When the Iowa High School Athletic Association released 2018 and ’19 football schedules last week, the Greene County Rams saw a schedule with a combined opponents’ winning percentage in 2017 of 45 percent. Compare that to the 63% opponents’ winning percentage schedule the Rams played last fall that included four playoff teams, and it’s understandable the Rams feel they have a good chance to improve on the 1-8 records of each of the past two seasons.

Head Coach Mitch Moore agrees that on paper, the schedule appears more manageable, but he cautions the games aren’t won on paper, and it’s hard work in the off-season, and on the field, that will improve the win/loss record. “There’s no doubt about it. That’s what I’ve been preaching to these kids every single day, every time I see them. We’ve got to win our battle internally and we’ve got to worry about us, and get better every single day. Then, the rest of it will take care of itself. There’s no doubt that’s the challenge with high school kids. Every day’s a new day, and every day we’ve got to win the day!”

The coach added that after one full year he’s seen a change in culture, and a change in attitude and structure in the athletes. “The structure of their bodies is different. We’re going to bring a lot of guys back that played a lot of minutes last year, so we’re excited about it, we really are!”

The Rams start the 2018 season on Friday, Aug. 24 at Dewey Field in Perry vs. the Blue Jays in non-district action. The other non-district games are against Nevada at home, and Saydel (Des Moines), and Gilbert on the road. The Class 2A District schedule begins with a home game vs. Shenandoah, followed by a trip to Carroll to face Kuemper Catholic, then home with Atlantic, at Red Oak, and home vs. OA-BCIG (Ida Grove).