devil58

The game was played 3 weeks ago...It has become a DEAD HORSE...Bad call or not, the refs did not cost Russell the game...Just like last year, I'm sure that many Newport fans felt they were as good or better than Russell but we beat them when it counted & went on to win the championship...This year Mercer beat us when it counted...Maybe many Russell fans feel we were better but 1 game decides who wins the championship, not a 7 games series... Let It Go!!!!!!!!!

It's commomly referred to as the "Russell Relax"...

Best player?? Maybe?? But, in the words of Rick Pitino, she definitely "stirred the drink..."

Best player?? Maybe?? But. in the words of Rick Pitino, she definitely "stirred the drink..."

Don't forget about Raceland & East Carter...

No surprise here...

No tournament team was announced...

Final

Absolutely no mocking pointed at Queen, Terry, or Rose Hill...They obviously proved on the "big stage" how talented they are and Rose Hill made a GREAT run last year...Any attention Emily & Laura get is well deserved...If there was any mocking it was at HOW LITTLE coaches from around the state know about our area...Coaches and fans in the 16th region know the talent that is here...The statewide coaches are obviously unaware of the HUGE holes left at Rose Hill by the graduation of Kala, Sarah, & Katie...We in this area know how competitive the 16th will be this year...On any given night there are probably 6-8 teams in our region capable of beating anyone else in the region...Just poking some fun at how little is really known about our little corner of the state...Please don't be offended...

With 2 of the Top 5 players in the state at Rose Hill and no one on Russell's, Rowan's, Raceland's, East's, West's, Ashland's, Boyd's, etc teams in the Top 25 players statewide, what are our area coaches thinking?? Rose Hill has to be the favorite...They return 3 starters, 2 of whom are Miss Basketball candidates, from last year's state runnerup...With that type of talent it doesn't matter if the rest of the supporting cast is middle school level... #1 Rose Hill #2-16 Everyone else just trying to be able to compete with #3 in the State

That was the girls' game...:thumb:

Final...Kittens by 10

They were 3A by enrollment... Friday's game against Mercer will be the first time they have played up in a championship game...

The favorites were in attendance and sat at center court but they did not play...

I think you will notice that most of the "arrogance" comes from 1 or 2 posters... Russell fans are very proud of their history but MOST realize how difficult it is to maintain a high level & are humble about it just as Coach McGlone is...You will never hear him or the majority of Russell fans gloat or talk down to other programs...Most of us "old timers" ( I guess I am becoming one of them, ouch) have seen the ups and downs and APPRECIATE the success we have enjoyed...It's that simple...Been there, done that, act like it and show some class...Unfortunately, all fan bases have those who can give the ENTIRE program a black eye...They see the world through school-colored glasses...Ours is no different...I believe, with few exceptions, any team that has ever played us or come to our place will tell you how well & respectful they were treated by the Russell people...The administration on down take pride in that & athletic director Sam Sparks makes sure that happens at every Russell home game... I am no Red Devil apologist so take my post as you will...Just as we don't judge other teams by a few of their more zealous fans, we wish to not be judged by ours...We realize that we are the underdogs this week and it will take an even better performance than the one we gave last night against a very good Belfry team to have a chance at winning...I will not be offended or surprised if anyone picks us as HUGE underdogs...Why wouldn't they based on how Mercer Co has "walked" through the competition? Mercer will probably continue to hear the 3A or 5A banter from some...We understand it is what it is and you didn't select this situation...No one has ever blamed you and there won't be an asterisk on the KHSAA record book if you win on Friday and 20 years from now few will even care...Bottom line, if you win, you will have earned it...But, you also have to understand and try not to be offended when others do have an issue with the "perceived" unfair advantage you were given this year by the KHSAA...Again, not your fault and this poor horse has been beaten beyond death but any Mercer fan who can look at the situation objectively has to understand why MANY others feel it is unfair...I really didn't want to go here but it is the hot topic of the year in 2A football... Russell will come ready to play & we'll just have to see what happens...The old saying goes, "To be the best, you have to beat the best"...The BEST from last year is back this year to defend their title against the "best" this year...Will we win? Do we have a chance?? Anytime you step on the field you have a chance...I am confident the Russell coaches & players are approaching this game to win it, not just stay close...See you Friday!! :fire: 58

Heard Russell beat Fleming by 30+

Scooterbob, most of the time I find your posts to be both informative & interesting & we see "eye to eye" in a lot of circumstances...However, an obvious intentional elbow to the face is never refreshing & positive... Like you, I was not there so I don't know what he was taking from the other side but, even if he were punched, it is NOT "refreshing" or "positive" to punch back... I will say that being physical (using your body to get position, etc) when others are being physical with you is important...I'm sure that is the point you were trying to make...:thumb:

If O-Cath doesn't tackle any better than last year, Mercer will run all over them... Belfry/Russell should be a dandy...I know we're rated higher but it's at their place...Obviously, I want Russell to win but this one is too close to call IMO...

Russell's field is in the best shape I can remember for this time of the year...There are very few spots where there is no grass...We didn't play at home on the "monsoon" nights this year...The field should be dry and looked great the last time I was by there... I know a lot of people dogged our field at the beginning of the year and I won't argue that it typically isn't warranted...But, based on the games that were played on the local fields we were compared to, my guess is that Russell's is currently the best field in our "local" area...

I agree that Mercer should win by at least 3 td's but if Newport's defense really steps up, it could be closer but Mercer WILL move on... The real test of how good this team is should start next...Unless a team has a total letdown, there shouldn't be any easy games after this week...

My understanding is he has been ruled eligible...

Not necessarily...The kids mentioned are good freshman players but they are playing in varsity games because the games are such blowouts...Russell's freshman team has no one who would be playing varsity ball if our games were competitive from start to finish...They have some good players but no super stars who are ready for TRUE varsity level competition...Not knocking our freshman players but you know what I mean...

Rose Hill is the favorite until someone else proves otherwise...How can you not pick the returning State Runner-up with 2 of the top Miss Basketball candidates on the same team??? :confused:

I agree!! I am sooo sick of these hypothetical threads... Let's just all concede the championship to Mercer...Is that what you want to hear?? You guys may very well be 3 TD's better than everyone else...Like I've said before (I know it's not your fault), enjoy your year playing down in class because the real world will be there waiting to bust you in the mouth next year...But, I will say this about this year, whoever comes out of the East will show up and you'll know you were in a fight when the game is over... BTW, if you guys don't win it all this year you will be wiping egg off your face until mid-January...It might be the biggest choke job in KHSAA history!!!

It is absolutely umsportsmanlike & classless...I see it in basketball too...You are beating a team by 30 with 5 mins to go & you sub in the JV & Freshman & the other team leaves the starters in & starts pressing... The game is essentially over...Let the younger kids play...Honestly, I'm sure most Prestonsburg fans saw what was happening & probably were a little embarrased by it... Good luck to Belfry the rest of the way...Looks like Belfry/Russell III may be in the future...We have some guys who need to heal up before then...Hope you guys stay healthy too...