Russelldad

Dodd at Russell resigned today as well

Yes

Here are two that I know of; Laura Terry Emily Queen

Congratulations to Russell on winning the 3A state Weigtlifting Championship in Elizabethtown today!!! :dancingpa Team Members Tyler Jones Adam Foster Jonathan Cornwell Travis Edwards Travis Jones Drew Miller Josh Hern Cody Perkins Cameron Smith Will Rice Steven Stapleton Adam Bates A.J. Cordle Individual Honors Tyler Jones - Top 3 in class:fight: Drew Abrams - Top 3 in class:fight: Adam Foster - 4th in class (Personal best 510 lbs dead lift):fight: Travis Edwards - Placed in his class :fight: Congratulations again!! Way to go boys!!:fire::fire:

I think a lot of it depends on what other QB's decide to play from the other east schools. Should know that by the end of the week when the letters of intent are supposed to be turned in.

Check my email again RamCat. Tyler is listed.

Hey gang; I believe the kids have unto next friday the 14th to turn in their "intention" letters, so rosters won't be set until then. But since, I have a "little" insight, I can tell you that 5 players from Russell received invitations. We'll just have to wait and see which ones turn in their "intention" letters before we pencil them in on the roster. The 5 were in alphabetic order Greg Bender Johnathan Cornwell Adam Foster Tobey Hicks Tyler Jones

Saihou signed to play with Bradley University. Do not know his status on the team this year.

Unless they change it up, Russell's spring practice involves coming in before starts around 7am and working out in the gym for a week. That's it.

Totally agree o.r. This year the field, maybe in the future a new fieldhouse and restrooms:cool:

According to an email I received from the Russell Football Boosters President, the field is going to get a makeover. It is not turf, but is supposed to be like the one that Mason County has. The boosters were going to try to go with sod, but because of transportation costs (around 9,000 additional), they are going with spriggs. If anyone knows more information please feel free to share.

Do not know a total but the last two were Nathan McPeek - Marshall Kasey Clark - Murray

I agree with you on the strength and maybe even the speed, but the size factor is what I think kept Tyler and Several other very good players down through the years from competing at the D1 Level. Being at the most 6ft tall, doesn't get you many offers on the defensive side of the ball at D-1 schools, unless it is maybe at corner where if your 6ft or under you better make up for it with either "quickness" or "vertical. On the offensive side, again your looking at maybe RB or FB position. From being around Tyler, Tobey and Adam through this process, the highest ranked school that even made a more than passing glance at any of them was Hanover college at Indiana (Div III) and West Virg. Wesleyan (Div II). If Tyler, Adam or Tobey were 3 to 4 inches taller than I would definitely say a DIV I MAC school like Marshall, O.U. or maybe even U of Cincinnati would have been visiting us here at Russell. But regardless of all that, these 3 have been given the opportunity to play at a very good school with a very good coach and on a team that is on the rise. Congrats to them, and I can't wait to see them play again this fall.

Also, I want to extend a big two thumbs up:thumb::thumb: to Sam Sparks and the Russell High School administration and staff. The ceremony was 1st class. The libaray was packed with well-wishers and almost the entire coaching staff came to congratulate each and every young man. The boys were really really impressed and grateful. On a personal note, I also want say "thanks" to all the fan's who have cheered these boys on the past 4 years. A state championship, runner-up finish and this year they came within one game of making 4 straight semi-state appearances is something to cheer about and Russell fans did just that. I talked with Adam yesterday and he told me that U of C has Kentucky Christian University on their schedule, so maybe before they graduate KCU will have their complex up and ready to go and everyone can come see them play again. Good luck and we salute our new "Patriots"

Right now, the coaching staff is looking at Hicks possibly at a guard position. Foster and Jones will probably get a look at either Safeties or Linebackers.

Toby Hicks and Adam Foster are signing with the University of Cumberlands thursday the 14th, at Russell High School in the Library after school.

On Offense, they need to find replacements for 2 year starters Hicks and Foster, QB Jones and a new center as well. I know that A.J. Cordle is the heir apparent at QB, but the line will have some competition I'm sure. On defense, replacements at end for "bash-brothers" Jones and Foster, someone on the line to replace Cornwell, Bender and Brown. Linebackers and DB's will all be back with a much needed 1 yr under their belts. Special Teams - Dolly and Bailey are both back, but will need someone to replace 2 yr starter Foster as Long Snapper on Punts and FG/PAT's So not as many changes as last year's team had to go through, so look for Russell to come out looking a whole lot sharper to start the season, especially on defense.

You are right, Coach Ward served there for quite a few years, but the relationship was most assuredly a love/hate relationship between himself and the fans, some big "last names" and a few members of the administration. But the key with Randy IMO involved two things. 1 - he did not give them any "ammunition" against him (until the hooters incident) 2- To his credit, he could have cared less about what fan's thought of him. He believed in his style of play and won games with it (and is still winning with it)

Having graduated from there in the 80's and having 2 kids attend school there for awhile and also having one of them involved in athletics, and having coached some as well in the elementary / middle school level, let me affirm that it truly HAS been in disarray for quite some time. IMO, the disarray has almost always been caused by two things; 1- Border wars (South Shore Vs Greenup/Wurtland) 2- Depending on what your last name is, certain "last names" have and has almost always controlled the school administration no matter which administration that's been in office. Someone made a statement awhile back on a post that said, that if the powers that be in the 70's would have decided to build 2 high schools instead on 1, these things we are talking about now, would "almost" be non-existent. I tend to now agree with them!!!

This thread has peaked my interests as I have read it. Is there really only 16 to 24 private schools in Kentucky? Or are these just the ones that compete in Football and other sports?

I echo the same feelings. No criticisms at all either. These players I'm sure absolutely deserve the recognition. But I have to agree with 98NCCalum that my first thought was also seeing the number of 5 and 6A players. Once again, I am sure that those players deserved to be there, but a list where 70% of the team is from those classes, maybe at least brings up the idea of making a small school / large school division sometime in the future. Just my "thoughts". Thanks for all of those who put in the hours to produce the list.

First of all fellow BGP'ers thank you for all the kind words. I will truly touched by all of them. It done my heart good today as I watched my son and 3 other close fellow teammates and friends come together for a little Sunday afternoon of passing the football around and clowning it up. For that to happen after a friday night where they left their blood, sweat and tears (literally) on the field, It shows me that they understand that the game of life goes on everyday, and that it will have it's winners and losers and if you give everything you have in whatever you do, you will always turn out a winner even though the scoreboard may not show it sometimes. Congratulations once again. This team was truly full of winners!!

As I read the posts this morning, I also think about the "Would'a , Could'a, Should'a's." As a fan and a "dad" you always see something that in hindsight may have changed the outcome of the game. For example, --The defense comes out and forces a punt on the first series (big momentun for us). We immediately pick up 15 yards on the first play, but then fumble it. --We are unable to punch it in right before the half and settle for a FG. --Up 17 - 7, had a potential interception, slip through our defenders hands after a tip pass --Later in the drive, our safety makes a great play on the ball only to have their guy somehow hang onto the pass for a big 1st down. --Up 17-13, facing fourth and 6 from the 20, we go for the 1st instead of 'trying' a 37 yard FG. (Who knows.. maybe he makes it, maybe he doesn't) --Down 20-17, facing 3rd and 10 from the 50, and Brethitt coming with an all-out blitz, what "if" the call was a FB dive play. (Who knows..) All I am saying is that everyone can always see something that "might" have worked. What I DID SEE though were a group of big strong senior Young men after the final horn not wanting to leave the field, laying prone on the cold turf, their eyes stained with tears, knowing that they have given EVERYTHING THEY HAD INSIDE OF THEM on this night. For those young men, let me be the first to tell you "THANK YOU". You have given this "dad" and "fan", four years of great enjoyment. You have brought us a State Championship, State runner-up crown, A region championship, and a district championship. You have allowed us to leave the stands 51 times in those 4 years with a smile on our face and only "6" times with defeat. We will miss not seeing you in those Maroon jerseys, but we know that each one of you will return to cheer on the next set of young men who put on your jersey number. Good luck to all of you on your next step in life, whatever it may be. Who knows, maybe we'll be seeing you put on the pads again next fall. We'll just have to wait and see what the good Lord has in store for each of you. To the coaching staff, thank you for not only molding and making good football players, but also great young men. Finally, to the 1 senior who calls this fan "DAD", YOUR MOM AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH and pray for nothing but the best for you in whatever you do.

Here are some stats for Brethitt off of KHSAA. http://scoreboard.12dt.com/scoreboard/khsaa/kyfb07?id=stats_24592 Looks like they are pretty much 50/50 run and pass. Could be in for a high scoring game. Don't know the stats from the link on how many yards they have given up since none is listed, so I don't know if they are more vulnerable to the run or pass.

I absolutely agree with you. From the opening warmups an 1hr before the game until the clock hit zero he was one fired up young man. Made several key hits (stop on fake punt, qb sack) and flat backed at least 2 or 3 Mason defenders on the sweeps and had the key blocks on both of bates TD runs. I read/heard comments from the last 3 opposing coaches (Raceland,East C and Mason) talking about his strong offensive and defensive play this year. Too me it's always rewarding to hear your coach give you praise, but when the opposing teams coach also singles you out it is even more rewarding. I know that he has been contacted and visited a couple of colleges this fall, so hopefully if he keeps up this inspired play,he could be fortunate enough to continue his career on the gridiron at the next level. But first, Breathitt County. But lest I forget, kudos to the entire team. Still have a couple of areas to short up, but survive and move on are the key words this time of year.