raceland-Ashland games, but I would imagine Ashland would have wanted to beat Raceland pretty badly after the first couple of losses. If so, then Ashland's level of desire to beat Raceland might not even be a factor here. Is this game a "rivalry" in Ashland's eyes yet?

Ashland has come out fired up everytime, and I am sure they have had the desire to beat Raceland in every game, but like everything else, that competitive drive and desire to win this game has built with every year that they have come up short against Raceland.

 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And repeated loses to one team makes the desire for a victory grow.

I think Ashland wins in a big way. Just a gut feeling.

 

Ashland 42

Raceland 20

I honestly think the difference in the game comes down to attrition. We are already minus starters due to injury and to my knowledge, Ashland is at full strength. While it is true, no matter the class size, you can only play 11 at a time. The key is depth and I watched Ashland Friday night and the are deep and fast and they dress double what we do. So, that being said, I think we are still the little guy in this series. We have to play a perfect game and have some luck in order to win this game.

I see in the Boyd Co. thread Raceland (and friends) have renamed Putnam Stadium "Ram Stadium" due to all the beatings they've handed out there.

 

Graybeard, You know that was an erronous post and not hype or a slam. Try and refrain from using a mistake as locker room fodder. Besides, he might not have known that Ashland's AD refuses to play us at Ram Stadium. :popcorn: He may have thought it was our turn to host you. Sadly, I guess the Tomcats don't want to enter our turf. FWIW, I keep kitty litter on our sidelines to keep our footballs dry.......................

I know you are just kidding Doc. But I don't mind not playing Ashland at home. With maybe an exception of Ironton, Ashland has the best football environment in this area in my opinion. The way the field sits below the stands, resembles the horseshoe and very loud! But they could do away with that old cannon anytime:p.

I know you are just kidding Doc. But I don't mind not playing Ashland at home. With maybe an exception of Ironton, Ashland has the best football environment in this area in my opinion. The way the field sits below the stands, resembles the horseshoe and very loud! But they could do away with that old cannon anytime:p.

 

I wasn't kidding.

I see in the Boyd Co. thread Raceland (and friends) have renamed Putnam Stadium "Ram Stadium" due to all the beatings they've handed out there. It's their home away from home.

 

 

I sure hope the Tomcats come ready to paly Friday.

 

Nice attempt at saying, making it sound as all of Ram Nation renamed Putnam:popcorn:. I know that RP is a Russell fan and I am quite sure that some of us....me included quckly corrected that mistake.

 

I can't blame you though, if reversed I woiuld be jumping all over it as well. :popcorn::lol:

 

May both the Tomcats and Rams stay injury free and I wish the Ashand Tomcats all the best............. after Friday night :thumb:

Ashland should win this one but I wouldn't count out the Rams. I did the other night and they fought back. They seem to never quit. That is why you play the game.

So, that being said, I think we are still the little guy in this series. We have to play a perfect game and have some luck in order to win this game.

 

:thumb: My thoughts exactly, Raceland enjoys playing teams/traditions like Ashland and carries the utmost respect for the Tomcat program. As has been said over and over there have been and still are several connections with the two school systems.

Yes, I would love it for Ashland to come to our place ad play even if it were 2 at Putnam, 1 at Raceland type thing. Having said that I really don't mind playing at Putnam..... great history and tradition and the best setting in this area for high school football. I will say that playing Ashland at Putnam every year would be the only school that I would ever consider doing that with. Ashland schools, coaches , players and fans are a class act and have always had and will continue to have my respect.

 

All that has been ta1lked over a1nd over on here so I wil just finish with.....

Finish The Drill Rams!!!

 

Come Friday night I hope that you can "shock the state" with the upset of the Tomcats.

I wasn't kidding.

 

:lol: I know, I was using sarcasm. I thought I had inserted after I said "Doc I know you're kidding". Smilies are a task on an iPhone as i'm sure you know.

That is what is meant by "Tradition Never Graduates". No matter who is in the uniform, the opponents see the same thing.:ylsuper:

 

:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

"Ram Pride" runs deep in everyone that has ever walked the halls of that school and that goes for all students be they athletes or not, all are on one page here!!!

It's almost Monday, time to go back to work for the Rams. Grab that lunch bucket and put in a full weeks work. Maybe some overtime. Rest is for the weekend. Last weeks payday is behind us, time to forget about that, and move on to the next task at hand.

 

We have Cody Kelley back from a weeks vacation, and I heard it straight from him, that he is well rested and ready to get back to work and help fix some problems we had last week. I think he is ready for manual labor, watch out scout team, he is focused.

 

You can never have to much Fire, Heart, and Desire. In fact, the more you have, the better off you are.