SHEPHERD — On a warm Saturday morning in Shepherd, the Pirates took to the field for their annual intersquad football scrimmage — and the excitement for the 2025 season was impossible to miss.
Tight End Brayden White summed up the team’s mindset perfectly: “I have never been more ready to start a football season. We have several new guys filling key spots, and they’re doing really well.”
Quarterback Landen Dellinger echoed the optimism, saying, “We’ve had a great week of practice and we’re looking sharp. We worked hard all summer, and now it’s time to put things in motion.”
The purpose of this early-season showdown is to fine-tune the playbook, strengthen communication, and iron out any problem areas before the first real test. Head Coach Miles Robison was encouraged by what he saw: “I’m excited about the week we had overall. Today was a great opportunity to evaluate our guys in a more physical setting than we’ve had so far. We saw some really good things, and a few areas we need to improve. It’s still early, but if we keep grinding like this, it’s going to be a great year for the Pirates.”
Shepherd will need every bit of that grit and preparation, as this year’s district lineup is among the toughest in the region. The Pirates will have to compete at a higher level week after week to stay in the playoff hunt.
For Robison, one goal stands above the rest: keep the team healthy. If the Pirates can stay off the injury list, their depth, speed, and summer work ethic could carry them deep into the season.
From the way they looked on Saturday, this is a team ready to raise its flag high and take on any challenger in its path.
