It’s Sept. 9, beginning of Week 3 for the Rams. They’re 0-2, with two disappointing losses to local foes Ross and Talawanda, by a combined total of 8 points. Skeptics begin to question whether the Badin Rams can turn the season around.

Fast forward eight weeks later. The Rams are 7-3, and heading into a home playoff game as the number 4 seed in the Division 3 Region XII playoffs.

Josh Hegemann, Badin wide receiver and defensive back, said he knew the team could make a turn around.

“I knew from the beginning of the season we had the talent and potential to be in the position we are now. It just took a game or two to find our identity and what works for the type of players we have,” Hegemann said.

And as for the criticism the faced, Hegemann said it didn’t phase the Rams.

“Instead of viewing it as criticism I viewed it as motivation and something to use as a tool to become better and finish in the position we are in now,” Heggeman said.

The Rams made some adjustments on the offensive side of the ball, which led to the team averaging over 31 points a game through the final eight games of the season.

“The first two games, our offense couldn’t generate a lot because we weren’t getting our playmakers in space and using their athletic ability to make plays. After those first two losses we completely changed the offense to spread everyone out and create one-on-one matchups, which our players will win a majority of the time,” Hegemann said.

These changes have allowed Hegemann to excel at wide receiver, with nine receiving touchdowns on the year.

“On offense, our offensive linemen have been animals up front, and with Zach Switzer at quarterback, Alex DeLong at running back, Marshall Flaig in the slot with me, and Max Lauer and Schweinefuss out wide, it spreads the field out and allows me to make plays all season long,” Hegemann said.

The defense as well, led by reigning GCL Central Defensive Player of the Year Evan Schlensker, has thrived in the final eight games, allowing on average 7.75 points per game.

“There were not many changes made defensively throughout the year, it was mainly just getting the young guys on our D-line some experience and getting them to understand their job,” Schlensker said.

With both sides of the ball firing on all cylinders, the Rams are rolling into their first round playoff game. But if the playoffs weren’t enough to get the team fired up, the Badin Rams take on rival Ross, with a chance to avenge their loss in the 20-19 OT season-opening defeat.

“It’s really easy to find motivation for this game. Two teams who don’t like each other in front of a huge crowd and it’s a playoff game, what else could you ask for,” Schlensker said.

Hegemann added, “I love it. We get a chance to get revenge for the first game they beat us in. Especially now that we get to play them again at the Schwarm it’s going to be the most anticipated football game I’ve ever played in and I expect a big crowd.”

With a potential second round matchup against another loss in Chaminade Julienne, the Rams are looking for revenge in the 2019 postseason. However, according to Hegemann, the team has only one goal in mind.

Hegemann said, “We’re here to prove everyone wrong, beginning with the last game at the Schwarm, we gotta make it count.”