Editors note: This is the second in a series highlighting the fall schedules of public school football teams in Perry and Dallas County.

Coming two points shy of their first playoff berth in 10 years, the players of Francis Marion felt understandably disappointed.

This year, with just four home games, the Rams will have a to make it to the playoffs on the road.

A last minute change took away some of the firepower from Francis Marion’s schedule but allows the Rams a chance to start off the season with confidence against Akron Community School.

“We were scheduled to play Sumter County,” Rams head coach Javaris Jackson said.

“When they shut down and moved in with Livingston, they adopted Livingston’s schedule so we had to find a replacement.”

Jackson said while he likes to start the season with a challenge from a higher ranked school, the switch was based on what he could find less than what he wanted.

“It will give us a chance to see where we are,” Jackson said. “Akron almost shut down too, so we were lucky to get them on the schedule.

Even though the Rams will be on the road a majority of the year, the schedule is one that can get them over the hurdle and into the playoffs.

The combined schedule’s record of 43-63 is just a 40.5 winning percentage for the teams the Rams play.

Three of their four home games are region matchups against Central-Hayneville, rival R.C. Hatch and Thorsby High, who had a combined record of 10-20 last year.

The road games include 2A semifinalist and region favorite American Christian Academy and Vincent High School, who had the two-point victory.

“That’s a game that I feel like we will go in with a lot of motivation to win,” Jackson said.

“They are the team that kept us out of the playoffs, so of course you are going to have that revenge mentality going into the game.”

All and all, if the experienced Rams, who return the entire offense, minus receivers, can stay focused, this could finally be the year Francis Marion breaks through again.