RamCat

I definetly think Matt Johnson, Ian Holbrook, and Drew McDavid are all three deserving to be on the list. Its just tough to put everyone in there. If I could make one change to my team it would be putting Matt Johnson at LB instead of Josh Porter. But both were great players.

hahaha...Jason was known to throw down some sick jams back in the day! But seriously, I would have to say Donnie Rigsby or Jeff Watkins would be the top two for Raceland. Jacob Sparks can get up there too. He finished off a nice alley-oop from Boyles earlier this season.

Very true, Curtis. The Rams biggest loss was probably the kicking/punting abilities of Jacob Sparks. Finding a replacement at those two positions will be crucial for the Rams. Also I heard the Rams got some new weight equiptment that should be very beneficial in preparing them for the 08' season.

Thanks Rambler. Although we might not agree on everything, the bottom line is that we all support the same team and the same athletes. Thats what makes Raceland such a special place.:ylsuper:

I agree, the Rams will have a strong offensive line and should have a very good balanced offense!

You mentioned some excellent athletes Old Rambler, I agree with you that they are all very deserving. I also think you have to put into account wins and losses when you consider who would be the best athlete in raceland history. Individual stats are great but what the player contributes to the team aspect is also a huge factor. The truth is, it is virtually impossible to decide who would get the honor of being named the best athlete in Ram history. Everyone has their own opinion on this topic. I could bring up numerous names that have not previously been mentioned. For example, I could include Travis Roark who was all-area in baseball and football. He was the leading reciever for the Rams football team that one a district championship, and started center field for the Rams baseball team that won a district championship. Also, Josh Adkins name could be thrown into the mix, state champ in track and district champ in football. Then how could you leave out some of the guys on the 06' football team. Grizzle (all-state in football and all-area in baseball) Forrest (all-state in football) are both excellent athletes who lead Raceland to their best record in school history (tie 87' team) and district championship. Its just an impossible decision to make. Im just proud that we have enough great athletes to even debate on this topic. That is a tribute to Raceland athletics. When it comes down to it, we are all for the same team and all the athletes we named deserve to be mentioned among the school's best.

Thanks Ram.

I agree with many of the statements made by Ram. Defensivly they need to be more consistant and improve stopping the run. Offensivly they need to remain in their balanced style. I think the days of Raceland running the "Air Raid" are slowly coming to an end. We seen last year that they were under center alot more and were about 50/50 run pass. But running the ball is definetly their strength on offense, with Denton and Carver. Boyles is a solid, smart, good decision maker at QB. IMO he limits Raceland throwing the ball down field but he makes up for it with his athletic ability and being able find open guys under neath. But most importantly for the Rams, they need to stay healthy this season. I thought health was the achilles heal for the Rams in 07. If they stay healthy and work hard, i truely think they sky is the limit for this team. They have a great senior class and an excellent coaching staff. The expectations for this team are probably higher then they were for the 06' team or the 87' team. With the new playoff format and 6 class system, this team has an excellent shot at making it to the carpet. They have a tough challenge against LCA but if they win that, I think they can be a threat as a potential state title contender. This could be a HUGE season for Raceland football. Keep workin hard guys and never be satisfied! GO RAMS!

Some of the players that were mentioned from Raceland attended the following colleges: Tolliver - Translyvania University (baseball) Forrest - KCU Grizzle - Georgetown College Pettrey - Ohio State University Colegrove - Thomas More College Salmons - Thomas More College Those are just a few off the top of my head. Im sure Old Rambler or Ram cann help me finish the list of RHS college signees.

I said he was arguably the best athlete in Raceland history. Key word there being "arguably". I know there are many athletes that deserve to be mentioned among the best in school history. But I would like to know if there is any others that have excelled in 3 sports like Thomas did. He was all-area in all three sports his senior year and all-state in baseball and football. He holds the career record for reception yards and reception td's for football, career record for assists in basketball, and a state record for career stolen bases in baseball. I think sometimes just because a player is more recent, that alot of the elderly Ram fans think they arent as good as the players from the past. I understand that RHS has changed their offense and that passing/recieving stats are up from the 1990's and 1980's. But Tolliver would excell in any era of ram football. If he played back in the days with Coach Ross and the wishbone, he would still have been a feared kick returner and slot reciever. No doubt he deserves to be mentioned among the finest athletes in Raceland history IMO.

I agree as well. Just wasnt sure on the exact years he played.

I wasnt 100% sure what years he played at Ashland. I didnt know if it was in the early 1990's or 1980's. Obviously there are many more players that deserve to be on this list. There have been so many great athletes go through this area in the past 15 years ut would be impossible to fit them all on here. This list is just my opinion and Im sure there are people who's team will be greatly different then my picks. But I will agree that Nathan McPeek was one I definetly left out, he is very deserving to be on this team.

I thought it would be a good idea to see who everyone would place on their all-area team if they could use any player since 1990. Just using schools from the Ashland-Area (that is the schools the Daily Independent includes in their annual all-area team). But with out breaking it down into a big school and small school division. And no player can play two ways and some athletes might have to play their non traditional positions. You can also choose three athletes. So IMO here would be my team... Defense FS - Kasey Clark (Russell) Great athlete, very versatile. SS - Michael West (Lawrence County) Speed, Speed, Speed. CB - Issac Ison (Russell) Excellent nose for the ball, hard hitter. CB - Thomas Tolliver (Raceland) Arguably Raceland's best athlete ever. LB - Stephen Crisp (Fairview) One of the hardest hitters I've ever seen. LB - J.T. Forrest (Raceland) Leader on 06' Rams #1 ranked defense in Class A. LB - Josh Porter (Greenup County) Good ol' fashion football player. Hard nose. DE - Michael Gabbard (Russell) Strong, fast, and athletic from the DE spot. DT - Mike Salmons (Raceland) One of Raceland's all-time greats on O and D. DT - Andrew Law (Greenup County) One of the toughest players to block in the area during his time in high school. DE - Bradley Jones (Fairview) Can get to the passer, one of "The Views" all-time greats. Offense QB - Scott Grizzle (Raceland) Areas all-time leading passer, key ingredient in RHS' district title team in 06'. RB - Chris Jennings (Fairview) Most gifted RB to play in this area ever. Played for University of Arizona. RB - Josh Gross (Russelll) Cut-back king, Russell's all-time best RB. WR - Gerad Parker (Lawrence County) One time KY's all-time recieving leader. Played at UK. WR - Eric Day (Russell) All the tools for a great WR. At one time was Russell'scareer leader in TD's, total yards, and rec. TD's. TE - Hostester (Lawrence County) not sure of first name. University of TN signee. T - Aaron Miller (East Carter) Had all the tools to be a great one at UK... T - Brandon Pennington (Ashland) Hard worker, great leader, and an even better tackle. G - Sheffey (Boyd County) Excellent career at BC and WVU. G - Josh Wills (Russell) Great speed for a guard, can get out and pull on anybody. C - Brad Queen (Greenup County) nearly impossible to get penitration against this guy. Special Teams K - Aaron Pettrey (Raceland) State record holder, Ohio State signee. P - Marc Messer (East Carter) state leader in punt yards as a senior. PR - Arliss Beach (Ashland) could be on this team at several positions. Great career at UK and some time in the NFL. KR - Jason Miller (Raceland) Maybe unknown to some but every Raceland Ram fan remebers the name of this exciting player. Athlete Dontae Wright (Lawrence County) Could dominate at nearly every spot on the field. Miami of Ohio signee. Drew Ramey (Russell) Great QB for devils, also great in the defensive back field. Jake Hughes (Boyd County) versatile player, BC's offense went through him during his career as a lion. * Now that would be a team that any coach would love to have!!!

So are you saying he cant steal bases if he bats in the number three spot? But your right, neither of us are the coaches. Its best for them to decide. Agree to disagree.

Exactly, I dont doubt one bit that Boyles can be a very solid lead off man. If you put Martin in the lead off slot then there is no one down in the line up that drives in RBI's consistantly besides Carver. Let Boyles and Carver get on base and put Martin in the three whole and let your best hitter drive them in, because thats what your number three guy is for.

Greenup County will start the season as the team to beat. They return a talented group lead by Heineman, Logan, Craft, and Stringfellow. I think are a step above every body else right now. I think there are several other teams that will compete for a spot in the regional championship. They are; Ashland, Raceland, Boyd County, and East Carter. Regional Championship Prediction - Greenup County vs. Boyd County Region's Top Player - Peyton Martin (Raceland) & Gaitlin Barker (Boyd County) Coach of the Year - Ben Maynard (Boyd County); I think he will do alot with his young team.

You move Martin to third in the batting order because he is could be an RBI machine from that spot in the lineup. You but Boyles in the lead off spot, carver in the two spot, Martin third, and Keeton fourth. The best all-around hitter usually bats third in the lineup and for Raceland Martin is that guy.

Raceland needs to find some depth on the mound. They return Josh Wilson and Shawn Reynolds. Other than that I there is really no one else with varsity experience. I look for sophomore Bobby Mckee (lefty) to step up and fill the #3 spot in the rotation. Dillion Keeton will also put in some quality innings this year. But as far as offense goes I think the Rams will be very well off. Peyton Martin will be the center piece of the lineup and will hopefully be moved from the lead off spot to 3rd in the batting order. Also on offense they return John Scott Carver, Tyler Boyles, Dillon Keeton, and Daniel Jones. Should be as good as anybody in the region hitters 1-5.

I wasnt saying anything bad about Peytons defense. He is a great defensive player and like I said the best all-around ball player in the region. I would say that Craft from Greenup is right up there with him defensively and so is Stringfellow from GC. I also like the Wilson kid from Boyd at short. I think Peyton's arm is his only short coming. Dont get me wrong, he has a good arm for a high school short stop but I dont think he has the arm of a college short stop. I see him playing second base in college. He has grown alot since last season so look for more power numbers this year.

IMO Peyton Martin (Raceland) is the best all-around player in the region. As far as defense goes he has an good glove and above average range for a high school shortstop. However, I dont think he is the best defensive SS in the region but he is still very good. Offensivley he has the speed to beat out throws coming from SS and 3B if he chooses to slap the ball to opposite field (he bats lefty) but he can also drive the ball in the outfield gaps and he has also been known to knock a few HR's every now and then. He is one of the best all around hitters I have seen in this region since Kasey Hamilton (Boyd Co.). I think he is similiar to former Raceland great Thomas Tolliver but with a more size and more power. And I definetly think there will be some schools missing out if they dont take a chance on Martin.

congrats!!!!

I agree with Mcpapa on this issue. Rose Hill is a good team in the 16th region and will have a chance to play for the title but I dont see them being a top 25 team in the state. They have two very good ball players in Jackson and Euton. Euton is argueably one of the top big men in the state and he's only a sophomore. Also, Jackson is no doubt the most athletic player in the 16'th. The kid can get to the rim at will, but he's gonna have to develope a more consistant out side shot to be effective at the college level. But what it all comes down to is that Rose Hill has absolutely nobody after these two players. The Fuller kid is descent but the other kids wouldnt get on the floor for most teams in the region. Euton and Jackson are really going to have to step it up in the post season if RH wants a chance to make it to Rupp.

I think the Rams have an excellent shot at making it all the way to Louisville next year. They face a tough challenge in LCA but I think the winner of that game will go all the way.

Where is Hart county located?

I dont understand how Boyles from Raceland didnt get QB for this team. He lead his team all season and put up some nice stats. There was obviously no QB in the area this year that really seperated himself from the other QB's but from watching Boyles play, he is the most athletic and the best decision maker in the area. I believe out of the QB's who had 100 or more pass attempts in the area, he threw the least amount of interceptions. I think Craft threw more int.'s then td's. No taking anything away from Craft, he is a good ball player and finished the season strong but IMO Boyles was the most consistant all season long. Also, Brett Denton has to be on this list somewhere. IMO he is one of the best all-around football players that I watched this season.