Published: September 04, 2008 11:42 pm      

ADAM VANKIRK: Boyd’s flirtn’ with Devils 090508

As advertised.

That’s the why I would describe Russell and Boyd County’s Week 1 performances as Week 2 pits the two against each other tonight.

Russell erased any unjust doubt about how good it will be again in 2008 by wiping out Greenup County 49-13 in a star-studded performance.

Drew Abrams proved he is primed to handle the load out of the Devils’ backfield while new quarterback A.J. Cordle was a tidy 4-of-8 with two touchdowns.

The Devils’ defense held Greenup County scoreless with a 28-0 lead at halftime.

Yeah, as if you don’t know by now, Russell (1-0) will be good again.

Boyd County (1-0), on the other hand, came out just the way I thought it would also: Steady does it and let senior quarterback Zac Wilson makes some plays.

Wilson didn’t have to put his surgically repaired shoulder through too much of a test though. That’s because he did his damage on the ground, racking up 119 yards and scoring all three of his team’s touchdowns in a 20-0 shutout of East Carter.

Wilson orchestrated a near 100-yard drive in the second quarter that Raiders coach Aaron Baldwin called the back-breaker of the game.

Back-breaker? Maybe.

But Russell coach Ivan McGlone prefers “game-breaker” when describing Wilson.

“Wilson’s legitimate,” he said. “He can beat you. He hurt us last year and we’ll have to figure out some way to slow him down.”

And that is the key tonight at Russell.

Can Wilson find enough room against the Devils’ defense?

And, along those lines, can Donnie Bryant, who had a nice game with 60 yards against the Raiders, prove effective if Wilson is contained?

A whole new set of problems is ahead for Boyd County’s defense also. I can tell you right now there won’t be back-to-back shutouts.

Russell 34, Boyd County 20

Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.

Last week: Russell beat Greenup County 49-13; Boyd County beat East Carter 20-0

Last year: Russell 29-20

Series: Russell leads 40-16

Radio: WLGC 105.7 FM

Pikeville (0-1)

at Ashland (0-1)

After last week’s game, Ashland coach Leon Hart said that without a doubt his team is better this year than it was a year ago.

I think I agree.

And I also don’t think Pikeville is as good as it was a year ago, having beaten the Tomcats in Putnam Stadium 34-21.

Ashland 24, Pikeville 14

Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Ashland lost to Raceland 19-16 (OT); Pikeville lost to Corbin 23-15

Last year: Pikeville 34-21

Series: Ashland leads 5-1

Radio: WBVB 97.1 FM

East Carter (0-1)

at Fairview (1-0)

Two young teams coming off completely different Week 1s.

Fairview shut out Lewis County while East Carter suffered the losing end of a shutout at Boyd County.

Eagles senior T.J. Shelton went over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns last week.

Fairview 14, East Carter 6

Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30

Last week: Fairview beat Lewis County 27-0; East Carter lost to Boyd County 20-0

Last year: Fairview 12-0

Series: East Carter leads 8-5

Radio: WUGO 102.3 FM

Belfry (1-0) at Lawrence County (0-1)

Traditional power Belfry travels to Class 4A Lawrence County as a heavy favorite.

The Bulldogs were their own worst enemy last week, with three first-half fumbles and a long touchdown that was called back because of a penalty.

Belfry 38, Lawrence County 7

Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.

Last week: Lawrence County lost to North Laurel 18-8; Belfry beat Holy Cross 49-14

Last year: Belfry won 51-20

Series: Belfry leads 7-4

Greenup County (0-1) at Letcher County Central (1-0)

I’m going with the upset pick in this game — Greenup County.

The Musketeers surely have a sour taste in their mouths after last week.

Greenup County 27, Letcher County Central 20

Kickoff: Tonight, 8 p.m.

Last week: Greenup County lost to Russell 49-13; Letcher County Central beat Harlan County 42-32

Last year: Letcher County Central 27-20

Series: Letcher County Central leads 1-0

Radio: WZZZ 107.5 FM

Other games:

Lewis County (0-1) at Bath County (1-0)

Bath County racked up more than 300 yards of offense against West Carter a week ago.

Lewis County managed just 123, 91 coming in an ineffective passing game.

Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Bath County beat West Carter 24-14; Lewis County lost to Fairview 27-0

Last year: Bath County won 58-14

Series: Bath County leads 21-15-1

Radio: WKKS 104.9 FM

St. Thomas More (0-0) at Johnson Central (1-0)

I don’t see the Golden Eagles losing this game.

St. Thomas More, a Canadian team, was 12-0 last year.

It will be the first ever meeting of the schools.

Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Johnson Central beat Breathitt County 26-14

West Carter (0-1) at Nicholas County (0-0)

The Comets were held to under 100 yards of offense in last week’s loss.

Nicholas County was open in Week 1.

Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: West Carter lost to Bath County 24-14

Last year: Nicholas County 24-20

Series: Nicholas County leads 8-6

Fleming County (0-1) at Rowan County (1-0)

The Vikings blasted out of the gates with 28 first-quarter points in a 55-8 romping of Morgan County last week.

It won’t be that easy against Fleming County, a 13-point loser to Harrison County last week.

Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Rowan County beat Morgan County 55-8; Fleming County lost to Harrison County 48-35

Last year: Fleming County 21-18

Series: Rowan County 26-17

ADAM VANKIRK can be reached at avankirk@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.