MrKnowitAll

What is happening

Anything

Score and time? Who has possession?

I think this should be a GREAT game. Both teams are physical and well coached. That being said I think that if this was a best of 7 series Belfry would win for sure, but in a 1 game format anything can happen. Below I have listed what I think are Russell's Keys to Victory. On below is Belfry's. I wish both teams the best of luck and whoever wins I hope they win next week as well and represent the East well. Russell Keys to Victory 1. Win the turnover battle: I don't think Russell can win unless Belfry helps them. Russell needs to find some help and TOs are the best help in a game like this. 2. Match Belfry's Physical Play: Belfry will be the most physical team Russell has played all year. Russell has to match the physical play and hold their own. The most important stat of this game will be 3rd and short (3yds or less) for Belfry. If Russell does not win half of those situation battles and get Belfry's O off the field I don't think they can win. 3. Take some shots: If Russell and Belfry both play well Russell loses. Plain and simple. Russell needs to take some calculated shots down field and make some plays. If they play to conservative Belfry's overall talent will win IMO. Belfry's Keys to Victory 1. Be Belfry. You are the better team. Limit turnovers and penalties and you will play in Bowling Green. 2. Contain Conley. Bronson Korzep is a hard runner and tough kid, but Nick Conley is special. He turned in over 200 yds vs Ashland and made tacklers miss. Belfry can handle a down hill runner like Korzep, but they can't let Conley get in space and make plays. Russell's best chance against Belfry's defense is that they break some big plays and Conley is the best chance for that. 3. Don't get Caught Looking Ahead: Belfry should win this game but don't get caught up with the score from out West. Ask Pikeville what happens when you look ahead.

I think the Devils schedule is better and it will payoff tonight. While I think it will be a good game I see Russell moving on to play Belfry next week. Bourbon had a much tougher time with Estill than Russell did and even though comparing scores is useless (since it is all about matchups in football) I still feel the Devils take care of business at home. Good luck to both. Russell: 35 Bourbon: 21

I am hoping it is a close game, but if I were betting I would bet on a running clock by the third qtr. There was a lot of talking going on by LC people after the first game and I don't think Belfry will have forgotten it. Good luck to both. Belfry: 49 Lawrence: 14

So a comparison of players is based on the teams success? Ok. That makes perfect sense. Maybe the thread is to compare the caliber of backs that have had big games against Highlands. We all know Highlands won, but I bet college coaches are more interested in Bakers 12 points than Kendall's 24.

I personally thought the blocked FG returned for a TD was bigger than the schedule but that's just me.

Didn't he also pick Middle Tenn to beat UK?? Don't put to much stock in his picks. He is last or close to it in the weekly picks.

I am pulling for JC in this one. While Cov. Cath has played a superior schedule and I like to look at bodies of work I am not sure they have beaten anyone as good as JC. The win over Dixie Heights looks good now, but that win was in August and was Dixie's first game. Cov Cath has seen better competition that is for sure but seeing competition and beating it are two different things. Nobody think Arkansas could beat OSU since they played and lost to a better schedule. All in all I expect a game that is close throughout. Would be shocked if either team wins by more than 2 scores. Good luck to both.

I was listing non-district games. 3A has been the most up and down class all year and saying they were ranked in the top 10 is not a massive feat in today's 6 class system. Mason was ranked 6th when they came to Russell. Rankings can be misleading. I prefer to look at bodies of work and Estill's is not as impressive to me as Russell's. Just my thoughts.

Russell has played a better schedule it seems to me. I think Jones has the speed to give any team fits, but Russell played Ashland and they have a couple of kids who are just as fast if not faster than Jones IMO so his speed will not be the first time they have seen elite speed. At this point in the season I usually go with the team that has played better competition and I will have to go with Russell. I feel games against Ashland, Ironton, and Pikeville are better than Magoffin and LCA. RUSSELL: 35 Estill Co: 22

If this happened the Jefferson County would be tough to beat.

WOW Is every high school football coach in OH a math major? Seems a little confusing. I have been around KY coaches who could not figure this system out on their best days.

Ashland physically wore down Raceland late in the game. That was early in the season and the Rams are a different team now than then. That being said I think the same thing happens in this one. Raceland hangs tough for a while because they are a very good football team, but in the end the size and physical play of Ironton is to much. I expect this game to be close early but get further and further out of reach each quarter. Good luck to both. Ironton: 42 Raceland: 21