Jeff Watson

jwatson@thecherawchronicle.com

CHESTERFIED–––The defending Class A Division I state champion Chesterfield Rams have looked impressive thus far. Handily defeating their opponents during the preseason, the Rams look to be in good position to defend their title.

The Rams first regular season game against Fort Mill proved that the Rams are a serious threat to repeat.

The Rams defeated Fort Mill 42-0 to earn their first win of the season.

“I thought we played well,” said Rams head coach Steve Taneyhill. “Obviously the defense played well. Anytime you shut a team out, it’s good for a defense.”

The Rams defense held the Fort Mill offense to 81 yards of total offense. Last season, the Rams defense allowed less than nine points per game. If the defense continues to perform as it did against Fort Mill, this season could have similar results.

Taneyhill says that although he’s happy with the win, there is always room for improvement.

 He says that the team has to take advantage of opportunities when they are presented to them.

“We didn’t cause enough turnovers,” Taneyhill said. “We dropped an interception and there was a fumble that we had a chance at that we didn’t get. When those things happen you have to be there to make the plays. “

Offensively, Taneyhill says that he hopes to continue to see more consistency. Special teams also played a big part in the Rams victory. A kickoff was returned after the Rams defense got a safety.

“I’m pretty pleased with our performance after the first regular season game,” Taneyhill said. “There are some things to work on but we are pleased.”

Going against tough 3A and 4A schools in the preseason is one of the things that Taneyhill says prepared his team for this season.

Taneyhill says that the team doesn’t focus on the classification of the teams they play, they just focus on one game at a time and the opponent.

The Rams be on the road this evening to take on Lakewood. The game has been moved up one day due to the storms projected to hit the area.

Lakewood runs the Wing-T offense, an offense that presents problems to many defenses.

“We have to do a good job of reading our keys and staying home and doing the little things,” Taneyhill said. “They’re a senior oriented club. Seeing these guys on film, they looked well coached and we have to be ready to play.”