redevil78

The coaches are not relying on a player's brief appearance in a game to make a decison about where they fall on the depth chart. Much of that decision is based on a player's performance on the practice field during the week prior to the game. Remember, these kids start playing in July. The coaches have seen them play for months now and they pretty much know each player's strengths and weaknesses. It's hard if you are a player or the parent of a player that does not get much playing time during the game. That's what is so great about the game, it provides life lessons for each and every player. Rules dictate that only eleven kids can be on the field at one time. With a team the size of Russell, you are obviously going to have alot of players who's role is not as a headliner on Friday nites, but instead their role is to help prepare the headliners for their performance on Friday nite. It's always great to see all the kids get into the game, that usually means were winning handily. I think Ivan does as good a job with subbing as any coach out there.

If executed well, it only takes three...:thumb:

That's right. I think there was a team last year that was a shoe-in for the title... Ft Campbell???? :sssh:

Russell has a decent coaching staff as well. They too will have a defensive strategy to attempt to counter the speed and athleticsm of Mercer's backs. You say you've seen us play, so you should know that we can do more than execute the wing-t. Our QB throws a nice ball and our receivers can catch it. :devil:

I'm sure that if we make it that far, the Devils we give it their best shot to compete. It may or may not be enough. To use a much over used cliche; "That's why they play the games". From what I can tell about this Mercer team thus far, they do indeed seem to be at least two classes above the rest.

Yeah, that's the dilemma. Wills is an excellent gaurd and Ivan's system puts a unique emphasis on that position for the offense to be successful. That being said, I agree that there are others on the team that given the opportunity could step up and fill the void. This conversation was a seqway from the premise that this team did not seem to have the ingredients to make it back to Louisville. Leaving Wills at guard for the duration of the season and not making any changes to the make-up of the backfield reduce the chances of a return trip to the Pizza Box IMO. The staus quo has served us well with the low grade competition that we have faced to date. But I don't believe it will cut it in the 3rd or 4th week of playoffs.

Wells is good, Wills would be better; especially for blocking. I think the complacency is inevitable. That's the real downside to playing noncompetitive teams one after another. This year, our non-district competition was lacking as well with the exception of Ashland. Do you think anyone on the team gets on the bus thinking tonite's game is going to be anything other than another rout?

It may indeed happen, but probably not until playoffs. These pastry games do little to encourage the "step-up" type of leadership we are talking about.

I have to say I agree Goherd. Couple the lack in leadership with the injuries thus far and a game in December seems a stretch to me as well. I can't speak for the girlfriends and party distractions, but there just seems to be something missing when you compare this team to last year's squad. It's certainly an intangible, but I don't see the mental toughness with this team. I look back to the Ashland game, and so many opportunities were squandered. We should have never lost that one. And I don't compare that game to last year's Boyd Co. defeat as we were never in that game from the start. And I don't mean to take anything away from the Tomcats victory, I really felt like they wanted it more than us and that to me reflects lack of mental toughness. Add to the mix a weaker than ever district schedule and you have a recipe for a derailment somewhere in November. I hope they prove me wrong though.

I think you take the first Olive Hill exit and then turn right after you see a sign for the high school. At the first road turn right again, high school is on the left and the stadium is behind the school to the right side.

:thumb:

Greenup Co. over Ashland

I always bring an umbrella just in case!

:thumb: Not a problem.

I thought this board was about "talking". I simply made an observation that the series will not be the same as you have with the Ashland Tomcats. Sarcasm not withstanding, you and I both know that there was much "talk" and discussion regarding the fact that Raceland plays at Ashland each and every year. I happen to agree that the games should be played on a "home" and "away" basis. That's how normal football series are structured. I believe Raceland has turned their program around with the current coach and staff. I'm sure the games will be competitive most years. It will allow Raceland the chance each year to gauge their talent against a bigger school where playing in November is just expected. Were there better teams Russell could have scheulded? Probably. But none that close and with that kind of guaranteed gate. So, yes I'll sit back and let the kids enjoy the opportunity to play each other. Heck, I've always enjoyed a parade. :sssh:

I guess we don't rate the "home and home" schedule that the Tomcats get, huh?

I wonder what the Powell County coaching staff says to the team as they prepare to come out on the field for tonight's match-up with the defending AA Champioin Devils on homecoming night. That's got to be some motivational masterpiece. Russell 76 Powell Co 6 (A consolation prize late in the 4th qtr against the second team freshman squad)

Kasey is the more complete back. He runs hard, has good speed and can "catch" the ball as well as run it. Thomas "hears footsteps" as a receiver and consequently drops more passes than he catches. He can certainly improve on this part of his game, but until he does, I vote for Kasey Clark.:thumb:

:thumb:

Mike Fields with Lexington Herald Leader has some nice comments about Raceland football and Aaron Pettrey in today's paper. http://www.kentucky.com :banana:

Devils 42 Cougars 17

A larger body comes in handy on pass protection too.

Good post. You make valid points, especially about the fullback position. The fullback needs to be able to move people and that just hasn't happened this year. Cordle could benefit from another year of seasoning, and yes, Jacob could step in and do a good job at QB. Ivan and staff will get it all sorted out in time.

I agree Jeepman. I think the coaches had to feel good about how the Cordle kid looked under center last Friday nite. Tyler is a good QB, but he can be a brute win he runs the ball too. Him in the backfield with Kasey creates a lot of different opportunities for both backs. I think Morris will continue to tinker with personnel on the defensive side of the ball as well.