When the Iowa High School Athletic Association released its football schedules for 2016 last Winter, the Greene County Rams knew the schedule they would face would be a challenge. That certainly was the case last Friday night when Class 2A Kuemper Catholic was a 34-0 season opening non-district winner over the Rams at Carroll Athletic Field. The Rams stay on the road for another non-district contest this Friday when they play the Harlan Cyclones at Merrill Field on KG98 and www.raccoonvalleyradio.com. No Iowa high school football program has more state championships to their name than Harlan, but the Cyclones lost 45-7 to Class 4A Lewis Central in Council Bluffs in their opener. Harlan was ranked third in 3A in the preseason.

Following the Harlan game, the Rams host top 10 rated Dallas Center-Grimes on Sept. 9, then are back on the road Sept. 16 at top 10 ranked Webster City. Only Boone and Greene County lost their season opening games as Class 3A District 2 went 6-2 on opening night.