I was very disappointed with this game. I didn't expect a win, but I thought we could have played a closer game. The Rams have a lot of glaring problems to fix, but they are a young team and problems are to be expected. How many more beatings do you take from Ashland before you say it isn't worth it to play them anymore? I speak from experience, a beating from Ashland plays with you confidence. I still have confidence in this team, I would like to see more passing and maybe that develops as we move along in the season. These first games are all prep work in my opinion. I hope we put it all together in time for district play, cause I honestly don't think I can stomach consecutive losses to Fairview!! :ylsuper:

I was very disappointed with this game. I didn't expect a win, but I thought we could have played a closer game. The Rams have a lot of glaring problems to fix, but they are a young team and problems are to be expected. How many more beatings do you take from Ashland before you say it isn't worth it to play them anymore? I speak from experience, a beating from Ashland plays with you confidence. I still have confidence in this team, I would like to see more passing and maybe that develops as we move along in the season. These first games are all prep work in my opinion. I hope we put it all together in time for district play, cause I honestly don't think I can stomach consecutive losses to Fairview!! :ylsuper:

 

RAMCAT, the reason that Raceland schedules Ashland is to make them better. A team accomplishes nothing playing teams that you can run off the field with your jv team.

I agree that this seasons schedule may be a little strong for such a young team :thumb: but you can't pick your opponets year by year according to what you have bc of contracts. Some teams schedule so weak that they really don't know how good they really are untill they run up against a good team in a playoff game. As for Fairview, I want them bad as well but unlike some places Raceland doesn't "live" for one game a season .

 

Besides, it wasn't that long ago that the Rams went into Putnam and beat the Tomcats in their home opener, three consecutive years.

Edited August 27, 201115 yr by oldrambler

Oldrambler, I'm not talking about scheduling a cream puff, just someone new. If we go into Ashland next year and take another beating like this the kids the following year will start to wonder what the point is. I just don't see what you stand to gain from getting beat by 40+ points year in and year out. I agree that you learn nothing about your team from scheduling pushovers, so what is Ashland learning about their team from year to year when they know that Raceland realistically can't compete. These are just my observations and thoughts. I'm not trying to ruffle feathers or fur and point fingers, and I'm not saying we need to play a schedule like certain other teams in the area, I just think we could stand to benefit from a couple years off from playing Ashland and replacing them with another competitive team.

Oldrambler, I just think we could stand to benefit from a couple years off from playing Ashland and replacing them with another competitive team.

Well, let me say this in regards to both your and Old Rambler's post concerning scheduling:

 

Raceland does benefit in scheduling Ashland in certain time periods. Right now isn't one of them because obviously Ashland's talent pool is strong and will be for the next 3-4 years minimum. Having said that, it's not easy to replace them with a competitive team closer to our size range. We have tried to find other teams to put on the schedule that would provide good playoff-caliber competition, but have had no takers that would fit into our schedule. We've also had teams to drop us from their schedule because of our success against them. If they say otherwise they aren't telling the truth. Not to mention finding someone who isn't 400 miles away, and would bring a good crowd every other year to help with the gate (money). Pikeville is an example of a team that we were able to finally get on the schedule, but few of those type of teams exist in our proximity (or at least within a two-hour drive).

The other factor is that usually these contracts run in two-year cycles, and you have to have a particular open date the same as the team you are wanting/agreeing to play. We tried to get LCA back on the schedule despite their move to 2A but neither team had a workable date to fit both schedules. Keeping Ashland for the next two years was really by default because it was our only option. I mean, we had to add several different teams this year because of scheduling difficulty (Lawrence Co., Pikeville, Portsmouth East, etc...and as I said earlier some teams just won't play us anymore because they feel they have nothing to gain from it. Also, we aren't going to schedule some cupcake school who is: 1. far away 2. has little or no tradition in regards to being a competitive game for us and 3. won't bring a decent crowd for a decent gate.

 

My main point in all of this is it is alot tougher than you think to get the types of teams you want on your schedule, because several things always factor into the equation.

Well, let me say this in regards to both your and Old Rambler's post concerning scheduling:

 

Raceland does benefit in scheduling Ashland in certain time periods. Right now isn't one of them because obviously Ashland's talent pool is strong and will be for the next 3-4 years minimum. Having said that, it's not easy to replace them with a competitive team closer to our size range. We have tried to find other teams to put on the schedule that would provide good playoff-caliber competition, but have had no takers that would fit into our schedule. We've also had teams to drop us from their schedule because of our success against them. If they say otherwise they aren't telling the truth. Not to mention finding someone who isn't 400 miles away, and would bring a good crowd every other year to help with the gate (money). Pikeville is an example of a team that we were able to finally get on the schedule, but few of those type of teams exist in our proximity (or at least within a two-hour drive).

The other factor is that usually these contracts run in two-year cycles, and you have to have a particular open date the same as the team you are wanting/agreeing to play. We tried to get LCA back on the schedule despite their move to 2A but neither team had a workable date to fit both schedules. Keeping Ashland for the next two years was really by default because it was our only option. I mean, we had to add several different teams this year because of scheduling difficulty (Lawrence Co., Pikeville, Portsmouth East, etc...and as I said earlier some teams just won't play us anymore because they feel they have nothing to gain from it. Also, we aren't going to schedule some cupcake school who is: 1. far away 2. has little or no tradition in regards to being a competitive game for us and 3. won't bring a decent crowd for a decent gate.

 

My main point in all of this is it is alot tougher than you think to get the types of teams you want on your schedule, because several things always factor into the equation.

 

I don't disagree with anything you are saying, I was just getting my thoughts out there, that's all. I want the same thing as the rest of you guys, teams that are going to continue to excel and strengthen out tradition.

 

Obviously I can't compete with HHH, ha ha.

Great display by Ashland, they are going to win a lot this season, and have a good shot at the District Title. Good luck to them. Raceland will regroup and get ready for the next opponent. Raceland will win a lot more as well, and will have a good shot at their District Title.

My main point in all of this is it is alot tougher than you think to get the types of teams you want on your schedule, because several things always factor into the equation.

TCA.....I 100% agree with you and fully realize the scheduling that you menytioned. I know alot goes into it that some people may not know. That is what I was saying in my post, at least thats what I was trying to say, just may not have stated it very clear.

I enjoy the series with Ashland and understand why we go there every season. I also wouldn't be against ending the Ashland series if we could get decent team to play on a home/home bssis. Believe me I know ho difficult it can be. Some bigger schools don't want us bc they have seen how we have beaten the bigger schools on our schedule. I wouod love to be able to get a good class A team on the schedule that is not a long way to travel. One game I woudn't mind getting is to sometime work out a home/home deal with a Williamsburg or Lynn Camp/team in that area.. Play it on a Saturday bc of the travel but that would be another long trip. A decent/competitive A or AA team within a reasonable distance would be nice.

At any rate, our coaches/AD do a very good job and I have no major complaints. I just like discussing this kind of thing or anything Raceland football. All is good,lol.

Edited August 28, 201115 yr by Birdsfan

Great display by Ashland, they are going to win a lot this season, and have a good shot at the District Title. Good luck to them. Raceland will regroup and get ready for the next opponent. Raceland will win a lot more as well, and will have a good shot at their District Title.

 

:thumb: I also wanted to say that I talked vwith a long time friend of mine today about the game. This man played at Ashland during the Herb Conley years, coached under Conley with Vic Marsh and has connections with Raceland/Worthington school system as well.

He was at the game and said basically what our comments were on the game in that Ashland just had far better speed,athletisism. He had a good impression on Racelands young kids, mentioned Elkins (qb) and how he did a good job running the team, threw the ball well another one of our young "lambs" he mentioned was Messer and what talent he showed as a freshman. He said that Raceland should be a better team once in our district schedule. Was also impressed with the way Raceland kids played so hard. That was one thing that he said the Tomcats were lacking and thought that Ashland wasn't as diciplined of a team that they needed to me, some kids just "took plays off" at times and didn't execute. Ashland was the better football team and just tookus to the woodshed with their speed and talent. Ashland imo will go n to have an excellent season. As I said earlier, I hope you go on and win em' all Tomcats. :thumb:

This Raceland team will also be fine, The Rams may lose another couple along the way but the sky is not falling, if anyone wants to give up on this years Rams the go ahead and give up and get out, your not needed.

:thumb: I also wanted to say that I talked vwith a long time friend of mine today about the game. This man played at Ashland during the Herb Conley years, coached under Conley with Vic Marsh and has connections with Raceland/Worthington school system as well.

He was at the game and said basically what our comments were on the game in that Ashland just had far better speed,athletisism. He had a good impression on Racelands young kids, mentioned Elkins (qb) and how he did a good job running the team, threw the ball well another one of our young "lambs" he mentioned was Messer and what talent he showed as a freshman. He said that Raceland should be a better team once in our district schedule. Was also impressed with the way Raceland kids played so hard. That was one thing that he said the Tomcats were lacking and thought that Ashland wasn't as diciplined of a team that they needed to me, some kids just "took plays off" at times and didn't execute. Ashland was the better football team and just tookus to the woodshed with their speed and talent. Ashland imo will go n to have an excellent season. As I said earlier, I hope you go on and win em' all Tomcats. :thumb:

This Raceland team will also be fine, The Rams may lose another couple along the way but the sky is not falling, if anyone wants to give up on this years Rams the go ahead and give up and get out, your not needed.

 

Amen!!

If you can't stomach it. Just mail your $5.00 to the school!!

I just have to say. Mostly because I can never keep my mouth shut. And you'll never not know what I'm thinking.

If any school around here scheduled the strength of schedule like us. We wouldn't have many teams around here with five or six wins this year. Ashland, Boyd, Greenup, Russell, Lawrence all would have to go to the Lexington, Louisville and Huntington area to schedule. Fairview would have to add Ashland, Russell, Lawrence Co. Heck we could win nine or ten games a year if we scheduled down like a few. It's a PRIDE thing!! plus teams don't like to play the lil rams most years. Hurts their pride!

I don't disagree with anything you are saying, I was just getting my thoughts out there, that's all. I want the same thing as the rest of you guys, teams that are going to continue to excel and strengthen out tradition.

 

Obviously I can't compete with HHH, ha ha.

LOL...no harm done. I was just trying to show all sides of it because some people don't understand how hard it is to make your football schedule the way you want it. Sometimes it's hard to get the balance you want.

TCA.....I 100% agree with you and fully realize the scheduling that you mentioned. I know alot goes into it that some peo ple may not know. That is what I was saying in my post, at least thats what I was trying to say, just may not have stated it very clear.

All is good,lol.

Oldrambler, i know you understand....I was just trying to paint a clear picture for those who don't know everything that goes into scheduling, and how difficult it is to actually get the schedule the way you want it. Sometimes you have to take the necessary evils of the scheduling game....LOL.

TCA..... One game I woudn't mind getting is to sometime work out a home/home deal with a Williamsburg or Lynn Camp/team in that area.. Play it on a Saturday bc of the travel but that would be another long trip. A decent/competitive A or AA team within a reasonable distance would be nice.

Actually, I wouldn't mind having a Northern KY Class A team added to our schedule, maybe like a Bellevue or Dayton. The teams you mentioned above would be okay if it wasn't such a long trip. Reminds me of going to Campbellsville...LOL. Those trips take me the whole weekend to recover. :ohbrother:

Actually, I wouldn't mind having a Northern KY Class A team added to our schedule, maybe like a Bellevue or Dayton.

 

We tried that this year, they have a "travel restriction" on how far they can go to play a game.

Koudos to Ashland. We were dismantled with superior speed, talent, line play and strength. Our young team has never seen anything like it. Most have to remember that 1/3 of the guys on the field for us were playing middle school football last year. To make the transition from last year to what they were in Friday night resembles the Colosseum in Rome, only the Tomcats were lions and our guys were the Christians.

Oldrambler, i know you understand....I was just trying to paint a clear picture for those who don't know everything that goes into scheduling, and how difficult it is to actually get the schedule the way you want it. Sometimes you have to take the necessary evils of the scheduling game....LOL.

:thumb:

 

Actually, I wouldn't mind having a Northern KY Class A team added to our schedule, maybe like a Bellevue or Dayton. The teams you mentioned above would be okay if it wasn't such a long trip. Reminds me of going to Campbellsville...LOL. Those trips take me the whole weekend to recover. :ohbrother:

There you go again with tying to say that you are old. TCA, I think that you would recover.:cry:

Just kidding, I know that would be a long trip.:thumb:

 

To make the transition from last year to what they were in Friday night resembles the Colosseum in Rome, only the Tomcats were lions and our guys were the Christians.

Now there you go again, calling the Ashland Tomcats "Lions" just gave them bulliten board material for next year, people in Ashland don't like any BCHS Lions reference. Then on top of that your reference to us as Christians (which btw I am proud to be a Christian)......you know that there will be some political correct/ACLU idiot that will blow that up to a major incident.

In the words of Frank Barone, a hero of mine "Holy Crap, what have you done"! :idunno: