Travis Jones started this game for Russell by taking the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Fleming County started the game fumbling and making mistakes. Russell went on to pretty much dominate the first half, leading 24-0 at the half largely behind the tremendous running of Travis Jones.

 

Fleming County came out on fire in the second half, though, and looked like they were going to return the favor by getting some great runs from Devon Duncan. They cut the lead to 24-13 before Russell woke up and pulled away again, stretching the lead back to 38-13.

 

However, Fleming County threw two TD passes with an onside kick sandwiched in between them to cut the lead to 38-25. Finally, Russell got the ball back and Travis Jones came off the bench, put his pads back on, and ran another one in from a long way out to close out the scoring.

That is twice this year that the opposing team has returned opening kickoff for a touchdown. You would think that the veteran coaching staff Fleming has would have the boys better prepared than that. Totally unexcuseable. Time to clean house in the Burg! We need a change.

Some more detailed observations about this game:

 

Fleming County has several good athletes. Devon Duncan, Preston Dugan, and Josh Gray really stood out as very good players. I was impressed with the overall sportsmanship of the Fleming County team as well. They just simply made too many mistakes, namely fumbles and poor defense. It will, however, be a very good game between Fleming and West Carter.

 

Russell started their 4th QB of the year in this one, junior Patrick Cooper. He is clearly the best runner of the 4 QB's they've tried, but he did fumble twice. The passing game is still non-existant. At this point, I don't know if the problem is the QB's, the line, or the receivers, but it is so difficult for Russell to sustain drives without being able to complete a few passes. They are nearly totally reliant on Travis Jones breaking off huge runs. Thankfully, he's been doing so for the most part, but he didn't against Ironton and Ashland. The result? 2 losses. Will Rice is a good change of pace and Cooper ran the QB keeper well other than the fumbles, but Russell has got to come up with a way to complete some passes on a consistent basis if they want to be playing long in November this year.

 

If they choose to leave Cooper in at QB, I would just want to make sure it is not to the detriment of his defensive play. He has been a standout in the secondary this year and it's hard to judge if using another QB and keeping him fresh for D might not be a better idea. It depends how much benefit he brings to the offense. We will see how it develops over the next few weeks.

 

I thought the much maligned Russell line did a pretty good job tonight. Trenton Fyffe looked pretty good at tackle and Lee Marr did a good job at center. To me, the blocking looked better tonight against a pretty big Fleming County team. Travis Jones makes it look even better than it is at times, though, because he has been finding the open area better than anyone I've seen in awhile.

 

The Russell defense is good. Again, I love the combination of Dehoff and Davidson at the safeties. Of course, Will Rice and Kamron Smith are the heart of the D. They played great tonight. The only flaw was the 2 unexplainable TD passes given up back to back late in the 4th quarter. I'm still waiting for Dehoff and/or Davidson to lay some receivers out. They have the size and athleticism to do so. However, they are just sophomores, so perhaps they will grow into being a little meaner players as time goes on.

 

Other than that, I had no complaints other than it appeared the Russell team was ready to go on to the Homecoming dance after halftime. They woke up, though, and posted the all important victory. They have some decent potential. The coaches have a tough job this year in deciding how to use which players where. I have faith in them, though, to get it right before the playoffs.

There was a fumble of the QB/Center exchange so that would be 3 fumbles. And there was also an interception. So, Cooper had the turnovers, but frankly, I think he's been far and away the best threat to run under center. For his first game action at that position, I think he did fine. Lots of little things to fix. He fumbled once at the end of a 50 yard scamper, so the stat may be somewhat deceiving. He'll be fine.

There was a fumble of the QB/Center exchange so that would be 3 fumbles. And there was also an interception. So, Cooper had the turnovers, but frankly, I think he's been far and away the best threat to run under center. For his first game action at that position, I think he did fine. Lots of little things to fix. He fumbled once at the end of a 50 yard scamper, so the stat may be somewhat deceiving. He'll be fine.

 

Good point. I forgot about the other 2 turnovers.

 

I completely agree that his running ability looks terrific. I realize the little things need to get fixed like the false starts and turnovers, but I am most concerned about the lack of a passing game at this point. It is so important that we have at least a little threat there or the better teams will do what Ashland and Ironton did to us, stack the line of scrimmage and swarm the backfield almost before the plays can even begin to develop.

On the post-game radio show, Coach Peterson said the first half was the worst half of football he had been associated with in his coaching career.

Good point. I forgot about the other 2 turnovers.

 

I completely agree that his running ability looks terrific. I realize the little things need to get fixed like the false starts and turnovers, but I am most concerned about the lack of a passing game at this point. It is so important that we have at least a little threat there or the better teams will do what Ashland and Ironton did to us, stack the line of scrimmage and swarm the backfield almost before the plays can even begin to develop.

 

I don't think Coach McGlone cares. He changed to Cooper at QB because of his running ability as opposed to his passing skills.

On the post-game radio show, Coach Peterson said the first half was the worst half of football he had been associated with in his coaching career.

 

It did look like a bad half of football from a team I had heard and expected to be much better.

Congrats to Russell, I think they are playing there best ball at the right time of the season.

Congrats to Russell on the W. I always like to see the Red Devils do well.

Congrats to Russell on the win.