With the official start of practice today, we take a look at some of the offensive players the Greene County Rams will be looking to for leadership on and off the field. First year head coach Caden Duncan inherits a team with about two-thirds of its starters back from the 2018 team that went 8-1 in the regular season, and was top 10 ranked, shared the Class 2A District 9 title, and finished 8-2 overall after a loss in the first round of the playoffs.

Offensive tackle/defensive end Tyler Miller is an Iowa State University football recruit. Listed last season at 6′ 9″, 285, Miller is the first Ram in decades to be a DI scholarship recruit before his high school career was over. He committed to ISU last November following his junior season.

Quarterback Brent Riley returns after throwing for 2,242 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior, and had just 10 interceptions in 10 games. He completed 51.9% of his passes and had a QB rating of 144.6.

The receiving corps returning is deep, led by Carter Morton, who had 36 receptions in 2018 for 800 yards (22.2 ave.) and seven touchdowns. Will Hansen, Xavier Hayes, Tyler Teeples, Nick Breon, and perhaps others, could contribute.

Colby Kafer is the clear number one running back. He ran for 776 yards and eight rushing TDs last season while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Joel Ward averaged 5.7 yards in a limited role a season ago. Ward and Nick Breon could both contribute to the ground game, according to the coach.

Branden Hoyle was the starting center last season and Cole Betts returns after starting at guard. Along with Miller, they have the most starting experience, but others played in the offensive line last season.

Kicker Cael Fisher was 38 of 43 on extra points and five or five on field goals with a long of 39 yards in 2018. The goalie on the Rams’ 2019 State qualifying soccer team, he looks to have a big senior season.

We’ll look at the defense tomorrow.