SHEPHERD — The excitement surrounding a new football season was on full display Friday evening as Pirate Nation gathered to “Meet the Pirates,” giving fans their first official look at the 2026 Shepherd football teams.
Pirate Football is back, and Pirate Nation is ready.
A nice crowd filled the stands as the Shepherd junior varsity and varsity players were welcomed into a new year of Pirate football. The evening offered fans an opportunity to see the athletes who will carry the Royal Blue and White onto the field this season, and there was plenty of anticipation surrounding what this new-look team can accomplish.
The Pirates enter the season with several changes, including a new face taking over at quarterback. Kyler Syracuse is expected to lead the Pirate offense as Shepherd begins the 2026 campaign with renewed energy and a new look.
Last season, the Pirates showed they could get off to a fast start, stringing together five consecutive victories early in the year. Now, Shepherd will look to build on that success while continuing to develop a team that features new players, new positions and a new offensive approach.
The Pirates open the season on Aug. 27 at Huffman-Hargrave before returning to San Jacinto County for the always-heated rivalry against Tarkington on Sept. 4. Then comes one of the most anticipated nights on the schedule, the Battle of San Jacinto County, when Shepherd travels to Coldspring on Sept. 11.
The remainder of the schedule will include Madisonville, Hardin-Jefferson, Jasper, West Orange-Stark, Huffman-Hargrave and a season-ending home matchup against Silsbee.
For Pirate Nation, the countdown is nearly over. The players have put in the summer work, the coaches have been preparing the new system, and Friday night gave the community its first glimpse of the Pirates who will take the field.
Now, it's time to turn the lights on, buckle the chin straps and let the 2026 season begin.
