With conference play looming, Mount Vernon Township High School’s Rams are looking to improve after a slower start than last fall. The team faces several strong programs in the coming weeks.

          Head coach Jeremiah Fitzjerells said two opponents stand out.

          “It would definitely either be Highland or Carbondale,” Fitzjerells said. “Usually Carbondale’s expectation is to win conference and regionals… Highlands are also just a good team because they have a lot of club players.”

          Fitzjerrels noted that the team began the year differently than last season.

          “We had a worse start than we did last year,” Fitzjerrels said. “But we have a lot more potential than we did last year. This last game, Salem, we kind of showed a lot of potential.”

          Fitzjerrels also pointed to player availability as a factor.

          Some newcomers logged more summer practice, while certain returners balanced jobs and needed time to regain form.

          “The new players were showing up more consistently through the summer… whereas we had several other guys who had jobs,” Fitzjerrels said. “It’s just taking [some] a little more time to get in season and ready.”

                   Team captain Keatan Koch, ’27, observed both progress and areas for improvement.

          “We’ve improved at seeing the field and communicating,” Koch said. “But we need to be more physical on the ball and more aggressive when we don’t have it.”

          When asked about competition, Koch named another program as a rival.

          “Waterloo,” Koch said. “They’re physical, they’re aggressive, they move the ball well, and they function as a team.”

​​          He also described what could help the Rams improve.

          “We can’t play the sport by ourselves,” he said. “When we get fluent with our teammates and into a flow… we’ll be a great team. I think it will happen before the end of the season.”

          Injuries have also played a role.

          “Injuries for sure,” Koch said. “We’ve had key guys banged up… little things like that.”

          Fitzjerrels added that maintaining focus and effort will be important throughout the schedule.

          “Some days you lift them up; other days you have to squeeze them,” he said. “Formations help—but it depends on whoever wants it more.”

          Players recognize their potential as a team.

          “This season, we play a lot better as a team,” said Alistar Clodi, ’26. “We complement each other’s strengths. The future is very bright.”