[Jeepman]

I've been watching this debate on who is the best. I guess it would not be like me if I did not throw my two cents in. I personally think that Gross was the best all round player to ever play at Russell. What do I base that on? Gross had the ability to break it for a TD every time he handled the ball. He utilized his blocks like no other back I have seen. Kasey Clark also did but not to the extent of Gross. Gross could stop and start and change direction. He may not have been the fastest but when you can cut back and leave a guy standing you don't have to have that great speed like Ray Clark. In the 2004 game I do remember him out running David Jones from Belfry to the corner of the end zone. I don't want to start a debate on Jones and Gross because Jones was indeed faster but on that one play he did outrun him to the corner for a TD. The funny thing is he was probable a better defensive player that he was on offense. The best thing is he was a better student than a football player. He basically did it all. I think that if the Russell running backs pulled out a highlight dvd of Gross and watched how he; looked over the field. He would wait for his blocks and then cut and accelerate. You rarely saw anyone get a good clean hit on him.

Russell currently has a player on the roster that has the abilities and toughness to be one of the great Russell players. I'm not going to name his name because I think he knows who he is and if he does the right things to improve himself over the winter he will be a team leader. Performance on the field is not everything. It's also earning the respect of your peers and doing the right things in life. Talking to other players and encouraging them to improve during the off season. I have a feeling that he just might have jaw dropping stats if he puts his mind to it. Work hard Devils. Each and every one of you make us all proud to say; We are from Russell.