Although the avatar conversation is riveting...here's an interesting thing I came up with off of the KHSAA website (I know, I am a statistical geek who loves looking at the numbers). Here's each team's record since 1990 (that's as far back as I could find) going into Friday night's game:

 

Raceland 139-78 (64% of games won)

Ashland 138-88 (61% of games won)

 

It's interesting that the 2 teams are so close.

 

Nice information, Ryan. I am interested to know how we fair against common opponents in that same time frame. Can you do that, too?:thumb:

Raceland is no match for the Tomcats. Too much speed on the outside. Ashland by 4+ TD's

I'm going with Ashland here for 3 reasons.

1- Speed

2- Speed

3- Speed

If you can't catch a cat, you can't beat a cat. Ashland will be alot better upfront than Boyd County, so I think the speed will be a big factor.

Nice information, Ryan. I am interested to know how we fair against common opponents in that same time frame. Can you do that, too?:thumb:

 

Here's the comparison between Ashland and Raceland since 1998. That's as far back as the KHSAA site shows individual game stats.

 

Here's how they've fared against common opponents:

 

First, here's how they do against each other. Raceland leads the series in the last 10 years, 4-2, although Ashland has outscored them by an average of 26-14.

 

Ashland is 5-6 against Russell although they outscore them by an average of 23-22. Raceland is 1-1 against Russell while Russell has outscored them by an average of 29-17.

 

Ashland is 4-5 against Johnson Central and gets outscored by an average of 24-21. Raceland has only played Johnson Central once in the time period. They lost 19-8.

 

Ashland is 2-0 against East Carter and outscores them by an average of 58-16. Raceland is 7-4 against East Carter and outscores them by an average of 30-22.

 

Ashland is 9-3 against Boyd County and outscores them by an average of 28-19. Raceland has only played Boyd County once in the time period, last Friday, when they beat them 27-26.

 

Ashland is 6-0 against Rowan County and outscores them by an average of 43-16. Raceland is 2-0 against Rowan County and outscores them by an average 38-8.

 

Ashland is 10-2 against Greenup County and outscores them by an average of 35-14. Raceland is 4-7 against Greenup County and gets outscored 23-18. As you can see, this is the only series that jumps out as being sort of lopsided. Greenup dominated Raceland until the last 4 games. Raceland has won the last 4 against Greenup.

 

Ashland is 6-2 against Lawrence County and has outscored them by an average of 34-25. Raceland is 0-2 against Lawrence County and gets outscored by an average of 48-3.

 

Ashland has only played Fairview once in the time period and beat them 40-6. Raceland leads the series with Fairview 9-4 and by an average score of 24-16.

 

That does it for common opponents. Here's a couple more series totals that are interesting to me. Ashland is 3-0 against Belfry, who they play next week, and has outscored them by an average of 30-21. However, Ashland's worst nightmare is Ironton (OH) who has beat them the last 10 times by average score of 38-9. Ashland gets to play Ironton in a few weeks. Lexington Christian has beaten Raceland 8 out of the 11 times they've played by an average score of 31-24.

Excellent posts RP. Lots of good facts, matchups, and history in that post. And I also like it because it involves my 4 years of varsity for the Rams(2000-2003).

You da man Ryan, that is great information. Thanks.

When I look at the results of the Ironton-Ashland series over time, I think I've figured it out...maybe Ashland is just conditioned to be scared to death every time they see a team in orange on the other side of the field! :-) Getting beat 10 straight times by nearly 30 points per game (and I imagine it goes back further than that) might do that to a team.

Ashland had them beat a few years ago. I believe it was 05. Ashland atempted a short fieldgoal for the win as time expired but missed. They ended up losing by one point. I think this was the year Ashland had Ian Holbrook, and Angel Gurulie(spelling?) when they only lost 2 regular season games.

Another thing that stood out to me as I went over the results is that Raceland really has proven themselves to be among the top programs in Northeastern Kentucky over the last 20 years. I have sometimes been guilty of questioning the quality of competition they've played, but I now realize they have winning or even records against most all of the area teams and their schedule really hasn't been that different from Ashland or Russell. I mean, for 5 years in a row, Ashland followed up their yearly loss to Ironton with a beatdown of hapless Magoffin County. That seemed like good scheduling. :-)

 

It is clear, though, that Ashland, Russell, and Raceland are the top 3 teams from the Northeastern Kentucky area by a landslide. With the exception of one or two down years, they've stayed consistently good over time, which is difficult to do. I, of course, would be remiss if I didn't mention Russell's 176-63 (74% of games won) record over the same time period. :-)

 

All this being said, I still stick with my 42-41 prediction with Ashland coming out a winner. Even though they're probably going to be out-talented this year, I think Raceland has too much pride and tradition to lay down.

Another thing that stood out to me as I went over the results is that Raceland really has proven themselves to be among the top programs in Northeastern Kentucky over the last 20 years. I have sometimes been guilty of questioning the quality of competition they've played, but I now realize they have winning or even records against most all of the area teams and their schedule really hasn't been that different from Ashland or Russell. I mean, for 5 years in a row, Ashland followed up their yearly loss to Ironton with a beatdown of hapless Magoffin County. That seemed like good scheduling. :-)

 

It is clear, though, that Ashland, Russell, and Raceland are the top 3 teams from the Northeastern Kentucky area by a landslide. With the exception of one or two down years, they've stayed consistently good over time, which is difficult to do. I, of course, would be remiss if I didn't mention Russell's 176-63 (74% of games won) record over the same time period. :-)

 

All this being said, I still stick with my 42-41 prediction with Ashland coming out a winner. Even though they're probably going to be out-talented this year, I think Raceland has too much pride and tradition to lay down.

 

Ryan, thanks for the comments. I have to say that is the main reason that most Raceland fans respect Russell and Ashland, we see Raceland as being in the same category as them. We see the three schools as somewhat of equals. In different classes, but have a lot in common. That is one reason why adding Russell to Raceland schedule was so important, it put the three schools playing each other each year, as they should be.

 

Now, I like you, you are a good member that seems to be level headed, but some previous members from up on the hill refused to give Raceland that respect. It seemed as if they had never heard of Raceland, or seen season and game results from the Raceland games. All I have wanted was for people to understand that Raceland is a good program. That was the main reason I ever joined BGP. I knew it wouldn't come over night. We used to get our hind quarters spanked by Ashland ever year, like you said about the game after Ironton on Ashland's schedule, we were just the warm up game to start the season for Ashland. Now, I think the Ashland coaches, players, and fans have a respect for Raceland. Raceland has proven that they are a quality program that can compete with Ashland.

 

That is why I was so happy about the Russell/Raceland game last year, I wanted Russell to see the same thing. Raceland deserves to be in the conversation with Ashland and Russell when people talk about North-Eastern Kentucky football.

 

Didn't mean to get on my soap box, but I wanted to thank you for your comments and let you (since you are a closet Raceland fan now) know where we are coming from.

And, no, Raceland will not lay down. The game can end in two different ways, but either way Ashland will know they were in a game.

Ryan, thanks for the comments. I have to say that is the main reason that most Raceland fans respect Russell and Ashland, we see Raceland as being in the same category as them. We see the three schools as somewhat of equals. In different classes, but have a lot in common. That is one reason why adding Russell to Raceland schedule was so important, it put the three schools playing each other each year, as they should be.

 

Now, I like you, you are a good member that seems to be level headed, but some previous members from up on the hill refused to give Raceland that respect. It seemed as if they had never heard of Raceland, or seen season and game results from the Raceland games. All I have wanted was for people to understand that Raceland is a good program. That was the main reason I ever joined BGP. I knew it wouldn't come over night. We used to get our hind quarters spanked by Ashland ever year, like you said about the game after Ironton on Ashland's schedule, we were just the warm up game to start the season for Ashland. Now, I think the Ashland coaches, players, and fans have a respect for Raceland. Raceland has proven that they are a quality program that can compete with Ashland.

 

That is why I was so happy about the Russell/Raceland game last year, I wanted Russell to see the same thing. Raceland deserves to be in the conversation with Ashland and Russell when people talk about North-Eastern Kentucky football.

 

Didn't mean to get on my soap box, but I wanted to thank you for your comments and let you (since you are a closet Raceland fan now) know where we are coming from.

 

You know what I think Raceland needs to get that respect from everyone? They need to at least make it to the title game. This would be the only reason I can think of why many other area fans still wouldn't pay that much attention to the Raceland program. Ashland had their special season in 1990 and hasn't come close since, but we've all heard about the tradition of the Tomcats ever since we were born in this area, so people will always respect them. Russell had their special run in 2005-2006 and has a hall of fame coach that also won it all in 1978. That sort of earns respect that lasts for awhile. Raceland had an incredible chance last year, but it didn't work out. They've been consistently good for a long time now, but I think they need that one time when they rise up and beat LCA or some team they aren't expected to beat in the playoffs. Right now, they're sort of like the Phil Mickelson of area high school football before he broke through and won his majors. No disrespect intended, but I think that's how they are viewed in the eyes of most area fans. Raceland has the coaching staff and the fan support. They just need the breaks to fall their way come November.

I've said that myself before RP. It always seems it's Just out of reach. But Raceland used to have that special year then just be down until the next one came around. But now Raceland seems to be strong year after year. Hopefully it keeps up, if so that state title will come.

It will happen, I don't know when, probably in a year that we don't expect it happen. Because Lord knows, there have been some seasons that we all thought, "This is the year".

 

I agree Ryan, a Championship season is what is needed. But, I've been proud of each and every season. We just need that one game to make it.

... "This is the year" ...

 

 

 

This IS the year. (I know I took some liberties with your post)

 

 

The history is interesting. But, it’s just that – history. This is the year that counts now.

 

 

Raceland won our last 3 games by scores of 16-19, 20-23 and 16-21. That is a combined 11-point margin of victory.

 

I’m thinking Ashland will win by 12 points THIS YEAR.

 

Speed kills.

 

________

 

Ryan, your Devils will get their chance in a few weeks.