The road to the postseason began with a long bus ride to Channelview on Friday afternoon, as the Shepherd Pirates entered the UIL Bi-District round determined to make noise. Facing a highly ranked Columbia Roughnecks squad, the Pirates shocked nearly everyone in the stadium with a 24-point first half that left Columbia scrambling for answers.
Shepherd came out swinging:
It was the kind of explosive start that set the tone for a Pirates team playing with confidence, grit, and absolutely nothing to lose.
Head Coach Miles Robison praised his team’s early momentum: “Columbia had a lot more kids than us, and we played lights out the first half. But Columbia made good adjustments in the second half and were able to put fresh, bigger bodies on the line. Our kids played tough, but their size and depth eventually got the advantage.”
Columbia retooled at halftime, adding heavier defenders and tightening their scheme. The shift slowed Shepherd’s offense in the second half, and the Roughnecks managed two touchdowns in the third quarter and two more in the fourth, pulling ahead and ultimately sealing a 35-24 victory.
But for Shepherd, entering the matchup as nearly 30-point underdogs, this game told a different story. The Pirates didn’t just show up; they competed at a level that turned heads across the region.
Coach Robison emphasized just how far this program has come: “I’m very proud of our young men and coaches. Not many believed we’d have a chance to make the playoffs when we were put in this 4A district. Our kids were a few plays away from knocking off a #1 seed for the second time in the last three years.”
Despite the season ending on Friday night, the future of Pirate football burns bright. With a strong core of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors set to return, Shepherd is poised to remain a contender in one of the toughest districts in 4A.
The Pirates delivered 359 total offensive yards, including standout performances from Landen Dellinger with 16 carries, 206 yards and a TD; Jacorey Davis with 8 carries, 97 yards and 1 TD; and Brayden White with 2 receptions for 30 yards and a TD.
“I’m proud of our boys for never giving up and fighting until the last second ticked off the clock,” Robison said. “Some of our seniors have made the playoffs three out of the last four years. That’s a very special accomplishment.”
