I went to the Marshall - WVU game last night and watched most of the Ashland - Russell game on tv. THANKS to Time Warner for covering high school games. It's a real treat for the kids. The Cats looked awsome. Leon and company have built a real program. Great job!

 

Did Dirk make it through the whole game last night? :lol:

I can't post what I am really thinking because I realize these are just high school kids who are surely trying to do their best. What I will say, though, is it is truly amazing how this series was consistently competitive just 3 years ago. Now it's not. Rather, it's quickly turned into an embarassment. Talk about two programs headed in vastly different directions. This was the worst loss Russell has suffered since at least before 1998 (the KHSAA site doesn't go back before then). It may be the worst loss of the Ivan McGlone era. What a shame.

 

Ashland did not bring out the JV for the entire 2nd half. In fact, the starting offense played the 1st series of the 2nd half with what was already a 40 point lead. They also inexplicably went for 2 on the final TD of the game??? I'm not sure what exactly they were trying to prove there. Whatever the case, though, I realize it's Russell's responsibility to stop them and they didn't do it.

 

Ashland is good. They'll have some tough games against Ironton and Johnson Central, but I think they have a real shot to go undefeated until they meet Highlands. I'd be surprised if any of the other Northern Kentucky teams beat them like Dixie Heights did last year. On the other hand, Russell needs considerable improvement.

 

I understand how you feel. Only thing I can say is, better days ahead. I thought Ashland could have beat us a lot worse. I thought they had the reserves in early enough against us. I had know problems with what they did to us. All I can say about going for two is. I don't think they have tried to kick a extra point this year. I questioned it myself. I thought the Tomcats could have beat us by 60 or 70. I do have a problem with how our game turned out last night. But thats another thread. Russell will be back!:popcorn:

Absolutely embarrasing. Plain and simple.

I can't post what I am really thinking because I realize these are just high school kids who are surely trying to do their best. What I will say, though, is it is truly amazing how this series was consistently competitive just 3 years ago. Now it's not. Rather, it's quickly turned into an embarassment. Talk about two programs headed in vastly different directions. This was the worst loss Russell has suffered since at least before 1998 (the KHSAA site doesn't go back before then). It may be the worst loss of the Ivan McGlone era. What a shame.

 

Ashland did not bring out the JV for the entire 2nd half. In fact, the starting offense played the 1st series of the 2nd half with what was already a 40 point lead. They also inexplicably went for 2 on the final TD of the game??? I'm not sure what exactly they were trying to prove there. Whatever the case, though, I realize it's Russell's responsibility to stop them and they didn't do it.

 

Ashland is good. They'll have some tough games against Ironton and Johnson Central, but I think they have a real shot to go undefeated until they meet Highlands. I'd be surprised if any of the other Northern Kentucky teams beat them like Dixie Heights did last year. On the other hand, Russell needs considerable improvement.

 

Ashland went for two at that point, because they couldnt go for three.

Ashland looks good again! best wishes to them

Total shock at the lopsided score, but Ashland is very good. Coach McGlone will get the Devils ironed out by playoff time. Like Watusi & others have said earlier, Coach McGlone & his staff haven't suddenly forgot how to coach.

 

Also, sometimes you have to go through a few lean years talent-wise & depth-wise, & this may be the case with Russell. Ashland experienced it a few years back, & we've been dealing with it at Raceland as well.

Other than the coaches and players, I don’t believe ANYONE saw this coming…and it may have even surprised some of that group. Coach Hart has mentioned several times that if Ashland can get some aspects of their game tweaked just a tad, they could be very good. Last night, we saw some of that come together.

 

Moving on though…district play is just around the corner for both of these squads and that’s when the W’s and L’s have significantly greater meaning. Russell will get back on a winning track next week and still will challenge for their District and Ashland needs to focus on getting ready for Ironton.

 

A couple of side notes….spindoc….your observation about “yukking it up on the sideline” really hit home with me. That sort of disrespect for the game, well….I would be suspended if I typed what I really thought of it. However, this is the first season under Hart’s tenure that I have NOT seen that sort of thing coming from the Ashland sidelines. Granted, in years past, that behavior was typically witnessed coming from non-starters but there is nothing like that taking place on our sidelines right now. Everyone in pads seems very focused and I see lots of communication, care and commitment amongst these kids.

 

Last but certainly not least…Kyle Wessell, Ashland’s starting center, suffered a knee injury last night. It was almost this time last year that Kyle sustained a season ending knee injury. Hang in there Kyle and we hope to see you back very soon.

Ashland went for two at that point, because they couldnt go for three.

 

Wow. You're sharp as a tack aren't you? Devastating wit.

Congrats to the Tomcats and their fans on the win :thumb:. This certainly not the first or the last team that Ashland will dominate this season, this Ashland team is for real. Good luck to the Tomcats the rest of the way out. I hope you win them all.

Congratulations to Ashland. Ashland is going to win a lot of games.

 

Russell keep your heads up, there's more games to play.

Ashland's first series of the second half took 2:40. The score started the running clock and Coach Hart substituted every starter at that point. This was early in the 3rd quarter and most of the half is accurate.

 

I should probably have let this pass, but accurate reporting is something I take seriously.

 

I'm sorry I wasn't exactly clear with my statement. I realize Ashland played their JV after the starters took one more drive to start the 2nd half. I was trying to say that the 2nd half wasn't COMPLETELY just the Ashland JV.

 

Actually, that was probably just my misplaced frustration talking anyway, though, because now that I've thought about it more, the issue here shouldn't be how many points Ashland wanted or didn't want to beat Russell by. The issue here is the fact that Ashland can now choose the score against Russell.

 

Truth be told, Ashland's JV would have probably won this game had they just played from the start. That would just mean more of sophomore Malik Massey running the ball. In fact, the score might have been worse! I still don't understand why he only gets a couple touches per game.

Other than the coaches and players, I don’t believe ANYONE saw this coming…and it may have even surprised some of that group. Coach Hart has mentioned several times that if Ashland can get some aspects of their game tweaked just a tad, they could be very good. Last night, we saw some of that come together.

 

Moving on though…district play is just around the corner for both of these squads and that’s when the W’s and L’s have significantly greater meaning...

 

Speaking of Ashland's players and coaches seeing this coming...that made me wonder...do you think Ashland's players and coaches are thinking they can win games against the Northern Kentucky teams in the playoffs this year? Ashland looks pretty good to me, but I honestly can't tell if they've made strides on that front or not.

Speaking of Ashland's players and coaches seeing this coming...that made me wonder...do you think Ashland's players and coaches are thinking they can win games against the Northern Kentucky teams in the playoffs this year? Ashland looks pretty good to me, but I honestly can't tell if they've made strides on that front or not.

 

 

 

Coach Hart has been saying if the offense just fixed a few small things they could be very good and live up to his expectations for them. I think they took it up a level this week. It was the best game they've played so far. I think the team may be starting to believe.

Ashland 61 Russell 7 - final

 

Running clock most of the second half, with JV players.

 

I would venture to say that this is the first time since the running clock rule was instituted that is was used on Russell instead if against a Russell opponent.

Graybeard, do you have an injury report on the Cats? Are they all pretty healthy?