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Raceland 2025
#1
Couldn’t find a thread on them surprisingly enough. If there’s another, please combine. But here we go….

Yet another year has come and gone and what many thought was THE year (after many though would be a rebuilding year) to win it all, comes up about 30 yards and a TD short. So the Rams take on the same task this year as they have the last 99 years. Finding that first ever state title. It’s the century mark year for the Ramblers in 2025, is this the year it all comes together? Same song…different verse.

They return quite a bit, but the loss of Linden Sammons (DL/TE), Evan Burroughs (OL/DL), Austin McKee (CB), Kenny Litteral (LB), Jaxon Rister (WR/DB), Ayden Cooper (WR/DB), and locker room leader and team captain Hayden Hunt (OL), are definitely holes that have to be filled. 

Offensively, they return their leading passer, rusher, and receiver. As well 4 of the 5 starters in the trenches. The holes left, will be filled by kids that are more than capable of filling the spot. There’s a lot of depth upfront for the Rams this year. There’s also plenty of depth at WR and RB. 

Defensively is where the biggest shoes are left to fill. The loss of Sammons at DE and McKee at CB are big holes to fill. To me that’s the only real question marks in terms of personel this year. 

Marushi looks to have a big year at RB, and a healthy Landon Stiltner is a dangerous thing. He looks to have added about 20lbs of muscle since last winter. Arnette and Rowsey have looked great in camps and running behind Jacob Litteral and company upfront shouldn’t be an issue. 

For me it all hinges on how we operate the offense. If we sit on our heels and don’t spread the ball around, we will fight like hell to get back to where we were. If we open things up after Waller has had a year under center, the sky is the limit. 

As for the schedule, the strength of it takes a step back compared to the last few years. Highlands and LCA were replaced by PRP and Mercer Co. Big differences in those opponents in terms of quality. That being said, it’s still a schedule that will prepare us for another deep run. For me at this point, I’m happy with being able to compete at a high level and these boys get an opportunity to experience playing in a title game. That for me is the minimum requirement this year. Many though, won’t be satisfied until we finally get to hold the trophy at the end of the year. Will 2025 be the year of the Ram?
#2
I agree, if Raceland don't open up the offense, they will never win the big one.  In my opinion, if they don't win this year, I don't know if they ever will.  This team has weapons all over the field and they have a ton of experience.  The big thing is they need to stay healthy.  They have two RB int Marushi and Stiltner that could easily have 1000 yard seasons.  They have several WR, but there is no reason that Rowsey and Ison shouldn't have 1000 yard seasons.  They are two of the best WR in the area.  If we throw the ball!!!  Waller has a year under his belt and he should be more relaxed in running the offensive. The line should be great with Litteral leading the way.  Defensive, we did lose some great players, but we have a lot of young and old talent to step in.  McKee was a good DB, but I think Rowsey and Ison will step in and fill those shoes just fine.  Both have experience at DB in the past.  I think those two could be two off your best DB's if Salmons plays them both ways.  Raceland also has Burton back, he will have a big year.  Safety's are set with Arnett and Goodall.  LB's will be tough as well with Lockwood and Bloss leading the way.  Any off these defensive players could play several different positions if need be.  Look, anything can happen, but this team in primed and ready to finally get over the hump.  The big question is, will they let them play!!!
#3
I’ll do this a different way just to piss some people off. We know what Raceland has…a lot! Let’s talk about the things they don’t have that may hurt them….not to be negative but to see what can be done to counter their weakness. One…special team. All of Racelands really really good teams had very good special teams play. Do we have a good enough leg to be able to kick the ball off instead of the dreaded squib kick? Two…team speed. We know we have Stiltner but who’s gonna be the second speed back? Who’s gonna be the speed receiver? Do we have a speed receiver? This team is gonna look more like a thick legged team from the 90’s instead of a polished fast street car. Three….qb arm strength. It’s lacking and we will not be able to stretch the field. What are some of the ways the coaches will fix this issue? How do we counter it?I know you can’t fix your qb’s arm strength but can we be creative enough to get receivers one on one in open space?Fourth…depth! Idk enough about who’s ready to play to know about this question. How deep can we go? Can we absorb a crucial injury or are we a team where the right injury will sink us? I loved this group last year because as a fan….watching these kids get better as the season went was exciting. It’s gonna be fun seeing how much they can grow this year.

100 years of Raceland football. I’ve been on earth for half of it. That’s crazy hahah. It’s gonna be a fun year.
#4
I agree with everything you guys have said in the above posts.
And to add to RamDad's post, I think something else Raceland does not have: Creativity in crunch time.
It could be Pat Mahomes and Ja'Marr Chase out there, Raceland is running it in the playoffs. The deeper they go, the more conservative they get. Just look at their stats from past two seasons as the playoffs progress.
If a teams like Campbellsville or Pikeville comes out throwing on Raceland like Sayre did, and forces Raceland into anything longer than a 3rd and 5, they have a legit shot to beat them. Raceland has to become harder to gameplan for in Novemeber and December to lock up a title.
#5
You silly people. It was the he pass that sank our ship last year not the run. We were going to run the ball in for a TD with no time on the clock and all of a sudden…..play action sack!
#6
Raceland fans are so cute. I love them more than Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the tooth fairy combined
#7
Solid first night of practice last night. I was there for most of the middle school practice and all of the HS practice. A lot of teaching going on with the younger guys with alignments and so forth. But first round of 7v7 looked pretty good. I think we have more depth upfront than what I expected. Weight room was really good to the vast majority of the kids this offseason. A few new faces on the staff have brought some new life and perspective and a couple changes made to the responsibilities of several on the staff has me optimistic about the offense. Numbers are really good again and looks to be around 50 kids out again.
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#8
50 kids is great!!!!!
#9
Excited to see Prestonsburg travel up to Raceland next Friday and compete with some great programs in 7v7 action.
#10
50+ for 1A is really good. Raceland isn’t going anywhere anytime soon but this year seems like their best chance for a while.
#11
(07-13-2025, 12:13 PM)Belichick Wrote: 50+ for 1A is really good. Raceland isn’t going anywhere anytime soon but this year seems like their best chance for a while.
People keep saying this but the Rams will be solid for the next two years. It might be their best chance because Pikeville is down a little and all of Class A is in a holding pattern to see what Sayre does the next two years. If they decide they wanna get kids in they very well go on a run where they own class A. But this outlook of now or never for Raceland…I’m just not buying. What will end Racelands chances of winning a championship would be if the state decides to go to 5 classes. This would definitely drop the Rams to the middle of the pack when it comes to class a football
#12
(07-13-2025, 12:23 PM)RAMDAD50 Wrote:
(07-13-2025, 12:13 PM)Belichick Wrote: 50+ for 1A is really good. Raceland isn’t going anywhere anytime soon but this year seems like their best chance for a while.
People keep saying this but the Rams will be solid for the next two years. It might be their best chance because Pikeville is down a little and all of Class A is in a holding pattern to see what Sayre does the next two years. If they decide they wanna get kids in they very well go on a run where they own class A. But this outlook of now or never for Raceland…I’m just not buying. What will end Racelands chances of winning a championship would be if the state decides to go to 5 classes. This would definitely drop the Rams to the middle of the pack when it comes to class a football
No I don’t think it’s now or never. I just think this is their best chance for a while.  Set up good for them.  But it was set up for Pikeville last year and never know about injuries and other stuff.  Sayre is a wild card but unless they bring in some pieces this year, I think they are a notch below the Rams. Campbellsville will be good and KCD is there. I think that’s their best competition. Not dumping on Pikeville because I’m getting accused of that. They have talent but I think they are 2 years away from another run.  Hazard will be good also but again a notch below Raceland.
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#13
Please put some of these posts in the Pikeville locker room. Guys, there are people out there who don't think you are among the best competition in Class A and several teams you beat regularly have passed you up before the first practice of 2025. I hope it motivates you to work extra hard to make them eat their words.
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  • Big Five-0-
#14
(07-13-2025, 01:20 PM)jetpilot Wrote: Please put some of these posts in the Pikeville locker room. Guys, there are people out there who don't think you are among the best competition in Class A and several teams you beat regularly have passed you up before the first practice of 2025. I hope it motivates you to work extra hard to make them eat their words.
No need to put it up in the locker room they read these posts Jet and it sure seems like Pikevilles season is over being 2 nd to Hazard and way behind Raceland they can’t even be seen
#15
(07-13-2025, 01:20 PM)jetpilot Wrote: Please put some of these posts in the Pikeville locker room. Guys, there are people out there who don't think you are among the best competition in Class A and several teams you beat regularly have passed you up before the first practice of 2025. I hope it motivates you to work extra hard to make ..them eat their words.
That should be a great motivator, no doubt.
#16
Nobody with a brain could put anyone way ahead of anyone at this point.
#17
Man you have to love the pre season talks. Just gets u fired up for those Friday nights. But as many don’t want to hear the rest for the preseason are chasing the Rams.
#18
(07-13-2025, 06:15 PM)ArmChairHC Wrote: Nobody with a brain could put anyone way ahead of anyone at this point.


Sure you can.



Raceland is ahead of Berea.


Anybody doubt that?
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  • RAMDAD50
#19
Did they play 7 on 7 Saturday?
#20
(07-13-2025, 07:09 PM)plantmanky Wrote:
(07-13-2025, 06:15 PM)ArmChairHC Wrote: Nobody with a brain could put anyone way ahead of anyone at this point.


Sure you can.



Raceland is ahead of Berea.


Anybody doubt that?
Hahaha

(07-13-2025, 06:46 PM)bac2369 Wrote: Man you have to love the pre season talks. Just gets u fired up for those Friday nights.  But as many don’t want to hear the rest for the preseason are chasing the Rams.
I don’t buy this for a minute.
#21
(07-13-2025, 08:44 PM)RAMDAD50 Wrote:
(07-13-2025, 07:09 PM)plantmanky Wrote:
(07-13-2025, 06:15 PM)ArmChairHC Wrote: Nobody with a brain could put anyone way ahead of anyone at this point.


Sure you can.



Raceland is ahead of Berea.


Anybody doubt that?
Hahaha

(07-13-2025, 06:46 PM)bac2369 Wrote: Man you have to love the pre season talks. Just gets u fired up for those Friday nights.  But as many don’t want to hear the rest for the preseason are chasing the Rams.
I don’t buy this for a minute.

Raceland is most definitely the pre season #1. Anyone who says otherwise just don’t want to admit it. I had my doubts last year about raceland being as good as the years past and then they scrimmaged Belfry and got worked and it made me think I was right. But there staff fixed there mistakes and come out and competed well the next week against a very good Wheelersburg team. They also made the changes later in the season and got things going. My only question coming into 2025 is how do they replace Sammons. I think they will be fine everywhere else.
#22
^^^ you don’t. But remember the name David Headley.
#23
(07-13-2025, 10:11 PM)ArmChairHC Wrote: ^^^ you don’t. But remember the name David Headley.

Didn’t say they couldn’t. Just said how do they. Sammons was a beast on that defensive line.
#24
That’s what I’m saying. You don’t replace him. Can’t replace him.

But David Headley will make a name for himself this year.
#25
(07-14-2025, 12:16 AM)ArmChairHC Wrote: That’s what I’m saying. You don’t replace him. Can’t replace him.

But David Headley will make a name for himself this year.

4th in tackles last season so I’m assuming he started. If he is sliding over to the end spot who takes his spot?
#26
Yes he did start. But bc of Sammons he flew under the radar a bit. Right now I believe Bryson Tuell is getting the reps at the other DT spot. I’m excited for the pads to get to popping so we can see just who is ready to fight for the few vacated spots.
#27
How many are expected to play both way?
#28
We have 57 started with 59. Could add or lose some before the season starts
#29
Heard they struggled vs Ashland and Betsy Layne Saturday 7 on 7
#30
They did fine. They were also at a 7 on 7 the day before at GRC. They don’t give out trophies for 7 on 7 victories anyway. We will see how good we are when the fur starts flying.

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