The defending State B football champion Loyola Rams are off to a winning start to the season once again at 2-0, but coaches and players say they need to be better to achieve last year's success.
"So far we have played three good quarters of football, out of eight, so we have a ways to go before I am happy with where we are at," said Loyola Head Coach Dan Weber.
"We have started a little slower this year and that just takes time to learn it and the more we do it the better we will get at it," said Senior Zach Hollenback.
Last year the Rams slung the ball all over the field with quarterback Bo Hughes and receiver Josh Janssen leading the way. But the offense has taken a different style so far this season.
"With last years team we were a real quick scoring offense and this year it's going to be more slugging it out in the trenches but I believe we have the line to do that this year, and I know we have the running backs to do that and Matt McHugh is progressing as a quarterback as the season goes along," said Weber.
After wins over Manhattan and Jefferson the Rams go to Ronan to play a familiar Chiefs team.
"This is really the start of the season everyone is 0-0 and we really have to come out strong and make a statement," said Hollenback.
While the passing game continues to grow coach Weber knows he can rely on his defense as they start conference play.
"They have done a great job I couldn't ask for anything more from our teams on defense, in our first two ball games they literally had two goal line stands that preserved the wins for us," said Weber.
The Rams will play only their third game of the season Friday as you might remember their first game against Fairfield was canceled because of the weather.
