STEEL_CURTAIN88

Should be a landslide victory for the Rams. Valley has either returned the opening kick for a TD or scored on a big play on their first possession. I expect the same this yeae, but thats all they get. Raceland 48 Valley 6

Im not saying that Greenup cant win this game, but I just dont see them having the horses upfront to be able to hang with the Rams for 4 quarters. We are still and run first offense, but you have to respect Heighton's arm and the speed we have at WR, so loading the box can get you burnt. That being said I think Greenup will break some big plays early and the Rams weather the storm and get settled in and control the tempo. I feel Raceland is better upfront on both sides of the ball and that will be the difference in the game. Rams 35 Muskies 14

Thats a tough one Pi. The top teams in 1a year in and out play far tougher schedules than their counter parts. The biggest issue I see is depth. a middle of the top 10 6A team will likely have far more numbers and more impirtantly, quality numbers, than even the biggest and baddest single A schoolsz if kids get banged up, it could derail a single A schools season (see Hazard the last few years). But at the same time, scheduling is not always as easy as many think. This very well could have been the best bang for their buck that Paintsville could get. Not like FD is a perennial power and really have a ways to go to prove their relevance in the 6A class. I dont however, see this going in Paintsvilles favor. I think they will be tough early on, their OL and DL are huge, but they dont have that 1 or 2 guys that can complrtely change the face if a game like they did in Daniel, Phelps, and Allen. If they hang for a quarter or an entire half, they will have my attention though. FD 42 Paintsville 14 And FWIW, i hope Im wrong.

Rams have too much firepower and strength upfront for the Comets. WC has some atheletes but not enough, imo. Going with the Rams by a bigger margin this year due to more offensive productivity. Rams 42 Comets 7

5 of 12 for 103 and 2tds according to adi.

However much Greenup wants to score...they will score in this one.

Lawrence was possibly the hardest hitting team I saw Raceland play last year. But didnt have the horses, especially upfront, to keep up with Raceland for 4 quarters. That being said, Raceland returns an entire backfield and 3 of 5 starting lineman. So I think the game may be closer that last year, but Im still going with Raceland by 2 scores. Rams 28 Dawgs 14

I cant believe how big the field looks after moving the bus garage. Just made it look so much cleaner. The track expansion has the same affect. Wish we could have afforded the orange track, that would have been incredible! But the field looks great, its a long time coming thata for sure. It was a rock garden with patches of grass when we played on it lol!!!

I was wondering a similar thing. A few years ago, well I say a few, but over a decade ago, there were some players from Rose Hill Christian, that played middle school football at Fairview. I was told it was allowed due to RH not having a football program. Is this still the case? Can a kid play a sport at another school if the aport is not played at the school they are enrolled in?

They will only return 15 or so players this year. In years past they had big Junior and Senior classes to help offset their lower underclassmen numbers. If I am not mistaken, they will only have 9 seniors, and a total of 5 sophomores and freshman. In years past, having a 30-40 man roster meant 15+ juniors and another 15+ seniors. Thats not the case this year and years to come. Hopefully the Eagles can weather the storm because they have some tallent in the youth league right now.

the offense was one dimensional and predictable. no threat to throw the ball and we ran the offense the same way we did all season long. the difference was, Beechwood had the ability to move the football when they had it. taking up big chunks of time and finishing drives. same thing happened against Somerset and Portsmouth West. cant be one dimensional and expect to win a title. unless you are belfry.

imo they need to play like the man with a target on their back, but keeping in mind that Pikeville was a holding call away from winning the semifinal game. from what i am being told though, the boys r working hard and realized what it takes to get to the carpet. thats working ur tail off in the offseason and taking advantage of each and ever opportunity placed in front if you.

One thing i keep playing over in my head is that last year, very few people thought we could get out of the second round of the playoffs and even fewer people, myself included, expected us to win a regional championship. If you look back over the history of Raceland football, you will see a handful of teams that many fully expected to not inly accomplish those things, but surpass them by not only making it to the carpet, but winning there. It takes a little luck and a bounce of the ball here and there to get out of the east, as there are usually 3-5 teams that are always knipping at each others heels. Last years "dark horse" and state runner up, took advantage of each opportunity. That, imo, sets the bar even hire for this years squad, who is arguably going to be better, atleast on the offensive side of the ball. But, from a regular season standpoint, last years squad was simply a solid run game, with some atheletes, but no consistent passing game, but played great fundamental defense that had us right there to win the games we lost. That must continue. With that and a more balanced offense, I think the sky is the limit for the 2018 Rams. Pikeville is goina be tough for the next couple years, but I think we will be right therr with them. As will Hazard and Paintsville. Wont be an easy task as usual. But I see no reason why we cant be back in Lexington on Nov 30.

Last year we didnt have the ability to utilize the speed we had at WR as much as, I'm sure everyone, would have liked. This year, I dont expect that to be the case. Gunner showed the ability to go up and get the jump balls, which along with his speed, makes him a very substantial threat any time a ball goes his way. He is one if those kids that just has something special. What's crazy is he was a very late bloomer in terms of toughness and his mentality. Very proud of him.

Agree 100%. I did hear though, from the source u did, that they were looking for a move when Vass was out. But I knew he would stay once I heard who Itown hired. Tbh, none of it matters bc the expectations dont change for this 2018 installation of the Rams no matter who is under center.

Wow. Was he not teaching?

Wow. Wonder where Ray is going?

Like I said, its been talked about, seemingly every season, that he is coming back. But, there are alot that goes into it and both the school and the family refuse to do things in any other way than the legal and legit way. Which in this day and age, speaks volumes of the character of both parties. Either way, I fully expect a more balanced and explosive offense this year. Heighton is perfectly capable of stepping in at QB imo. Has some big game experience from the mound in baseball and is cool under pressure and he has the luxury of an experienced OL and a stable of great RBs that could potentially produce 2 1000 yard running backs in Hunter and Judd. Who ever the QB is, all they will need to do is make smart decisions throwing the ball and complete enough passes to keep the defense in a balanced set and not be able to load the box. The transfer would take us to another level, imo and we would get 2 years out of him, but unless things are done the right way, its not worth the risk to either party. And I think Heighton gives us just as good a shot at getting back to Lexington and he would give us a potential 3 year starter by his senior year. No matter what, things are looking good for the Rams.

The QB you speak of was a Ram in grade school and has wanted to come back since he left and each year it's been talked about that he was. To my knowledge he hasnt officially enrolled at Raceland yet. The lineman has and is fitting in well on our side of the pond. As for the QB, theres alot that goes into him transferring. He is a former Ram with a great set of parents trying to get him in the best situation possible. He himself is a great kid and I for one would love to see him back in RamLand.

I look for the Rams to take a step foward offensively from last season and be a more complete and balanced team on that side of the ball. Defensively may have some growing pains until the 3rd or 4th week of the season against any power run teams, but i think all in all we will be better than last years State Runner Up finish. Not saying we will win it all or even get to that point again, but imo, at least will have more offensive production. Which should in-turn help a rebuilding-esk front 7 defensively.

Hearing he turned it down. Thats not official though.

From what I heard, A coach was offered, Luke Salmons. Accepted the job, it was announced by the BOE and then he decided to not take the job? Heard he did the same at PCC. Whats the deal there?

Imo, no. Not any time soon any way. The tallent piol just isnt there. There have been kids leaving to come over to our side of the river, heading to WB, Valley, and Midland for some time now. I dont think Grizzle would have anything to gain by getting the job. If u look at trends over the last decade. Greenup is trending up, with a good alignment coming up in the next few years and Ironton will have to continually deal with Wheelersburg

That right there, imo is why its hard to judge these late playoff/title games. The districts as a whole are extremely weak, with really only a handful of district champs and runner-ups capable of going past the 3rd round. With teams like Beechwood, Raceland, Pikeville, and now Paintsville, scheduling up in their predistrict schedule, you know they will be prepared for bkg game situations, but its hard to judge how much they improve from week 4 or 5, until the regional finals, as they have all seemingly got to sleep walk through the first few rounds. In any event, right now, these two teams are polar opposites. An extablished, preseason favorite for, and regular title contender verses the cinderella story. Its what small high school football football ia all about, imo. Great story line.

Well said Bac. I agree 100%