Shepherd High School Football Season Preview

Shepherd Football heads into 2025 with one word on its mind: Culture. With the majority of last year’s roster returning and a strong senior class leading the charge, the Bluejays are on a mission to turn experience into results this fall. Offseason Focus Coach Angell and his staff made culture the cornerstone of the offseason. From weight room discipline to a 21-member Leadership Council, the focus has been on: Building accountability Enhancing strengths Fixing last season’s weak spots Creating a program-wide hunger for success Special Offseason Events While the team did not participate in camps or tournaments this offseason, the work has been relentless in-house, both physically and mentally. Roster Outlook Only three seniors graduated last season, giving Shepherd a deep and experienced core heading into 2025. The senior class is expected to take ownership on and off the field, stepping fully into leadership roles. Players to Watch This team is stacked with veteran talent and rising contributors: Senior Standouts: Sam King – Returning MLB/TE, 2x honorable mention all-conference Braddock Payne – 2nd-team all-conference OL, elite long snapper, expected to contribute on all three phases Bryce Smith – All-conference DB, critical on both sides of the ball Ty Burns – Returning all-conference RB Kris Gall – All-conference OL, will also play DL Breakout Candidates: Mason Eisenberger (QB) Nick Terwilliger (OL/DL) Brady Robinson (WR/DB) Jayce Dearing (DE/TE) Noah Clevenger (WR/DB) Wes Cluley (LB/RB) Easton VanAlstine (LB/RB) Noah Judge (OL) Ty Hartupee (DB) Tristin Fisher (WR/DB) Weight Room & Leadership Development Shepherd is fortunate to have a full-time strength coach, and it's paying off. Athletic testing numbers are improving, and the team is seeing big gains in both strength and speed. The Leadership Council, made up of 21 players from all grades, meets regularly to foster accountability and leadership development, laying the foundation for a strong team culture. Community & Fan Engagement The Bluejays have made a conscious effort to stay visible in the community through: Fundraisers Presence at school events Consistent outreach to build excitement The connection between team and town is growing stronger. Biggest Challenges Ahead The challenge for 2025 is straightforward: No excuses — with experience and leadership, the team must now execute Conference competition — 4 of 5 league opponents were playoff teams in 2024 Closing the gap — urgency and daily desperation to compete for a league title Coach Angell knows the path won’t be easy, but the tools are there. The mindset is shifting. The Bluejays are ready to break through.