2026 Football Preview: Russell Red Devils

FLATWOODS, Ky. — The Russell Red Devils lost a lot of good players from last season’s talented team. But head coach T.J. Maynard is taking the approach of looking at the glass being half-full instead of half-empty.

Russell was 10-3 last season and went 4-0 to win the district championship before losing 28-13 to Lloyd Memorial in the regional championship game. Gone is the quarterback, the top two wide receivers Jayden and Cayden Pennington, and linemen Zach Brown, Brody Smith, Tate Smith and Reagan Banks.

“Obviously, we lost a good group. We made a nice run. But replacing the quarterback for the third straight year, so that’s always a challenge,” said Maynard.

Gone is Frasure who was a 1,000-yard passer. Looking to fill that void will be junior Hunter Williams (6-0, 175) who was the backup last season.

“We’ve got to get him those live game reps,” said Maynard.

Despite the losses, Maynard said “we have some key pieces returning.”

Some of those key pieces are junior running back Kaiden Benge (6-2, 195), two-way lineman Ian “Whomp” Lother (6-3, 246), linebacker Wyatt Hudson (5-11, 195), junior tight end and linebacker Kane Jacobs (6-4, 210) and junior running back and defensive back Lane Osborne.

“We have some pieces,” said Maynard.

 “Our dilemma and condition we’re in right now is depth, especially on the offensive line,” said Maynard.

“We got a couple of guys hurt so we’re really stressing depth there. Hopefully, we’ll get those guys back mid-year, and in the meantime, those other guys are getting some valuable experience and that’ll make us better at the end.”

The lack of depth is not new to Russell, but Maynard said depth has become an issue throughout the Tri-State.

“That’s kind of a new trend in our area. Even the good teams are having problems,” said Maynard. “But we have a core group and we have a great chance to repeat as district champion, but we have a lot of work to do between now and then.”

Williams will be the trigger man with junior Griffin Fisher the backup. Benge and senior Jordan Rowe are returning starters with Osborne in the mix at the running back position. Junior Benjamin Brinkman played on defense last season but could also see time in the backfield.

Maynard said, “Our backs will probably be our biggest strengths. Freshman Payton Bailey has look pretty good.”

Lother will be at one tackle with Hudson moving from tight end to a tackle slot.

“Hudson made that move to help our football team. That’s a selfless act on his part and being his senior year,” said Maynard. “That’s something we did last year with Tate Smith and that helped us accomplish our goals.”

Replacing the Pennington twins will be Fisher, junior Shawn Deskins, and juniors Caden Hampton and Ivan McDaniels.

“Those two made a lot of big plays with their speed an elusiveness,” said Maynard. “We do feel like we have some good guys there. Deskins is a guy who can really catch the football. Griffin Fisher played defense but got hurt and we weren’t able to work him in there on offense.”

On defense has holes to fill on the line but Maynard does have veterans Lother and junior Dameon Williams.

 “We have some guys back there. Whomp is a guy coming back with experience. Dameon is a guy who played a lot for us last year. We’re looking for bigger things out of him this year,” said Maynard.

Hudson is one of the area’s top linebackers and will head up that position. Benge and Jacobs also figure to play big roles.

An area of concern is the secondary where every starter graduated.

Osborne along with Fisher, McDaniels, Williams and Deskins all figure in filling those holes.

“We have a chance to be better in terms of physicality,” said Maynard. “We’re a little bigger. The two Penningtons were really smart and understood everything. We lose maybe a little of their understanding but we gain a lot of physical tools. By mid-year they should be pretty good.”

The punter will be sophomore Sam Totten whose brother Nathan Totten transferred from Marshall to Virginia Tech. Gavin Skaggs kicked some last season and is also in the mix.

The Red Devils will be facing one of their tougher schedules this season, but Maynard welcomes the challenge.

“Obviously, you want a challenging schedule. Coal Grove’s going to be a challenge. Then you go to Greenup, West Carter, then Paintsville, Ashland’s going to be really good, and then district play,” said Maynard.

“We want a schedule to get us ready for the district. That’s the most important thing.”

Photos from 2025: