MICDS Football Rams Open Up with Maplewood. Blue Devils Reached the Dome Last year

To the man, the MICDS Rams figure they'll be a lot better than the 5-5 edition a year ago. They aren't talking about it, but revenge weighs on their minds. They got spanked by Ladue 49-14. John Burroughs, their arch rivals shut them out 21-0. Maplewood pounced on them in the opener, 26-16.

"We'd like to get back at all those teams," said three-year starting QB Thomas Militello. Militello, who has Vanderbilt, Illinois and Boston College on the verge of making offers has his sights set on a higher finish.

Last year, Militello was a 58.52 percent passes, hitting on 1,940 yards and 15 TDs. He engineered a big upset of Burroughs his sophomore season.

The fullback/linebacker is Michael Scherer, all 6-foot-4, 235 pounds who swore his allegiance already to the Missouri Tigers. His mind is focused on Rams football.

He figures he will be in on about every play from scrimmage this year. He rushed for 919 yards and 12 TDs one year ago, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He led the team on defense with 54 tackles and 14 assists. He predicts the Rams will be deep in the backfield, naming Denzell Conway and A.J. Washington as tailbacks.

Conway rushed for 333 yards and 4 TDs last season.

Washington saw brief duty, rushing a year ago for 120 yards and an average of 5.7 yards per carry.

The Rams need to replace talented Carson Pryor, gone to graduation. He handled the field goal kicking duties last year.

Coach Josh Smith is ready to tee it up. "We are always looking for more good linemen, but we return four starters on offense. We'll be good," he predicts. He'd like to put training camp behind him, and get the season going.

A year ago, the Rams ganged up on the weaker teams, beating Lutheran South 55-28, University City 54-26 and Principia 49-13.

MICDS 2011 Schedule

Friday, August 26, at Maplewood, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2 at Lutheran South, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 10 at John Burroughs, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17 vs Jeff City Helias, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24, at Principia, 1 p.m.

Saturday, October 1, vs Priory, 2 p.m.

Thursday, October 6, vs Lutheran No. (at SLUH), 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 15, vs Ladue, 1 p.m.

Saturday, October 22, at University City, 2 p.m.

Thursday, October 27 at Clayton, 7 p.m.