ryanparker

You mean Doc doesn't offer "attitude adjustments" as part of his services? :-) Actually, that would be a funny sign for a chiropractor..."Attitude Adjustments Half Price".

Is Raceland's locker room going to look like a Benny Hinn revival in the pregame Saturday night? If so, I reserve the right to retract my pick of Boyd County.

I think it's a big game. It's on a Saturday night so I bet there will be a lot of people from Greenup, Ashland, and Russell there. Plus, it's the first time Raceland has played Boyd County in a long time. Also, as you said, I am sure Raceland fans will show up in droves. The only thing taking away from the game might be the lack of interest in the Boyd County program.

Whatever happens Friday night, I think this one has got to be the game of the week in our area. You've got to love all of the subplots that have come to light in this thread: Given the scrimmage debacle at Campbell County, is Ashland just not as good as we thought? Given the new coach at Greenup, have the Musketeers really turned their program around in a matter of months? Will the Tomcats forsake the strength of their team, their two outstanding running backs, and go to the spread offense in a Hal Mumme-like air assault? Will Greenup effectively use their new veer offense to control the ball up to a quarter at a time? Do us Raceland and Russell fans really know very little about area high school football by predicting Ashland will win this game by a comfortable margin? And last but not least, of course, will the referees be seen putting on Tomcat jackets as they exit Putnam Stadium? ;-) I guess we'll learn the answers to these questions on Friday. I wish I could see this one in person, but I'll happily listen to Dicky Martin, the voice of the Tomcats and the best radio announcer in the area IMO, while I watch the Russell game.

That's a good question. It's clear enthusiasm and expectations aren't as high for this year's Russell squad as they were in the past few years. Either that or Russell fans are too "frugal" to pay the 10 bucks. :-) Or it could also be that this week's East Carter matchup lacks the luster of the other 2 big games in our area this weekend...GC/Ashland and Raceland/BC.

Is Ashland changing up their offensive philosophy to be pass-oriented this year? If so, why?

One thing I will never accuse you Raceland fans of is being "fair weather". You are about the best fans a program could have. I think it is good that you are honest when the effort isn't up to par.

It's really more me thinking that Ashland is very, very good this year. I think they are probably more than a touchdown better than all of the teams in our area this year including Raceland, Russell, and Boyd. There is no doubt that Greenup has a real opportunity to make a statement about their new program this Friday. If they come close to Ashland, then it's clear Greenup is on their way to turning it around. If they beat Ashland, then it's one of the biggest one year turnarounds I've ever seen.

A determining factor in my prediction for Boyd County to win this game is not only the reports of the bad preseason the Rams have had, but also the injuries to Barr and Rister. I think if those 2 guys were back, then Raceland would probably win this game with bad attitudes or not. With them being out, though, I have to go with Boyd County. That being said, and to show you how much research I've put into my prediction, does anyone know anything at all about Boyd County this year? I haven't heard much about who they are going to be depending on. I just figure they'll be OK because they are a much bigger school and I think they have a good coaching staff.

Yes. I think it is just a different brand of football played among the Northern Kentucky teams. It's sort of like when Ashland runs into Highlands at the end of the year. Those teams just have too many athletes. As for our area, though, I still think Ashland is the top team this year, and by a considerable margin over Greenup.

Although I do think reports of Raceland's demise are probably greatly exaggerated, Boyd County can be tough at home. So the combination of my confidence in Boyd County playing well at home and everything I have read on here about Raceland falling apart at the seams is causing me to pick Boyd County in this one, 22-20. If I get this one wrong and ruin my 2009 perfect prediction record, then I am going to blame it on you Raceland fans taking sandbagging to an all new level this time. :-)

At first glance, I would dismiss this prediction and figure it will be a Russell blowout because Russell hasn't lost to East Carter in...well, maybe ever. However, Russell looked like they need some work in their scrimmage game, so I think East Carter will manage to keep it close. I still think Russell will win, though, 19-14.

I am sure Greenup County is improved given all of the positive things I have read about the new coach and program, but Ashland is the best team in our area playing at home in their season opener. I think Ashland will win this one, 41-14.

East Carter visits Russell Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

I didn't see the game, but read that Campbell County dominated Ashland about as thoroughly as possible. They scored on all but 2 possessions, beating Ashland 41-0. They held Ashland scoreless for over 60 plays. I wonder if what I read is true. Anyone there that can fill in some details? Honestly, I expected Ashland to be better than this. I know they have good players at the skill positions and have heard that the line was looking good. I realize it was just a scrimmage, but what happened? Is Campbell County a state title contender this year or am I just wrong about Ashland?

Russell had their one and only scrimmage of the season this morning against Spring Valley, a West Virginia school. Russell's defense looked OK, giving up only one score to Spring Valley on a long run. There weren't a whole lot of tackles for losses, but they held the Spring Valley running attack in check. Spring Valley didn't pass a lot so the pass defense wasn't really tested. Russell's offense had big problems moving the ball against Spring Valley. They didn't score any. The line is going to have to see some significant improvements. Overall, it wasn't terrible where I walk away saying that Russell is in serious trouble this year. However, it wasn't impressive where I walk away saying Russell is going to dominate this year. I think focusing on defense is the best way for this team to win a lot of games this year.

I agree. If it weren't a scrimmage, I would predict Raceland by a landslide, but since it doesn't matter, who knows?

I hope he heals quickly and can come back soon. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with Ram and his family. I hate to hear about the injuries that have been hitting the Raceland team before the season even starts. Sounds like the team doctor has his hands full!

I went to the Maroon/White game this evening and concluded I can't really tell much about the quality of this year's team from an intrasquad scrimmage like this. Maybe Saturday's scrimmage against Spring Valley will reveal more.

Since we're talking about the academics at local schools as the possible reason for the large number of transfers, it's only fitting that the Kentucky Department of Education published the average ACT scores for high school juniors in 2009 today. I saw an article in the Daily Independent about this so I went to the Kentucky Department of Education website to see how the local schools stacked up. Here are the results: 1) Russell 20.1 (154 students) 2) Ashland 18.5 (225 students) 3) Raceland 18.2 (77 students) 4) Greenup County 17.8 (218 students) 5) Boyd County 17.5 (190 students) 6) Fairview 17.4 (64 students) That being said, I still don't understand why Russell students are transferring to Raceland...but anyhow, back to the topic of the thread, Raceland football. I can't wait until the season gets underway and the game threads start.

I agree with you. Raceland has always been known as a good academic school. I think the recent popularity of the football program can be credited to the coaches and the supporters like the ones who post on here, keeping this season preview thread alive since last season ended! It's clear that many people care about the success of the Raceland football program and that's probably half the battle to building and sustaining a top-notch program. I can understand why students from every other area school would transfer to Raceland. The argument could be made that Raceland's academics are better than every other school in the area, except for Russell. The argument could also be made that Raceland's athletics program is better than every other school in the area, except for Ashland and Russell. I just don't understand why students from Russell would transfer there. For that matter, I don't really understand why Raceland students would transfer to Russell, either. To me, it is a lateral move either way.

From the way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if Morten Anderson's son shows up at your door wanting to transfer and play for the Rams this year. :-)

What grade is he in? I heard about the middle school "mass defection" from Russell to Raceland but didn't hear about anything else.

Alright...I'll be the first to ask...who in the world is the 6'1", 270 lb "Jamal"??? And where do you guys keep getting these players from??? Last year a giant Swede and now this! :-)

An 8 win regular season would mean Raceland wins all of the games they are "supposed" to win. That would mean only losses to Ashland and Lexington Christian. That would be a great accomplishment if Raceland could do that.