Grover

I don't know if it says anything, but he didn't even get this kid's name right. It's Ethan Faulkner

I have NO knowledge if Merle is the "chosen one" or not. However, you are quite correct that many times there is a "chosen one" and interviews are held just for show. That very well could be the case right now. If I ever do get knowledge, I'll pass it along.

An "in house" person would not have to interview for a teaching position they would transfer to, but they would have to interview for a coaching position.

When a teacher leaves (either retires, decides not to come back next year, or is let go), then by law, the school has to post the job for 30 days. However, many times a teacher in the school system who would like to transfer to a different school will ask for a transfer. It is then up to the superintendent and building principal to agree or say, "no thanks, we'll look at the applications". In other words, if there were two social studies positions open at the middle school and one is already closed, it is more than likely that a teacher from another school at Russell will be transferring to that closed position.

So when did this become official? Also, wouldn't Merle Kidwell have to be ANNOUNCED as the boys coach, to open up the girls coaching job, which would then have to be posted, etc??? Your all's speculation may come to fruition, but until things are official, I wouldn't say they were set in stone. Just remember, some people were claiming Steve Dodd was basically a guarantee for the Greenup job.

This may be true, but like I said, it would be a NEW change in policy for this to be allowed. Anyway, it's all good.

I'm not trying to start an argument. All I was saying is that I know for a fact that in the past, Russell administrators were not allowed to coach, head principals, assistant principals, counselors, AD, etc. This was a rule Mr. Back (the old superintendent) put into place. He is gone now, but changing the rule had never been approached to my knowledge. It is very possible that the new superintendent will allow administrators to coach, but currently, they cannot. That was my point with doubting the changing in policy. I can see the new superintendent bending and allowing an assistant principal to coach, ie, Phil Cassidy. I would be shocked, though, that the new superintendent would be ok with a head principal, ie, Sean Horne, being allowed to coach, due to all of the extra duty things he would be expected to do already. However, nothing would ever surprise me.

This if false, unless the policy has changed VERY recently. Name me one administrator who has coached at Russell in the last 10 years. Why do you think Gary McPeek did not coach at Russell while he was AD? He wanted to, but was told he could not because Russell's AD position was an administrative one. Garry Morris is the only one I can think of, but he is not officially the assistant principal at the Middle School. He is considered a "teacher consultant" because he doesn't have administrative certification.

I have a hard time believing any of this stuff either, but I have been around the system long enough to know that you can hire a (coach/teacher/administrator) long before the job has been posted. More times than not, the hiring committee knows EXACTLY who they will hire before things are posted and applications are taken. I guess this would be a good thing if you are the one they want to hire, but it is extremely sad and frustrating for everyone else trying to get a fair shot.

That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. Also, I find it hard to believe that 1) Sean Horne would have time to be an assistant boys basketball coach while he is the head principal of Russell Middle School 2) Russell's superintendent would change policy so drastically (currently, Russell administrators are not allowed to coach athletic sports) as to not only allow an assistant principal to coach (which I personally have nothing against) but also a head principal.

True, and don't forget James Barber. He was probably the best, most consistent hitter of the group.

I understand that, but that is the point also. Yes, he was recruited to play defense, but he was an OUTSTANDING running back. If he was good enough to overtake Little, Locke, etc..., he would be in the backfield. Anyway, I'm not disagreeing with you.

I think fans too often want to see local players play D1, but I don't always see this as the best thing for the athlete. If they are the RARE breed who can be successful and play significant roles on D1 schools, then by all means, go there. However, just being a great high school football player does not correlate to playing time at the D1 level (just see David Jones at UK. GREAT high school running back, and he's found a role at UK, but NEVER is in the mix for one of their running back spots; yes, I know he is playing some defense, but you see my point). The way I see it, if you are one of these types of players, which 99% of ALL great high school players are, then why go D1 as a walk-on and be a scout team player? I would go to a smaller school with them paying, ala Georgetown or Centre, and be able to start, contribute, and play the great game on the next level. It's not a knock, except to a few fan's egos who truly have good intentions, but want to be able to say, "Player X, from our school, is playing D1".

Loaded on the line might just be a stretch. There are some capable players who can hopefully fill in a spot/niche, but loaded (at least for now) is too much to say.

Well, since those guys WON'T be playing for Boyd this year, they will have no bearing on who wins the region.

Josh Gross - Russell Yards - 5799 (taken out of MANY games early) Receiving Yards - 711 All Purpose Yards - 6941 Points Scored - 632 Total TD's - 105 Rushing TD's - 88 Return TD's - 4 Rush TD's in a season - 38 YDS in a season - 2302 YDS in a game - 289 (Could have easily had multi-400 yd games) Yds per game - 164 Yds per rush (single season I believe?) - 10.71 Gross vs. Ashland (can't remember which years Beach was there) 2004 - 91 (1 TD) 2003 - 136 (1 TD) 2002 - 110 (3 TD) 2001 - ???

Charlie Johnson at Ashland was the best fullback I've ever seen. Period.

Someone from Louisville help me out. I think you all have "open enrollment", or whatever it is called there, where any student who resides in Louisville can attend any school in Louisville they choose. Is that correct? Also, if this is correct, are the transfer rules the same for Jefferson County as they are in the rest of the state?

Not to jinx anything, but the last two times Breathitt has played Russell as an undefeated team, they left the game with one loss.

Stahl actually scored the 1st TD. #12 had the other two.

The one and only time East defeated Russell was in 1997 (32-21)

Sure, and East beat Raceland so maybe they should be #3...It's just a no win solution looking at all the "who beat who" this year.

They are 7-1, with their one loss being at Wayne, WV. They lost 28-26 due to missing a two point conversion with no time left on the clock.

He moved up to the JV position.

Russell is lead by first year head coach Shawn Moore. His mini-Devils squad has struggled through the season, trying to perfect the wing-T system while playing the likes of Ironton, Wheelersburg, and Wayne, WV. The frosh are not deep nor extremely skilled, but Coach Moore has them going in the right direction at the end of the season (despite their 0-7 mark). I look for a good game here, though I feel that the Tomcat faithful can taste the Kiwanis Bowl trophy heading back to Ashland this season after a 3 year hiatus in the hallowed halls of Henry R. Evans.