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Which really doesn't tell a whole lot except the strength of a particular district in most cases. I know that Russell and Western only get three non district games. Mercer gets 5 non distric games, while meaning nothing in particular, just means they have more leeway to schedule other games.

I myself am hoping for a tough game. I hope Fleming has the horses to take it to Russell a bit so the defense and offense have to buckle down and execute. That would be the best case scenario for the Devils leading into playoff time. I would love to see Fleming finally step up to their hype and give a dynamite performance. If they can: Russell 28 Fleming 20 If they can't: Russell 42 Fleming 14

Once again, it is Russell, not Russell County.

Russell's D (and the rain) also held Ashland to 88 total yards of offense.

I could be wrong, but I think the frosh lost to Ironton, but the JV won pretty easily.

Actually, I believe Ashland lost to Ironton, Cabell Midland, and Lawrence County. I have no idea who they've beaten.

Russell is 5-1 with their loss coming from Wheelersburg (16-0).

I see where I made my mistake. Here is what I have now for Middlesboro: Non-District Schedule Knoxville Central (6-2) Lynn Camp (3-5) Pineville (3-5) Lee County, VA (2-5) Corbin (3-5) Harlan (6-2) This brings their total non-district strength of schedule to (23-24).

It had nothing to do with excluding other teams/districts. I simply did not have unlimited hours to research every district in 2A. I chose the "Big 4" who are the top 4 teams in 2A. Like I stated in my original post, I'm not stating who is the best team, the best district, or the likes. It is simply research on the TOP 4 TEAMS' districts.

I have been hearing alot about who plays in weak districts, who plays "Cupcake" schedules, etc..., so I decided to do some research. I am not stating any opinions here, so please just look at the research and see what conclusions you come up with. First, please realize I did NOT research every 2A district, just the one's with title contenders in them (the BIG 4). I am including total district record (as of 10/16), district winning percentage, total strength of schedule, and non-district strength of schedule. I will also note any teams with particularly good strength of schedules that may skew the data. Let the show begin: Class AA, Semi 2, Region 3, District 6 Russell 7-1 Fleming County 6-2 West Carter 5-4 East Carter 4-4 Estill County 1-7 Morgan County 2-6 Lewis County 1-8 Powell County 1-7 District won/loss record: 27-39 District winning percentage: 41% District strength of schedule: 282-372 Non-district strength of schedule: 92-100 Non-district strength percentage: 48% Overall notes: Overall, mediocre district. Contains 4 teams with 2 or less wins. Weakest non-district schedule = Powell County (5-19) Strongest non-district schedule = Fleming County (15-9) Class AA, Semi 2, Region 3, District 5 Mercer County 8-0 Spencer County 5-3 Lloyd Memorial 4-4 Newport 5-3 Henry County 2-6 North Oldham 0-7 District won/loss record: 25-24 District winning percentage: 51% District strength of schedule: 245-239 Non-district strength of schedule: 126-118 Non-district strength percentage: 51% Overall notes: Overall, the district looks above average. Contains 2 teams with 2 or less wins. Contains 1 team with 0 wins. Weakest non-district schedule = Newport (15-25) Strongest non-district schedule = North Oldham (31-9). This team severely skews the data. North Oldham played 5 teams with a combined record of 31-9. However, they lost to these teams by an average of 41-8. Class AA, Semi 1, Region 2, District 3 Western 8-0 Larue County 6-2 Washington County 5-3 DeSales 4-4 Moore 3-5 Elizabethtown 5-3 Christian Academy 1-7 Shawnee 1-7 District won/loss record: 33-31 District winning percentage: 52% District strength of schedule: 326-317 Non-district strength of schedule: 95-100 Non-district strength percentage: 48% Overall notes: Overall, the district looks above average. Contains 2 teams with 2 or less wins. Weakest non-district schedule = Elizabethtown (4-20). Skews data Strongest non-district schedule = Louisville Christian Academy (18-8). Class AA, Semi 2, Region 4, District 8 Belfry 7-2 Sheldon Clark 7-1 Shelby Valley 5-3 Prestonsburg 4-4 Pike County Central 3-5 Magoffin County 2-6 East Ridge 2-6 District won/loss record: 30-27 District winning percentage: 53% District strength of schedule: 284-304 Non-district strength of schedule: 93-135 Non-district strength percentage: 40.7% Overall notes: Overall, the district looks the best on paper, however this is where the enigma begins. They have the LOWEST non-district winning percentage for strength of schedule. Contains 2 teams with 2 or less wins. Weakest non-district schedule = Pike County Central (5-24). Skews data Strongest non-district schedule = Prestonsburg (21-12). I have also included the Week 8 AP Top 10 with their current records and non-district strength of schedule : Week 8 AP Top 10 1. Mercer County (8-0) (18-24) 2. Western (8-0) (13-11) 3. Russell (7-1) (13-11) 4. Belfry (7-2) (16-16) 5. Breathitt Co. (7-1) (28-19) 6. Caldwell Co. (7-1) (11-13) 7. Middlesboro (7-1) (17-29) 8. Larue Co. (6-2) (14-9) 9. Ft. Campbell (6-2) (6-18) 10. Sheldon Clark (7-1) (8-24)

Last year Russell defeated Belfry 20-14 (6 points) and went on to defeat Owensboro Catholic 27-14 (13 points). You got it close, but it shot the theory of winning state by more than 3x the score they defeated Belfry. However, I agree with everything else you said.

Russell High in Greenup County.

Unfortunately, if you move Wills from guard, you leave a very large void on the line. There are some kids who can step up at guard, but are either unproven or have not produced consistently. I think you lose more by moving Wills off the line than placing Wells at FB.

Russell had 215 this past season.

I can guarantee you that every senior gets in well before any frosh.

Not sure what you have been watching. The last two games, the Jr's and Soph's have played almost three quarters of football. The frosh have barely gotten in. Last week alone, the frosh only ran less than a minute of football.

The district games are played on weeks 3, 5, 7, and 9. Ashland will be week four next year, West Carter week 3. Were you trying to keep the 4th non district game a secret or do you want to know?

Their schedule so far may have been easy, but so have lots of other teams and they haven't put up 414 yards passing per game. Give the boy some props.

I have no dog in this hunt, but if Watusi's numbers are correct: then Mercer is really close to 4a. According to KHSAA for this 2003-2006, 3A numbers run from 752.6 - 1040.5

We don't get much Clay County news around here. Those numbers are out of this world.

I just stumbled upon this today. Never heard of the kid, but check out these stats: Top 25 Passing Leaders (ranked by yards per game) Player Zach Lewis School Clay County G 5 ATT 174 CMP 124 P-Gm 414.6 TD 20 Can you say WOW!!!:fire:

With the merger, what is Mercer's student population this year?

Again, not to belittle Raceland. I have the utmost respect for the program. First, Johnson Central was just an example. However, I think if Johnson Central was in Raceland's district they would be a playoff team EVERY year. If Raceland was in Johnson Central's district, they would not make the playoffs very often. There is no comparison there.

Even if Raceland was a top 10 this year, they will not be very often. Raceland will be the weaker opponent 9 out of 10 years. My only point is that Russell would want to schedule tougher opponents on open dates to prepare them for the playoffs. If I had to choose between Raceland and Johnson Central, it's a no brainer. No offense to Raceland and their fine program meant. Beating Raceland will not really prepare them (unless Raceland has one of those rare VERY STRONG teams, such as perhaps this season) and losing to them, well, you're a Raceland fan, so you know how you'd react.

No offense to Raceland, but a Russell-Raceland matchup would be the most pointless game of the season. Never play a game (unless districts require it) that will not benefit you if you win.