Hasn't been willing? I think it was more of a scheduling issue than willingness.

 

 

For 17-years? That's a lot of scheduling issues. But, have it your way if it makes you happier.

 

_________

 

 

It is just Year 1 of a four-year contract. Tomcats have been real successful the past 17 years with the Tigers.

 

 

It's more like 20-years for the Tomcats - and no, they have not had success against Ironton. Neither will Russell. If it’s a 4-year deal; it will be 4 losses for Russell (If Lutz stays at Ironton).

 

I do think playing strong teams make you stronger. I think the strong teams show the weaker teams what it takes to be good. Many years I have watched the Tomcats step-up their game after playing Ironton. They learn from the experience – they were taken to school.

 

So, I am glad to see Russell play Ironton. I think it will make the devils better for the play-offs. But, maybe it just that misery loves company.

 

Come on in, the water’s fine.

Russell hasn't been willing to play Ironton for many, many years. I think we're going to see why.

 

Ironton by as many as they want.

 

I am happy to see Russell step-up and play a good team.

 

Come on now. I think your anti-Russell bias is showing through on this one! Russell hasn't stepped up to play a good team? Since 2000, Russell has played Simon Kenton, Mason County, Raceland, Belfry, Breathitt County, Corbin, Mercer County, Newport, Owensboro Catholic, Lloyd Memorial, Portsmouth West (OH), Wheelersburg (OH), Lexington Catholic, and your beloved Ashland Tomcats. All pretty good teams. Usually, they hold their own against such teams as well. I didn't take the time to calculate the stats, but I can promise you it's rare you'll see them get beat "by as many as the other team wants".

 

Like I've said, I like the way this year's Russell team plays. There isn't a lot of "me" attitudes evident on the field or on the sidelines. It is yet to be seen as to how they are going to stand up to being behind in a game or even being scored on. We will likely find that out this week. Ironton will be the biggest challenge of the season, but I look for them to make a game of it against the bigger, stronger Tigers. It would surprise me if they lay down and quit.

Sometimes it is hard for others to take that the Devils have been the dominant program of this decade on this side of the Ohio River. Back-to-back title games speaks volumes.

Hope the score isn't as lopsided in favor of the Tigers as the Russell/Greenup score. But it may be.

I just hope nobody gets hurt.:thumb:

 

Just judging from whooping put on Wheelersburg 24-8 by Ironton, I believe it will be a long night for Red Devils.

The Burg is always good even in the bad years, well kind of like Russell.:notworthy:

Edited September 1, 200917 yr by threetimelover

Ironton in a big way

... I didn't take the time to calculate the stats,

 

Sometimes it is hard for others to take that the Devils have been the dominant program of this decade on this side of the Ohio River. Back-to-back title games speaks volumes.

 

 

Dominating for a decade? :lol: The devils must be a legend in their own minds.

 

Save your stats and history lessons Ryan. I'm mostly interested to see what your devils can do this year.

 

 

Better lace up your cleats real tight for Friday’s game at Ironton. :popcorn:

Dominating for a decade? :lol: The devils must be a legend in their own minds.

 

Save your stats and history lessons Ryan. I'm mostly interested to see what your devils can do this year.

Better lace up your cleats real tight for Friday’s game at Ironton. :popcorn:

 

Regarding history (and only since you commented on it), if Russell isn't the "team of the decade" in our area for the 2000's, then who is?

 

Regarding this year (since you seem particularly interested in seeing not only what Russell can do, but in seeing them fail miserably), I know and I am sure the Russell team knows they have their hands full come Friday night. I am sure the coaching staff will have them ready to play, though.

 

In general, may I ask why you dislike Russell so much? I can't imagine it would be because of the coach, because he is one of the nicest guys around. Is it the players? The fans? Just curious.

Pat answer on it's way.:thumb:

Ryan research some stats for Graybeard. I beleive Russell has a winning record over Blazer in the past eleven years. I would also like to know if not Russell who is the team of the decade?

I agree that Russell is the team of this decade. But, this thread is about Friday night and stats and past championships are out the window. I cannot predict a score but I imagine that Ironton will have their way. That is not a slam to Russell, Ironton is just that good. I think they are the dominant team in the area, better than Ashland. I am friends with staff at Ironton and I have seen them and Ashland. I think Ashland is the best KY school in the area but they won't beat Ironton, either. JMO.

Russell will show up and play hard. It is all about timing in some years past this game would have been a war. Like Ryan said, it seems some on here are hoping Ironton can name the score. You would think people would pull for a team from this side of the river.

Russell will show up and play hard. It is all about timing in some years past this game would have been a war. Like Ryan said, it seems some on here are hoping Ironton can name the score. You would think people would pull for a team from this side of the river.

 

CP, it isn't anything to do with who I am cheering for. I hope Russell does make it a game. This is a prediction thread and until proven wrong, Ironton appears to be the dominant team. You are right, Russell may have handed the Tigers their lunch a few years back but we will never know. I honestly hope that when we are posting on the finals thread, that I can eat some of spindoc's crow. I just don't know if Russell has enough this week.

I am friends with staff at Ironton and I have seen them and Ashland. I think Ashland is the best KY school in the area but they won't beat Ironton, either. JMO.

 

I'll be right there to see it though :popcorn:

... In general, may I ask why you dislike Russell so much? Just curious.

 

 

I have no respect for the arrogance shown by some of Russell’s fans (several that used to post on BGP anyway). Russell had a couple of good years this decade and some of their fans let it go to their heads (posting trash on BGP). They seemed to think it would last forever.

 

The run is over. But, the big-mouths never came back on BGP to eat their crow. As a Russell alumnus I think I have the right to expect better. Russell folk used to show class and manners and I resent its loss.

 

I expected Russell to act like champions when they got their chance.

Ryan research some stats for Graybeard. I beleive Russell has a winning record over Blazer in the past eleven years. I would also like to know if not Russell who is the team of the decade?

 

I won't list a bunch of stats again, but I will simply say that Russell is 4 wins away from their 100th win of this decade (2000-2009). There aren't any other teams in our area even close, so it's not really worth listing. If you need a point of reference, check out the other teams in the state that will have 100 or more wins in this decade: Beechwood, Belfry, Bowling Green, Boyle County, Danville, Highlands, Male, Mayfield, Newport Central Catholic, St. X, and Trinity. Add to that one state championship, one finals appearance, and 2 more times coming within a game of the championship game.

 

If you want to go back further, then check out the 1990's as well. Russell won more games than any other area school in that decade, too. Admittedly, the rivalry against Ashland is a good one. Russell leads that series 6-5 over the last 11 years.

 

Given these results, though, I'm starting to understand why most other area football fans seem to dislike Russell so much. I don't know about what a few fans might have said on this board in the past, but I do know that I have a tremendous amount of respect for the main reason Russell has had this success and that is their head coach, Ivan McGlone. There is clearly something to be said for the consistency he has brought to the Russell football program.