IronCat

Was it just me or did Ashland run the Football? Could this be a sign of the Ashland of old? But Great game, two exciting ball games in a row, I Love it. The Offensive line looked great, Matt Thomas looked great, and the defense look much, much improved. Hats off to Russell, your a fine program with nothing to be ashamed of. Its been a wonderful Day, Yoter

Im going to open a can of worms here, but Russell would have done the same thing. Unfortanatly money is all that matters. I like a lot of you want to see em play, but I wasnt notified when the decision was made. A little bit of anticipation never hurt anyone. Putnam has been muddy before, and will be muddy tomorrow, but hopefully the bleachers wont. As long as theres people there to watch the boys play in the mud, it wont matter how muddy Putnam is. Money makes the world go round, Yoter

Well said. But if Ashland can pull off a win against a good Belfry team with their "big playmaker" in Drew McDavid making mistakes, Im impressed. Good luck to both teams tomorrow night. Wishing luck to all, Yoter

Wet conditions can hault a throwing team and trip up a running. The officials do a pretty good job of keeping a dry ball on the field. I dont think the weather will be the decider in this game, Ive been wrong before. But I just feel theres a lot more to this game than weather. Hoping for dry for the mere reason I dont want to be wet, Yoter

Ive got to wish Belfry luck with all the reports Ive heard of the Sportsmenship they showed Ashland. That says a lot about a team in my book. But LC needs this game, more than Belfry does so who knows. Good luck to the Dawgs and the Pirates. Thankful for a blocked extra-point, Yoter

Ahh GIAT this game will be a dandy. I cant wait myself. A great Rivalry. And with both teams out to prove somthing. Russell- that they can and plan to repeat as 2A State Champs. Ashland- that one, their not as bad as what everyone is giving them credit for, and two, they aim to do some business themselves. Im a firm believer that we could rant and boast until the cows come home, but this game is one thats not easily predicted, ANYTIME. This is a game thats played with heart and emotion. The team that wants it more will win, and theres no way to know who that is until late Friday night. Awaiting the Devils arrival to Putnam, Yoter

Painter I couldnt have said it better myself. All this talk of the better team... Ill tell you Friday night around 11 o'clock. But I love this game, almost more than any other. Both teams are better than the other, both stadiums are better than the other, and of course both fa nbases are better than the other. If you dont believe me just ask the fans! But this should be a great game. Good luck to both teams in their contest. Loving this week of the schedule more than most, Yoter

I would like to see Boyd County win. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Lee Evans and Im rooting for him in all their games but one. I think Boyd will find Sheldon Clark a much more physical opponet than Bracken Co. A rare occasion Im pulling for Red, Yoter

Ashland will be Ashland. Despite how bad the Russell loyal want them to be, Ashland will be Ashland. I look for improvement each week. Coach Hart isnt new at this. Still looking forward to a great season, Yoter

Didnt the Boyd County Lions beat the might Russell Red Devils last season. You cant base future games one previous ones. Like Ive said before, any team can beat another on any Friday night. Belfrys coming off a win and Ashland a loss, But IMHO this game is still completly up for grabs. Belfry will be Belfry, and Ashland is out to set a poor start right. Should be a great contest. Anticipating a Battle, Yoter

Well, well well. Where to start. First off Id like to say that I still believe that Ashland is a Good Football team, and to all of you "loyal" fans who say this will be a long season I feel you are giving up way too fast. There are ten games in a season, one mess up is although not desired, happens. I however think Ashlands season is far from over and I think the players feel the same. Their goal has changed from simply winning games to proving somthing. Proving that they are not going to give up. Belfry is a good Football team and I am extremely excited about this weeks matchup. I saw some good things Friday night. We ran the football. For the last couple of years we have had a large amount of trouble doing this and we actually ran the football. Redzone play needs to improve but theres no doubt in my mind that Coach Hart will have these boys ready to play Friday night. We've got a good group of kids and I think Raceland just opened our eyes a little. Im not going to predict a score, but I think you will see a very different Ashland squad Friday night. Good luck to voth teams in their contest. Keeping my head high and hoping you do the same, Yoter

The day has come we have all been waiting for. I would like to wish the best of luck to both teams in their contest tonight. The season opener for my Cats is always a highlight of my year. Hope to see you all at Putnam Stadium tonight for some great Football Action. Go Cats!! :fight: Getting out the old Stadium seat, Yoter

A Senior season is somthing that only comes once in a lifetime. The majority of these kids will never play another down of football in their life. But I too hope that none of them are rushing anything, even though these games at the beginning of the year mean everything, they dont. If you have to miss, nows the time. But on the other hand, I would love to see these kids get out there tomorrow and play 100% as would everyone on here. Wishing the injured well, Yoter

As exciting of a game that would be, I think the main thing that seperates these two teams would be the deciding factor, that being Ashlands numbers. But as was stated in another post, Heart means everything, and any team can beat another on any given Friday night. Loving Ashland's HART, Yoter

Ahh the planets are aligning... Everything is taking shape for some highschool Football. And theres no place better to watch a game than Putnam Stadium. Go Tomcats!!:dancingpa Counting down to Kickoff, Yoter

Im sorry I wasnt implying that I thought they should be there in another teams stead. When I read the title of the thread I honestly just thought that Johnson Central would be one of the teams from my area on this list. A top ten list can change very fast, teams must prove themselves. Hoping Ashland proves themselves, Yoter

Thanks Kick, I hope so to, I wouldnt want to lead anyone astray. I spoke to some other individuals this evening and my reports of earler have not changed. So hopefully all is getting better for our Cats. Still strong in the force, Yoter

Thanks alot MS. I think Im in store for a lot of fun. Anticipating Good times, Yoter

Good list... A team that I thought I would see and didnt... Johnson Central. Just a thought, Yoter

Great Post. I too would like to wish luck to both teams. If both teams play well than the more exciting of a game it is to watch. Both teams have some big playmakers, Scott Grizzle is a great athlete, and all of us at Ashland know how much a great QB means... Thank you Ian Holbrook. But its looking to be shaping into a very exciting Friday night. Wishing Wednesday and Thursday away, Yoter

First off Id like to say its great to finally be on here. Ive read for a while now and decided it was time to join the elite! Hopefully my input will be respectfully taken. Obviously from the thread Ill make my famous first post from Im and Ashland fan, lived here all my life and love Football, no matter what level. As for my Cats... I attended both scrimmages and saw a lot of similarities to last years squad. Slow to develop an offensive line and having to rely on the Defense and the pass to stay in Football games. But I believe full heartedly that with time an aggresive, smart and tough offensive line will develop. The passing game looked good, I like Mahan under center better than Drew, but thought Drew played very well too. I would imagine that Drew wants to catch the ball instead of throw it, but Ive been wrong before. These group of Kids will come together, and hopefully sooner than expected. Ive also heard some rumors that Brian Salyers will be back in pads today, and Walters could play some Friday Night. Im not sure how Fields Davis is doing, we need him 100% healthy, but I tell you, Josh Cordle played a heck of a game Saturday. But thats just my humble opinion, Good luck to the Cats and all other area teams this week. The new kid on the block, Yoter

Who are the judges? Any "Judge" from Prestonsburg sounds a little shady to me.

So 40 yard dash times dont count unless done at a track meet. Lifting is a part of the sport... the sport of Football. And to say that the maxes that kids do for football dont count is ridiculous.

I disagree. Every game means somthing. When games stop having meaning then thats when we start losing.

I agree that it is wrong for people on here to compare Maha with Ian. But I think thats what a lot are doing. The blows at Darrell are made without the consideration that Ian had experience, and most importantly the starting spot. Mahan didnt look that good on Friday nights because he simply wasnt there, Ian was. But if my Memory serves me correctly I believe that the JV squad had a winning season under his command. Playing at the Varsity level and playing at the JV level are two totally differnt things. I know from experience. Darrell will fit in nicely on the Varsity level and will perform fine!