Russelldad

Thanks. Appreciate the info.

I am curious. Does anyone know why Russell is not playing Rose Hill during the Season? I am a Russelldad in football not basketball, but I do follow the team, and it just surprises me that as close as the two schools are to each other and as talented as it seems both schools are this year, why they are not on each other's schedule. Russell is playing everyone else in their region (exception being Fleming,Menifee). I have always been of the opinion that it is better to play as many of region competition that you can during the season, so that if you do meet at Morehead, you have a better feel for their style of play and players. But maybe I'm wrong. Any answers?

As someone else said, we did lose 28 seniors, and you surely cannot replace that much leadership, but we will also have 19 Juniors coming back. But after sitting down and looking at who is coming back and from talking to some of the starters, we still should have some talent left in the pool. On offense, Jones(8) QB is going to be a force. The running backs (38-bailey,13-abrams,32-Hopper) all seen time last year and will need to fill some big shoes, but seem poised to do so. On the line, I see Hicks(75) moving to center. Foster(53) will stay at left guard where he did an excellent job at opening up holes on the right-side last year for Beekman,Lewis,Jones and Wells (Most of Clarks runs were to the left where Wills(56) was the lead blocker). I see Harvey(74) moving into one tackle and Bender(44) moving in at one end. The other Guard/tackle/end are still question marks, but have several candidates among them (61-boyd, 72-Miller) who last years starters told me could vie for those spots. On defense, I see Jones(8) at one end and Foster(53) on the other. Harvey(74) will be back at tackle Cornwell(67) will be back manning the nose and Hicks(75) moving to the other tackle. Linebacker and Denfensive back will have to replace 6 senior starters. At one backer Hopper(32) could be there, the other spot could be Jones(8) will someone else at end. As far as the DB's at one corner bailey(38) did a good job for lewis(11) when he was hurt and had a key Int against Belfry. At the other corner, Cordle(3) has a good shot. At the safety position, I see Roark(6) and Abrams(13) getting an early look. Once again these are just some early thoughts from a couple of this years starters and myself. There of course there will be some surprises as the kids get into the weight room and conditioning program this winter. Every year I have seen at least 1 kid who wasn't figured into early predictions (like this one) step up and impress the staff and earn themselves significant playing time. Brown(60) is also a wildcard. If he can recover from that horrible motorcyle accident that wiped out his entire Jr. year, that will help us for sure on defense. Also, I've heard rumors of a possible couple of transfers into the program which you have to mix in as well. The non-conference schedule is tougher this year with the loss of 3 district opponents and the addition of games against (Lawrence Co, Raceland and Simon Kenton) to go along with the traditional 3 of (Ashland, Boyd and Greenup) along with the addition of Mason Co. to the conference, should provide a good test for these new starters. Already looking forward to Spring Practice in April to see what looks like another good year for the Devils.

don't know about the fan and Coach hicks, but the commotion came down to the clock and a the ball. Russell, got off the last shot of regulation with the score tied, the shot was missed, a Russell player (Gill or Robinson) put up a rebound attempt that lodged between the goal and the rim. Then either Robinson went and knocked it down and put up another shot or the ball dislodged on it's own and he put up the shot. Either way, I believe Hicks was arguing that a ball stuck like that should be a dead ball and posession awarded to the defense (Greenup). Also, by the time the 3rd shot by Robinson went up and he was fouled, I thought the clock had run out, but because of all the noise in the place noone could hear it including the officials. On the stuck ball, I may be wrong, but I believe he has an argument, but someone will have to help me on it

I agree with everybody on here. Coach Morris is an outstanding coach. It was good to hear some of you talk about his offensive abilities. I wondered about that since he would imo be the school's first choice to replace Coach McGlone someday. I've seen some pretty good defensive coaches, turn head coach and not do so well. So knowing he already has that track record, makes me feel better about someday having him in charge.

I think they store them in the visitors locker room:D

IMO, I think if there was a way for the Administrator to shut down all threads concerning Russell Vs. Mercer until after the game, then I vote that we shut it down. Parents, fans, alumni and boosters are not the only ones that get on this site. We have players from both sides reading this thread as well, and as my name suggests, I have a son in this game, and he doesn't need to read nor do I believe any of the other players on either team need to read the anger, rantings and bleeped out vulgarities that have spread over these 7 pages of comments. These kids need to play with heart, intelligence, discipline and not with a chip on their shoulder because of some of the comments they have read on this thread or what they hear us say at home, school or community. Those chips only lead to poor play and makes it very hard on each coaching staff to focus their kids on the job they need to do between the lines. As I posted several pages ago, both teams average over 40 points a game and both only give up 9.1 pts a game. I just truly don't see a blowout, but as someone else said, maybe the best game of all 4 classes. So Good luck Mercer Titans .. Go Russell Red Devils

thanks :thumb:

Corbins size up front on the o-line did a great job of protecting their QB which gave him lots of time to throw on most occasions which gave Russell Fits up until the the last quarter when we stepped it up a notch on defense. I agree with Moreheads comments about belfry's youth. Russell gave them too many 2nd and 3rd and longs where they had to pass more than I think they do, which since they are mostly a running team, that I think hurt them. They completed a couple of passes and had a couple more (almost's) that would have gone for good gains. Overall, both teams were tough games to play. An opening game match up next year should be a good one. I know belfry is young, I don't know about Corbin, but definetly a game worth going to.

reddevil38 - I clicked on your link and what I read on Page 8 is different that what you said. It says the following: Teams in the top bracket of tournament will be the home team and use the benches on the W. Side (Press Box) Teams in the bottom bracket of tourny will be the visitor teama and use the benches on the E. Side (Far side) Home team will wear dark jerseys - visitors - Light(White) Jerseys I know last year, we sat on the East side (At least I thought we did), but wore our dark (home) jerseys, so I am kinda of confused on all this. We are in the lower bracket, so we should have to wear white, but then we would end up on the same side as last year. (again, at least I think)

Did some stat checking using the Official State Final Stat Sheet found on KHSAA's web site for each team. (Including Playoffs) Russell (Points scored- season) 573 avg. - 40.9 Mercer (Points scored- season) 745 avg. - 53.2 Russell (Points allowed - season) 127 avg - 9.1 Mercer (Points allowed - season) 128 avg - 9.1 Russell (Yards gained- = total 5330 Mercer (Yards gained- = total 6171 Russell (Yards allowed- = total 2645 Mercer (Yards allowed- = total 2641 Combined records opponents (including playoffs) Russell's - 42 - 65 Mercer's - 44 - 66 Just from looking at the stats it seems like all these high score predictions shouldn't hold true. Looks to have the makings of a good old fashioned defensive battle. I for one am looking forward to this matchup.

I believe you are correct. Last year, I know that we were the home team, so I think that this year would be the visitor, but I looked up some on KHSAA and did not see anything specifically saying that, so it could be a coin toss. I'm still looking into it

But don't they still each attend the same schools they attended last year, do everything separate like last year, except for athletics? Or have they combined their academic's teams as well? Just Curious. This is something that I heard new last night. I had thought that they consolidated so late in the summer and with this being the last year for 4 classes , the KHSAA allowed them to stay at 2A. Or am I off-base or mis-informed. How could they merge if they still attend their same schools? IMO, if they new consolidated school is not ready yet, and since they are still attending their own schools, you don't have a true consolidation, but exactly what you called it and that is a "merger". Just doesn't sound right to me, to allow them to do everything separate from athletics, but like I said earlier I am picking this information up in pieces on BGP and don't know the reasons why KHSAA allowed this to happen. But I guess all that's is already said and done. No use beating a dead horse, again. While the polls and the pickers may and should favor Mercer since they are rated #1 and undefeated, I sincerely believe after watching Russell all year and after last night's shutout at Belfry, it will be a heck of a game.

Absolutely beautiful night for football. I must compliment all the amenities the CAM offered. It is a beautiful complex. I agree maybe a portal potty a couple of extra portable concessions might have helped, but probably only needed for the larger games like last night. I want to also say thanks to all the belfry BGP'ers who helped us "lost boys" find the best routes there to the game. Your directions were super. It is nice to be able to post for a whole entire week and not get one closed because of tempers or bad comments. Belfry players, played terrific and hard until the end. Hats off to them and Coach Haywood. The obvious trio of Clark, Jones and Wills were awesome, but as someone else said several players made key plays throughout the game (i.e. #38 Bailey, #20 Frazier, #53 Foster, #10 Wells) and I know I'm leaving out many more. It was also good to see #11 Nick Lewis back running the ball again. Made some nice gains along with #9 Beekman at the slot position. #18 Sizemore had a good game punting as well too. It's back to Pizza Box for an early Friday morning showdown with # 1 Mercer. With the way our defense played last night, if we can duplicate that effort at L'ville, WHO KNOWS !! Love, Ya Devils. You have made us proud. TO FBALL: --> The "fire is still in the belly" :thumb: :thumb:

Does anyone know where the officiating crew is from for tonight's game

Didn't say he wouldn't leave it all on the field. I just mean that even the very best players amateur or pro, always see something they can improve on in their play. I see that in Josh. I can picture him watching film and seeing a play where he could have attacked his man on offense a different way or use a different method to blitz the QB. I honestly believe last week's game has showed the entire Russell team, how "physical" and "tough" you MUST be to win at this stretch of the playoffs. The district schedule didn't do us any favors this year, but since the first Fleming game when we were only up 7-6 at the half, they have raised their level of play tremendously. They just took it to a new level last week and will have to "at least" match that if not exceed that on Friday. We have left the friendly confines of the HANK and must now travel to the opposing teams home in order to make the trip back to Papa Johns, against a team we are all too familiar with and they us. That said, if all of that doesnt' light their fire then I have faith that our coaching staff will do it for them. NOTE TO THE FANS: - We need to get on our feet, ring those bells, blow those horns from pre-game warmups to the final horn. Our players really do "Feed" off the crowd when we are into the game (i.e. like last years "Newport", "Belfry" and "Ocath" games. Okay, off my pedestal. Go Devils !!!!! We love you all !!!! :devil: :fight: :fire:

I agree. It would not surprise me to see the Power-I backfield a few times with Wills and Foster moving into the backfield like at the Ashland Game. But you just never know what Ivan might pull out of the bag for this game. He may even run the old "fumble rushke(sp?)" play or empty out the backfield and go "5 wide" and run some Tony Franklin offense.

Someone else told me about that route today. It sounds like a better way. But does anyone know from the US 23 Pikeville side if US 119 is four-lane now all they way. 2 years ago, it was only a few miles (2 or 3) and then the rest was the old road

I don't know that I would (exclude) anyone at this time of year, even when our QB hands out kudos to the o-line after last weeks' game in the paper, because everyone always has room to improve. I've been told that the O-line has really been putting in the extra work these past 2 days, getting ready for Friday's match up. As for that "fire in the belly", we'll just have to see how it unfolds on Friday. The win will go to the team who executes their game plan the best, and IMO not to who wants it the most. I know last year at the HANK, Belfry was not going to surrender their champsionship crown without a fight and they proved that by the 2nd half showing they put on down to the last play of the game. This year it will be no exception. Russell is not going to walk into Belfry's stadium and lay down and give the chance to go back to the 'ville without a fight as well. Go Red Devils !!!! :devil: :fire: :thumb:

As well. Does anyone know the address of the new stadium. I typed in the school address off of KHSAA and printed out the directions from the KY side and the directions if I come down US 52 on the WV side. Which one is the best. The KY side says it's 40 miles longer (124 to 84) but only 22 minutes longer (2 hr 40 min to 2 hr 18 min)

One last comment about the call on the punt. I was sitting beside a coach from Boyd Co. and like others I seen the player clearly touch the ball with his hand, so I like others thought it was down and turned away for a second only to see clark pick up the ball and run with it. He told me though that unless the official blew his whistle that the play was still live because the ball was still moving and that in order to down the ball the punt team either has to pick up and possess the ball and hand it the official or completely bring the ball to rest which is then when the referee is to blow the play dead. Seems like to me the head official "white hat" guy overturned that officials decision on his own. But this is all coming from the coach that was sitting beside me. I was unaware that you could even attempt to do what Clark did. Maybe we have some football officials out here on BGP that can help out on this one

I want to say congrats to Corbin as well. They will be a force to reckon with next year. A tip of the hat though has to go to our offensive line. From one end of the line to another they were super tonight. 1st 5 posessions 4 Td's and a FG. Play calling got a little suspect at the end. 4th and literally inches and you run off tackle instead of Jones taking it right behind his center. And then after the interception we gift wrap a timeout by passing and not completing it. The Russell crowd got a little raucous over a couple of calls in the game. Especially that punt return they took back from Corbin's 30 to our 30. Also kudos to our special teams. Way to hang in there dwayne. We needed every point after and fg tonight.

Coldweather - Couple of corrections, Corbin is D4, Russell is D6. You are right about the set up, but a teams district numbers are only used up to the 3rd game of the playoffs, that is why Russell is hosting this week, since both are even but 6 obviously higher than 4. But when it gets to semi-state they go by region number and since Corbin and Russell are in Region 3, Region's 2 and 4 will host because of the even calendar year

All I can say is (well I can't say anything because of this big lump in my throat right now !!!) Super Super Job !! :devil: :thumb: :devil: Hey my avatar was in the video !! There were alot of great shots in the video, (I especially like the one of Coach and his wife on the turf in Louisville)

You are so right !! :thumb: :lol: :thumb: