What are your thoughs on this one?

Not much interest in this thread and this is usually a big rivalry game. The teams are about evenly split (as to wins) since the McGlone era. You can usually through records and favorites out the window - as often the team that is expected to win does not. This year's match-up will be played at Ashland, but I’m not sure home field advantage makes a difference either.

 

Russell played tough last week at home against Ironton. I'm sure they will bring their best game to Putnam Stadium. I think this game will be close.

Ashland is just to much for Russell this year and gets the win. May both teams stay injury free!

Where is this year's game?

I have no prediction on who wins, but I think Russell will bring their A-Game this week. It might not be enough, but I do expect Russell to hang in there tough.

Sorry Graybeard, I missed your posting that the game was at Putnam. I feel like this game will probably be a 44-7 type score like our visit to your place. JMO. Although, Russell played well against a good Ironton team but that was at Russell. Historically, a Russell team will always play you tougher at home. Good luck to both teams and stay injury free.

I'll say Russell shows well but ultimately falls.

 

Tomcats 34

Red Devils 16

Ashland by 2 TD's.

Ashland 36

Russell 20

Ashland's defense will show up this week. The result, Tomcats win by 3 TD's

If Russell can sustain drives like they have and can punch in a couple of TDs, I think that can keep the ball out of Ashland's/Hunter's hands. That may limit the total score some, but I'd be incredibly surprised if the Devils learned this week how to defend the pass. I suspect a 2 touchdown cushion for the Tomcats unless they put it on the ground a couple of times. Hope I'm wrong and Russell pulls it out, but that would have to be considered a monumental upset if that came to fruition.

I hope it's a great game and I'm wrong about this rival game. But I feel Ashlands speed, size and strength up front and the Tomcat QB will be way to much for the devil's to over come.

Tomcats by 4td's.

I hope Russell can hang with Ashland for awhile in this game, but Russell's pass defense hasn't looked very good so far this season in the limited amount it's been tested. Unless Russell has a better plan and/or execution for rushing the QB and defending receivers, then I would expect them to have to simply hope Ashland turns the ball over. Like I said, I hope Russell shows something different, but that's just based on what I've seen so far.

 

I must say Russell's Wing-T rushing game has worked pretty well this year against some pretty strong defensive fronts. However, Ashland has proven they know what's coming from the Russell offense before the plays even unfold in a near Belichick-ian fashion the past 2 years. They typically have multiple defenders headed to the spot where the back is going to receive the ball as soon as it's snapped. I am interested to see if Russell comes up with anything different on offense for this year's game.

 

This game frustrates me because the programs have gone in vastly different directions since 2007. In 2007, Ashland was 2-8 and Russell beat them for the 3rd time in 4 years. Ashland has dominated Russell in the last 2 meetings, though. I'll hold on to my thread of hope for the momumental upset.