ACE

Raceland was clearly the better team on this evening. Ratliff and Coburn kept this one from being a real blowout. Their elusiveness was quite amazing. If Ashland can't figure a way to better their line play they will struggle all season. Congrats on a solid win for the Rams.

If Brown is in the Ashland lineup, Ashland just might be a team to be reckoned with. He can be a 1500 yard rusher type of player.

Where is Flynn now?

Is Mike Flynn still the Highlands coach?

From an Ashland fans perspective....Raceland may have very well been the best team on the field. Messer was the best all around player in the game. If he hadn't cramped up, I think the Rams win. The Rams played with a lot of heart for sure. I think most everyone, including myself, thought this one was over with Ashland up 41-20. Very impressive for a team to dig deep on the road and push Ashland to the brink. Good job Rams!

Agree with everything you said, if Baker gets loose Ashland wins, if not, anybody's game. Glad Raceland is now the Ashland home opener:)

Not kidding at all. These are 17 year old kids, they ate very adaptable. Wouldn't that have been better than not playing at all? My guess is the kids would have wanted to play.

There are several obvious reasons Ashland wanted to play this game. Money is number one, I am sure. This game was expected to be a sell out and would have meant somewhere in the neighborhood of $15k to $20k to the school(my guess completely). The reopening of the new stadium happens only once every 75 years or so, this it was very important to the community and a much anticipated event. Many, many people had come in from out of town for the event. The "significant" donor to which you may be referring is probably John Koskinen, the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Mr Koskinen, is an Ashland graduate and had made a special trip to Ashland from DC to be here for the weekend. It's very unfortunate for everyone that the game couldn't be played. I personally feel NCC should have made the trip back for Saturday. I can't imagine that having much of a negative effect on the play of 16-18 years. Seems like there was a lot of upside to attempt to play Saturday and no true downside.

Historically speaking, AHS has been the dominate Eastern Ky school, historically that is. With Ashland's city population dwindling(over a 20-30 year period) they will never be the power they were. IMO, Johnson Central has been the top program over a 10 year period. I would say that beating AHS by any team east of Winchester would be considered a real major victory and especially so for the more local teams. AHS is solid but not spectacular and will likely never compete again with the strong NKY teams. Football is primarily a numbers game and AHS doesn't have the numbers anymore.

Obviously, that's a near impossible question to answer. At the same time, when is the last time Ashland had a critical call go in their favor with the game in the balance? Who knows when?-- i sure don't. As someone previously mentioned, apparently officials are assigned at AHS games(I thought about that, but wasn't sure so I didn't go there). I think the bottom line is most non Ashland fans have a strong dislike for AHS(and i fully understand those reasons, but won't elaborate here) and strong desire for AHS to lose anytime. Therefore, they usually don't look at officiating objectively. Most fans see bad calls that go against them, not the ones that go in their favor.

All points well taken....I have always set on the visitors side at Putnam(why? because that's where my dad liked to sit in the 60's, the seats are perfect, I go to watch football only and not for social purposes). Over the many years I have observed a lot. Many teams come into Putnam not expecting to win and sit quietly to support their team. Many teams come into Putnam extremely emotional and hoping/expecting to win--these fans can border on the absurd/insane, cursing EVERY possible call. From the first flag(good or bad) it's "here we go, it's Putnam!" It's quite fascinating to watch. I simply chalk it up to mostly emotional, irrational parents and the die hards.

I respect your position to disagree. Are the "bad officials" out there? Absolutely.....and I have never watched any sporting event that there weren't atrocious calls. Happens everywhere, every game all the time. I just think painting officials as favoring a certain team with a broad brush is a bit of a reach. I have found that most fans are overly emotional and see the event with "colored glasses"

OK, I begin with I am an Ashland fan, always have been and always will be. But I truly think of myself as a fan of football(and bball and....). I simply go to watch and rarely get exited and emotional. I enjoy watching young high school athletes playing competition for the love of the game. I catch other games occasionally at Russell, etc. I even play to catch Pinecrest High School in Pinehurst, NC on an upcoming golf trip. Call me naive maybe, but I really don't think officials, as a general rule, "intentionally" miss calls to the detriment of another team. I truly don't believe any happens at Putnam Stadium any different than any other high school field across the country.

Early season games are hard to predict and I know nothing about NCC. What I believe is that Baker should be primed for a monster year and one would expect him to run for 150 to 225 yards in this one which should translate into 28+ points for AHS. NCC will have to score a lot to have a chance to win this game. Ashland 35-21. It will be a fun opener.

I stopped by the stadium this morning to get a look and although there will things we wish were different, I find it to have a very classy look and believe all will be very pleased with the final result. The complete horseshoe look is awesome for a high school venue. PS--great pictures!