Shepherd 2022

[Ram040506]

I'd really like Shepherd to reach out to the likes of either Tiffin or Saginaw Valley to see about a home/home starting week 1 next year. They have week 1 open dates on the main page. Would be nice to play a team like Saginaw to start pushing the envelope a bit.

Or if Bowie State and Frostburg State would be ready for an annual series as well would be nice.

[Ram040506]

Well, tough finish. But another great season for Shepherd winning the Region again. That's 4 Region titles in the last 8 years. Losing some all timers from this senior class, but have a very strong nucleus coming back I think.

Offense:
Big Losses- Tyson Bagent QB, Joey Fisher OT, Brian Walker TE, Mike McCook FB, Adam Stilley C

Some big names will not be there on the roster, but the cupboard is not bare. Should be an interesting QB battle between Lek Powell, Christian Etchison and maybe Sammy Roberts, unless they decide that a transfer guy would be needed to fill that role. I'd imagine it will draw some good interest in the transfer portal considering the success of the offense in the last 10 years at the QB position. The offense though will be led by RB Ronnie Brown, who is certainly the most explosive player in the region and possibly the entire country for D2. Offensive line should have at least 3 returning starters, and a very experienced group of WR's coming back with all the injuries endured at the position this year. Coach McCook is the OL guru, so I'd expect to have some good options there and a solid group thrown together and ready for the season.

Defense:
Big Losses- Kyle Smith DE, Malik Holloway DE

Defense had tremendous improvement from 2021 this year and will return what looks to be at least 9 of 11 starters next year. The DT position could be the strongest it's been in some time with the return of Jurnee Dunbar, Matt Bednarski and Nathan Mule. Not to mention, losing presumed starter in preseason Jack Baxter to add to that rotation. The DE position is young, but there are some guys there in freshman Couser, Farmer, Bethea and Skaggs that should be able to step in and produce. The entire back 7 along with nearly all the rotation pcs come back as well. This should really be the strongest defense in the PSAC coming back.

Special Teams:
Big Losses- Zach Frye LS

Return the kicker Jacob Haynie, who finished the year strong. Needs to keep working on consistency, XP's and anything inside 40 yards need to be automatic. Punter Ryan Barrick also listed as a sophmore, should return. Should be a solid tandem. Can't be understated how good Frye was though as a LS, incredibly reliable. Those guys are hard to find. The Rams nearly lost 2 years ago to ODU in the opener because they couldn't get a clean snap to the punter or kicker.

[ShepAlum]

Ronnie Brown:
67 carries 570 yds 5 tds
9 catches 95 yds 2 tds

Tyson Bagent- 838 yds 6 tds and no ints, with a decimated wrs group from injuries

Ton of young guys have stepped up in the wr corps, mlb #49 and in other places. Great team win, and our superstars are playing like it.

It takes a team to go this deep in the playoffs. The “next man up” concept is in full swing and doing well. And it gives the fan base a reason to be excited about the future.

Watching Tyson earlier in the season I was concerned about an early post-season departure (if the Rams made the playoffs). Many of the decisions—and passes that seemed consistently off for someone who was anointed the “best player in D2 football). He seems to be hitting his stride at just the right time.

And perhaps one of the best comments I heard in the stands this season (during the New Haven game I think) … “If you want to win, let Ronnie spin!”

[Ram040506]

Ronnie Brown:
67 carries 570 yds 5 tds
9 catches 95 yds 2 tds

Tyson Bagent- 838 yds 6 tds and no ints, with a decimated wrs group from injuries

Ton of young guys have stepped up in the wr corps, mlb #49 and in other places. Great team win, and our superstars are playing like it.

[Ram040506]

5 Rams make the first team all Region team. Bagent named Offensive player of the year. Redd Dougalss from Ship gets 2nd team PSAC East returner, but all Region 1st team, go Figure.

https://shepherdrams.com/news/2022/1...-the-year.aspx

[Ram Tough]

I have a feeling 'testing the waters' is going to become the new norm for most of D2's superstars. Unfortunately for us, we're going to lose some of them.

I agree with that completely. And I don't see most of them being as picky as Bagent either.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

In today's age, it wouldn't surprise me. I can't really blame the young men for exploring their options.

I have a feeling 'testing the waters' is going to become the new norm for most of D2's superstars. Unfortunately for us, we're going to lose some of them.

[Ram Tough]

Beane got a lot of work LOL:

1999- 310 carries 1,723 yds 13 tds
1998- 363 carries 2,097 yds 19 tds
1997- 258 carries 1,590 yds 18 tds
1996- 219 carries 1,358 yds 10 tds

If Ronnie Brown stays healthy and has a decent year next year, he ends up in the top 4 for rushing career totals and has an outside shot at top 3 targeting Bill Adams. Would need another 1,600 yds rushing to get there. Top 5 rushing touchdowns is in range as well.

Another sneaky records watch is WR Ryan Beach. He's at 149 catches for a career now which as a soph would put him in the top 5 all time. Receiving yards he's top 7. Still would have 2 years left presumably.

There were some games where Monte just stopped passing the ball and kept giving it to Beane up the gut for 4-5 yards a pop.

[Ram040506]

You think Brown will test the waters like Bagent did?

I don't, but he's certainly got a very nice skill set with his receiving skills that would help a lot of teams.

[Ram Tough]

You think Brown will test the waters like Bagent did?

In today's age, it wouldn't surprise me. I can't really blame the young men for exploring their options.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Beane got a lot of work LOL:

1999- 310 carries 1,723 yds 13 tds
1998- 363 carries 2,097 yds 19 tds
1997- 258 carries 1,590 yds 18 tds
1996- 219 carries 1,358 yds 10 tds

If Ronnie Brown stays healthy and has a decent year next year, he ends up in the top 4 for rushing career totals and has an outside shot at top 3 targeting Bill Adams. Would need another 1,600 yds rushing to get there. Top 5 rushing touchdowns is in range as well.

Another sneaky records watch is WR Ryan Beach. He's at 149 catches for a career now which as a soph would put him in the top 5 all time. Receiving yards he's top 7. Still would have 2 years left presumably.

You think Brown will test the waters like Bagent did?

[Ram040506]

I tell you. Go back and look at Beane's carries. He ran it so much that he had to be worn out by season's end.

Beane got a lot of work LOL:

1999- 310 carries 1,723 yds 13 tds
1998- 363 carries 2,097 yds 19 tds
1997- 258 carries 1,590 yds 18 tds
1996- 219 carries 1,358 yds 10 tds

If Ronnie Brown stays healthy and has a decent year next year, he ends up in the top 4 for rushing career totals and has an outside shot at top 3 targeting Bill Adams. Would need another 1,600 yds rushing to get there. Top 5 rushing touchdowns is in range as well.

Another sneaky records watch is WR Ryan Beach. He's at 149 catches for a career now which as a soph would put him in the top 5 all time. Receiving yards he's top 7. Still would have 2 years left presumably.

[Ram Tough]

Along with a completely different offensive philosophy compared to the early 2000's when the ratio was 60-70% run the ball. Ronnie Brown is averaging nearly 9 yds a touch and hasn't even carried it 180 times yet this year.

I tell you. Go back and look at Beane's carries. He ran it so much that he had to be worn out by season's end.

[Ram040506]

Hlavach was going to have a great career. I actually was talking about him last week, and I also hope he's well. I don't necessarily think he would have set rushing records at Shepherd, though. Damian Beane's and Dervon Wallace's team records are fairly lofty.

Along with a completely different offensive philosophy compared to the early 2000's when the ratio was 60-70% run the ball. Ronnie Brown is averaging nearly 9 yds a touch and hasn't even carried it 180 times yet this year.

[Ram040506]

So no WR Marlon Cook last week. All PSAC LB Dwayne Grantham seemed to injure his hand and missed the whole 2nd half. Ronnie Brown seems to be it at RB, is #8 Hartman hurt?

IUP has Duane Brown (should be closer to 100% now with knocking some rust off) back, RB Stewart didn't play and sounds like he isn't ready yet.

Really testing some depth now as a lot of freshman are playing for the Rams now.

Since the PSAC championship game, I've really liked how the offense has achieved some balance and fed Ronnie Brown the ball. He's getting the needed 20-25 touches per game in these big games and it's been the difference for sure (41 carries, 433 yds and 4 td's along with 7 catches for 71 yds and another TD). The offensive line really gave it to a very heralded and talented SRU front who was towards the top of every defensive category. They were a league leader in sacks and didn't get to Bagent once. It was a nice dominant and efficient performance for the offense and we are definitely going to need that same formula of balance to beat IUP this week.

Also, give a big shout out to kicker Jacob Haynie as he was 3-3 for field goals and 4-4 on PAT's. Big day for him and Rams needed it! His squib kickoffs gave a little trouble to SRU returners as well.

Hopefully, we can get Cook healed up and Grantham is able to give it a go this week. Need all hands on deck to win another Regional Championship this week!