Painter

Those are very sound philosophical principles, Ram and I couldn’t agree more. However, the fact remains that Raceland returns many starters from a very successful team so it’s not difficult to recognize this is shaping up to be an incredibly special year for the Rams. Also a fact, Ashland suffered through a miserable season in 07 and lost one of its featured "go to" players to graduation. Lastly, Raceland beat the Cats with much of the same team returning this season. Any way you slice it, Raceland deserves to be favored in this match-up and it’s up to Ashland to play a near perfect game to hang with the Rams this Friday night.

Truer words have not been written Jericho! Raceland is no stranger to offensive firepower and this 2008 version of Ram Football has all the indicators that their reputation will be taken to even higher levels. An undefeated season for Raceland does not require an over active imagination to envision. A brief and unsavory history lesson: 2006 Raceland 21 - Ashland 16. 2007 Raceland 23 - Ashland 20....nuff said. If the Tomcats can keep it close, they might have a chance...but that's a big IF.

Yes, they have. Raceland never backs down from any team and regardless of score, they play hard until the end. Perhaps at one time, the Rams may have been underdogs coming into Putnam Stadium, but the tide has turned over the past couple of years. Until Ashland steps up and takes a stand to change things, Raceland will tighten their grip on this rivalry. With all the skill and experience Raceland enjoys with this team, it’s going to be a tough year for the Tomcats to reverse the trend of the past two games between these two programs. Ashland showed signs of improvement during last Friday's scrimmage with Mason...it will take a continuation of that same focus and effort to make a game of it for the season opener. No predictions for this game (yet)....Friday night can’t get here soon enough!

Now, now Red Rambler...you KNOW the Tomcats play in the rain...we just bring out the good ol' mud cleats. (just kidding too)

I can only speak for myself, Ram...but from my perspective, this year's group of Tomcats has far more question marks hanging over their heads than they do answers. So, I don’t believe there is any reasoning for our collective "silence" other than we, as Ashland fans, are pondering many of the same questions that our horned friends are. Raceland is on the threshold of an outstanding and possibly record breaking season…I sincerely wish you guys the best of luck in fulfilling that likely probability. I hope the Tomcats can make the game respectable, but the honest truth is you all are way ahead of Ashland in many areas…only time will actually tell how large this gap is. So….no sandbagging here…Raceland is in a position to do what at one time I thought would have been impossible: Beat the Tomcats three straight years on their home turf.

ROTFLMAO :lol: Well said HCT...

I may have to make the trip down US23 for this one. Ashland has both of these teams on their 2008 schedule.

Campbell Co finished 6 - 5 in 2007. Losses against Boone Co (twice), Ryle, NCC and Dixie Heights. The scored a total of 241 points last season and allowed 234. That about sums up my total knowledge of Campbell Co, but it looks like it will be a good test for our "untested" Tomcats so far. Im looking forward to the scrimmage. Hope both teams come out of this without any injury.

Thanks for the reply EKU...can't say I'm glad to hear we have another county consolidating schools though.

Very true, Clyde. I know basketball is almost a 12 month sport with the various leagues out there, baseball too has a long season which extends into Summer, wrestling is a sport you see more and more at the high school level too....and no one even gave soccer a thought "back in the day"...

Thanks for posting the link EKU...nice web site. Forgive the question, but I must ask why do you suppose the endzones have "Martin County" illustrated instead of Sheldon Clark?

I can only offer an opinion from my region of the state, that being the northeastern corner of the Commonwealth in Ashland. I would estimate that our numbers of players turning out for football is slightly down from over the past 5 years. Although a modest amount, our turnout this year appears to be in the mid 40ish range but have had some in the upper 50s only a couple of years ago. Word out of Boyd County HS is there are about 24 players participating; Greenup Co (geographically very large) has a small turnout compared to the population base. Perhaps some of my friends from Raceland, Fairview and Russell can comment on those programs. Rose Hill Christian School I believe is developing a football program too...those players would have more than likely attended one of the public schools if playing football was of some significance to them. At the risk of sounding like an "old timer"...it just appears that kids today simply are not as interested in enduring the demands of football whether due to more choices on how to spend their time or some other reason. I have witnessed a tendency that players are looking for "instant" success and/or playing time early on in their high school careers instead of waiting their turn and "paying their dues" so to speak. As for bussing athletes to and from practices, I have never heard of that at any public school and with today's gasoline crunch and school systems scrambling to offset the rising cost of fuel...I doubt that this would likely occur

I’m not sure if this Tomcat team will have that marquee type player ala Matt Thomas. However, there could be a positive aspect if that notion has any truth to it. Often times, when there is the "star" label placed on an individual, other teammates may tend to look to that individual a bit too much to carry the load. Although on a much larger stage, do you remember what Tennessee's football team accomplished the year after Peyton Manning graduated? Maybe a silly comparison to our Tomcats, but it illustrates my point. I believe this Ashland team has the opportunity to bond together as an equal and cohesive unit...each role has equal responsibilities...and, isn’t that what a "team" should be about?

That "comment" was taken with a grain of salt here Ram...Players should be hyped about the prospects of the upcoming season and with this years Raceland squad, I’m sure the excitement is well founded. Raceland has turned this game into a legitimate rivalry with their consistent success at Putnam Stadium. This is a perfect opening game for both schools in my opinion. As for the venue, is there really that strong of an objection in the Raceland community about keeping this game at Putnam? The atmosphere with this particular contest is something special and I can’t help but believe the facility itself lends itself to the overall ambiance.

Thanks for the well wishes oldramber...I hope Raceland lives up to the hype which seems to be growing everyday (insert Aug 29th disclaimer here). The past two home openers have been heart breakers for Ashland....I cant think of a team I would rather play on opening night other than Raceland. A win against the Rams is exactly what Ashland needs to get their season rolling. Btw...I was glad to hear the contract to keep this game in place for Ashland has been renewed for the next two years.

This is what Im ready for...

So very true, Graybeard. Respect is earned and although there is much pride in the tradition of Tomcat football, our current group of Cats should have something to prove this year. Im sure we will have an Ashland vs Raceland thread soon enough, but talk and speculation is running high with our good friends over in Ram Country. Raceland also enjoys a rich football tradition and we are already in uncharted territory with the Rams beating Ashland for two consecutive years. Let’s hope these 2008 Cats are ready to start “earning” some respect by challenging Raceland for a win on opening night.

Are there still summer baseball or basketball leagues? It seems like some sports have extra curricular periods of competition beyond the traditional seasons. LOL at the "putting up hay" suggestion though...

I find this hard to believe as well Ram. Enrollment at Ashland HS has been dwindling for years now though...I believe the population in general for this area is probably not what it used to be either. Even still, one would think a program like BC would have more than a couple dozen young men show up to play. Perhaps there are others still particiapting in other sports right now??

I, too, hope Chirstina gets back out on the court(s) soon, but it looks like a six week recovery at this point. Let's hope all these injuries for the Lady Rams are nearing an end...it seems this group has had more than their share of bumps, breaks and bruises.

These are my sentiments exactly oldrambler. Beating an opponent during the regular season by a large margin sometimes comes back to haunt the winner of that contest...there may be a false sense of confidence coming into a rematch. Although Im sure both teams have improved since meeting each other in their earlier matchup...I have been very impressed with the way Raceland has progressed over the season. You said it best in the above quote...IF the Lady Rams play like they did in the District Championship game, the Kittens may be in for a rude awakening. Best of luck Raceland!

EXACTLY! During this stretch of the season, as long as you come out on top in the scoring column and nobody injured...it doesnt get any better. Raceland lives to fight another day. If these Lady Rams can give the same effort as they did against Russell in the District Championship game...they will give Ashland all they want and then some. Stay focused on the task at hand and play like there is no tomorrow.

That comment did lack clarity, Big Slick...thank you....actually, I wasnt thinking of a rematch at all (until next season that is)... but simply that there is still basketball ahead for both teams in regional play...

Congratulations Raceland on a manificent TEAM win against Russell. At times, it looked like there were 6 players out there against 5...very solid defense ladies!! The intensity level and focus of this team was consistent throughout all four quarters...remember that when you play your next game. Best of luck in the regionals....this aint over yet!

I, as others, simply dont interpret Coach Hart's stating a fact about enrollment as an excuse as to why we had a down year. That is my answer to your question.