[16thregioner]

The key word was "challenging" to be the elite team in the 17th region. No one claiming Raceland is.

Exactly.  Russell and Ashland have both had their moments in the spotlight through the years and do traditionally stand atop the 16th region football mountain.  Russell couldn’t keep their program momentum going through the late 2000’s after their 2005 title, though.  Ashland looks like they are going to have a tough time keeping it going after their 2020 title.

Raceland has always had an appeal being a small school that has always produced competitive football teams.  I’ve always respected the way they have the support of their community, too.  The northern Kentucky schools stood in their way for many years.  Fairview and the McPeeks stood in their way for a few years.  Pikeville is the latest obstacle for Raceland to get over the hump.  While it’s true that the Rams only have themselves to blame with a couple of bad home playoff losses to LCA and Williamsburg through the years, Raceland has kept on keeping on in their effort to build towards a state title.

That brings us to this season.  Raceland has a real chance to beat both Ashland and Russell for the first time since 2008, incidentally the year of the bad playoff loss to LCA.  Raceland returns their whole team and has a few classes set up for success.  Doing so on their new turf field only amps up the possibilities even more for the program.  Like I said, it seems it’s now or never for the Rams.  Momentum is on their side.  I hope they take the challenge and make it happen.