Little Ram

Defense will be the tell-all in Lloyd this year. Coach Jones has proven to be one of the best OCs in NEKY, even with Tyson Sammons behind center. They put up more than 35 points per last year. But also gave up just as much. Pike Central will be a good early test for a young team. There are a lot of questions to be answered. The Musketeers expect to win, something that has been absent for quite some time.

Well, let's not forget 2022 when Russell ended the year 2-9. It's understandable to say the Devils are still in the midst of rebounding from a historical year, only three seasons out. Those freshmen turned seniors, now, are the leaders. Last year was a much improved squad than the two years prior. I think many may think this is a weak schedule, but I would argue the out-of-district games of Greenup (lost three straight to them), Ashland, Coal Grove, and Breathitt aren't games to take lightly. Paintsville, sure, weaker than the others. They can't control their district, even if it is the weakest in the area. I'd say this is a pretty good schedule for the program. Coming off a regional title appearance may water it down some, but they did graduate some big pieces.

Tyson Sammons this, Tyson Sammons that. Who is Greenup County without the school's all-time leading rusher, or the 10,000 yard QB, or the best football player in NKY in quite some time? Greenup County is as high as they have ever been, and realistically, they should be! NEKY football is better when Greenup County is good. Young and inexperienced is quite honestly the only way you could describe this year's Musketeer squad...or maybe...Green ?. Nevertheless, the Musketeers graduated four OL and return last years RT. Up front, they combine for 11 varsity starts. Looking at the scrimmage this past Friday, it seems they are starting four sophomores and one junior up front and rotated a couple juniors and a freshman. Jasper Davis moves from slot to Field General and can be quite a show in open field. Additionally, out wide the Musketeers are a little older in seniors Kasey Gammon and Tyler Johnson. Greenup showed in their scrimmage against Fairland they can still have success running the ball, but aren't scared to toss the rock. The offense is an offense with a lot of motion and eye candy with a physical OL. The Musketeers have more speed than the previous few years but can "the guy" emerge? Defensively, they have to be better than last year. The defense gave up too many points, and I am sure Coach Travis Jones would tell you the same thing. I would venture to say Coach Jones and DC Braden Brown have made defense a priority this offseason. In their scrimmage against Fairland, they gave up some early deep passes but did stop the run game very well. One thing is for certain, in their district, they better be able to stop the run. Though Fairland looked young too, Greenup did a good job at limiting the run. Fairland looked relatively prolific in the passing game. They hit a couple deep balls early but Greenup responded when the chains came out and limited the deep balls well. Will Greenup win more than 5 games? They should. There really isn't any reason they shouldn't win 6-8. Of course, the Russell game will be a dandy against two good teams. Greenup has won the Backyard Brawl three years in a row for the first time in series history. Can the young Musketeers keep it home for the fourth straight? If they do, there is a lot of positive momentum going into Spartan Stadium in Portsmouth, a team who graduates a lot. Portsmouth has a lot of good, young skill players coming in, but are they ready? If Greenup beats the Devils, there's a good game looming in Portsmouth. The last game played in Portsmouth ended in an OT thriller falling the Musketeers' way. I don't see why it won't be close again. The district surely doesn't favor the Musketeers. Ashland seems like they have questions to answer themselves, but surely many think Ashland beats GC again. Greenup hasn't beaten Ashland since 2000. Last year's mud bowl in Lloyd looked like it could have favored GC...until it didn't. Ashland had too much speed and skill. GC put 42 points on Johnson Central last year and slung the pigskin all over Paintsville. Jonson Central has another massive OL with some guys coming in from Pikeville. Greenup has much to prove before taking down Ashland and JC, though if the Musketeers are undefeated going into district play, there might be a discussion. Greenup should beat Boyd, though last year's game was quite thrilling, ending in a Tyson Sammons (dare I say) one-handed interception at the goal line. Rumor mill speaks about Boyd reloading at QB, but still, they seem dangerous. GC ends the year at Montgomery who returns much, if not all, their key starters. This will be a very big test before playoffs (because GC will beat Rowan). I don't see why Greenup doesn't win 6 to 7 games. If the Musketeers win 8 games this year, it will be the winningest 4 year stretch in school history. Furthermore, what a year to prove something in Lloyd. Coach Jones and staff are earning their spots in the region talks. Can they stay there?

Russell is an interesting program to watch this year. Graduating everyone up front and returning just about every skill player except the QB is interesting for Coach Maynard. His ground and pound style may be nuanced a little this year, though they have some weapons outside in the Pennington brothers. Defensively, they should be very good, especially early on. They are experienced and fast in the secondary and return key linebackers. Can their DL stop the run? This is an important question moving through the early part of the season, defensively. Offensively, can they get the ball to the Pennington brothers through the air? Russell certainly gave a respectable appearance in the region final against Belfry last year. Can they get there again? There is certainly no reason the Devils lose their district. Ashland will be a tough test for them. Coal Grove will give the Devils an early season test in regard to the questions about their OL/DL. The Hornets will be very good with a 3 star defensive end and a wingback that may be the quickest kid on the field (both Pennington brothers would have something to speak on that). Nevertheless, I think the Hornets pull out a win against the Devils in a close game. The Greenup game is an interesting game. For the first time in the rivalry's history, Greenup has won the Backyard Brawl trophy three years in a row. Of course, many area fans will say this is large in part due to the success of Tyson Sammons. Greenup has something to prove, but Russell is tired of the Kelly Green and Gold. This sets up quite a showdown in Lloyd. If, IF, the Devils lose their first two games, what happens? Coach Maynard and company has always done a very good job of rebounding following losses, most notably in 2018 where the Devils lost three straight to start the year to Greenup, Ironton, and Ashland. The Devils responded with 6 straight wins, a regular season district title, and a regional final appearance at home against eventual state champ Louisville Central. I think the ceiling for the Devils is 10 wins but the floor could be 6 or 7. The Devils continue their success into the playoffs, though, with at least one or two wins.

As a Raceland alum myself, there have been many a year where several in RamLand say "This is the Year" with 2008 being the most likely and most realistic shot. Raceland returns a stud in Stiltner and several key pieces. They looked the part against Belfry just last Friday, but the age old question still looms amongst "The Years": Will coaching allow them to win the big games? In 2008, any knowledgeable Ram fam will tell you the coaches took their foot off the pedal against LCA in the third round. In 2013, the first time the Rams played in the semi-finals, 14-7 ball game at half with a blowout ensuing in the second half. During their first state title appearance, they were outmanned, but coaching during that game certainly let the spectators know the coaches also thought the same...with fast screens galore. However, last year against Sayre was their best shot at bringing the big trophy home. Though it was a great game to watch and spectate, it still seems coaching was the difference in the key moments of the game. What stops the Rams from going undefeated? Themselves. Ashland gleams heavily in that first game, though after that, they may be favored in just about every game by more than 14 points. Matchup week 3 will be the true test to as where Raceland stands in 1A. Pikeville has lost key pieces, specifically up front. Raceland has some big men in the trenches that can compete night in and night out. Weeks 1 and 3 are the tests. The rest are tune-ups before the semi-finals where coaching is key. Can the Rams go 15-0? Yes. Will they? You'll know after Week 3.

I would be really surprised to see Duvall play. I really doubt he will IMO.

Bath runs what Bath runs: line every one up foot-to-foot and try to out flank you. Bath has some BIG dudes. FB is 300+lbs and is hard to bring down. Swartz is the likely winner for the district player of the year. However, Bath’s defense is porous and sometimes confused. I think Russell will do as they please offensively, as long as they don’t shoot themselves in the foot like they did against Lewis. Russell is going to have to step up defensively and play physical. Russell’s defense has played tremendously the last three weeks, although against inferior opponents. I think this game will be very close at halftime, but Russell pulls away late in the third. Russell 35 Bath 14

I think Russell runs away with this one, similar to the Pendelton score. Russell will look to continue on working in their passing game much like they did against Pendelton. Good luck to both teams. Russell 49 Lewis 13

I agree. That incident sucked all the football life out of the game. I don’t know what the third quarter was.

I’m taking Lacks from Raceland any day. The kid is an absolute stud and is hard to bring down. One of the best backs I’ve seen come through Raceland since the Denton/Carver days.

I was speaking of the incident by Clark and meant to say I hope Stump gets to play against Bath County. My apologies.

All three are brothers. Senior Casey Clark ejected in the third. Mental mistake by a key, senior leader on the OL/DL. Stump is a big loss if X-rays/MRIs come back positive for an injury. Prayers for him and hope he gets to play on senior night. Another important district won for the Devils. Congratulations!

I agree. Between now and Bath County, they CANNOT overlook struggling Pendleton and Lewis or they might just come out with a shocking L. Russell is better than both, but can not have any lapses.

Big RAM win! Questionable offensive calls in the last quarter for the Rams but did what they needed to do for the W. Refs seemed a bit confused at times and couldn’t make up their minds. Congratulations to the Rams! Big Win.

Great game for the Devils defense. The D-line let a couple QB scrambles get away but the secondary was on lockdown all night. Congratulations to the Devils on a big district win.

Yes, he was very upset. He knew this injury would lurk all season, but one little mishap can put him out for awhile. He’s very tough and Russell football means a lot to him, you can tell. If Russell comes out with the effort they had against Ashland, it will be ugly. If they come out with the effort they gave agianst Ironton, it could be a great W for the Devils.

Russell JV has played very well this year. Hopefully, Russell can find some leadership in this group for the coming years. There are some great players on this JV team. Congratulations to Russell's JV.

What I have heard is that Russell's OL/DL is full go this week. I know Jon Giles did not play last week but is available this week. I think Russell is much better up front than WC. WC has a lot of athletes, especially the RB, #21. He has a lot of speed and utilizes his vision well. I think Russell's DL is much better than WC's OL. WC's defense plays fast and physical; they run to the ball well. I think WC will try to run outside on the Red Devil defense and try to pick apart the secondary, as the QB is pretty good as well. Last year, Russell was able to do as they wished on offense and I think it will be more of the same in the running game. I know many WC fans have publicly said it is "their year" to get the Devils, but I think they fall short in the second half: Russell 35 West Carter 14 But much closer at half.

7 Perry Central 5 Pikeville 3 North Laurel 2 Leslie County 1 Lawrence County TB Pikeville

Congratulations to the Devils on getting their first, much needed win. Russell could have played much better against Ashland if they decided to show up like they did against Ironton and/or Boyd. BC just looked like they lacked athletes. Had some great players: 54, 3, 9, and even 70 was a dang good player. Good luck to Boyd the rest of the year. As for Russell, lots of work to do before win the district. Congratulations Devils, well-deserved.

This is the game Russell finally gets a W. In a perfect world, Russell should be 2-1, at best, and should be 1-2 coming into this game. Nevertheless, this isn’t the case. I think Russell runs away with this one. I think Russell finally puts up some crooked numbers on the scoreboard and hold Boyd to only a couple scores. Russell 42 Boyd 14

Well, I could not have been any more wrong about this one. Russell looked like they went into Putnam already defeated. I’m not sure where that came from as they looked completely different last night as they did against Ironton. I believe Russell is still trying to find an identity and some leadership. What is really nice for Russell is their next 6 games. They have an opportunity to go on a 6 game winning streak before meeting with the Rams in the Rail Cities Bowl. Congratulations to Ashland. A very good team that can be very dangerous come October and November.

Any word on if Jones is playing?

If Russell plays with the same energy and competitiveness as they did against Ironton, and without the turnovers, this could be a great game. We will see.

7 Pikeville 5 Prestonsburg 3 Perry Central 2 Lynn Camp 1 Corbin TB - Pikeville