[Scotty_Bronson]

I love reading the back and forth digs of Raceland fans and Fairview fans. Fact is that Raceland got beat at their own game IMO. Both heavily recieve players from elsewhere. Not as much as a bash on players from out of district as it is the pot calling the kettle black. Lol

Well the can of worms has opened officially. So here's my two cents. I agree with you to some point. Raceland has received a few players here and there from other districts. The argument I present that differs the situations between the schools is this:

Fairview, in multiple situations, have gotten players from the Huntington area or out of state. I think with Nate's ties to that area, from when he played at Marshall, is to much of a coincidence. Now with that said, I am not and have never accused Fairview of actually "recruiting". But I do believe that having a head coach that played division 1 college ball, with ties to the area, has a lot to do with the kids coming into Fairview. Need I remind you though, that I have never had any gripe with any player that has transferred to Fairview or anywhere else for that matter, that stayed there for several years (Devon Turner) wasn't originally from Fairview, but came in during JH. Devon is a great kid and a remarkable athlete. Great vision, speed, and toughness. I have a lot of respect for him. I think everyone's suspicions, stemmed from and concerned the "one and done-rs".

Raceland has had some kids from out of district, this is true. But a majority of them have stayed from their Freshman/Sophomore years until graduation. Now there were a few exceptions, with Sabastian Johanssen, but he was a foreign exchange student. He was a MAJOR factor on the field, and fought like crazy to find away to stay at Raceland because he loved the school and community. Many of us stay in touch with "The Swede". Jeremy Barr came in from North Laurel HS the following year as a Junior, do to his dad marrying into the community and moving for work. He sat out a season of football, then played his Sr year. After football season, he transferred to Greenup County to play Baseball. IMO he wasn't at Raceland for anything other than himself and out of his dad moving to the area. He was a great athlete but more of a baseball player than a football player. He stayed injured for the most of the football season. There was another transfer in Mason Rister, who went back and forth from Raceland to Greenup County. He left Greenup and came to Raceland, then after losing the starting job at qb to Tyler Farley, left and went back to Greenup.

In more recent years, Mac Boggs, Conner Messer and a few others have come into the Raceland system from Russell, but they came in as middle school kids. I honestly believe losing Messer stung the Russell program quite a bit. They say what he could be. But I know for a fact, from speaking with many parents from BOTH schools, that the mess that became known as the new Russell JFL and the intermural play, was a big cause to a lot of them leaving to come to Raceland. But these "Russell Kids" we have now, have been there since before their high school careers even started.

This is why it's not really a "pot calling the kettle black" situation. The only similarity lies within the fact that the teams have kids playing for them that didn't play for them in JFL. The only gripe I ever had is it just seemed a little convenient that two studs came in for one year and left, it just seemed odd.

Now, with all of this said, I have heard and read a few comments on this thread mentioning Fairview may be even better this year due to a more experienced offensive and defensive line, as well as a few extremely athletic transfers. Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

one more thing before I post this mess lol

I believe that none of this should matter! You can't control what other schools do. All of this talk just allows people to make excuses. What teams have they have, what they don't they don't. Prepare as best you can. Play with a kill or be killed mentality, play with pride and passion. Let the chips and players fall where they may. Can't wait for August!