Neighboring rivals Alma and Shepherd collide to kickoff new 2026 football season

DAVID COOK
Sports Scene
It will be a battle of neighborhood rivals when Shepherd travels to Alma to kick off the 2026 football season Thursday.
Both teams come in with healthy ambitions for the season as Alma looks to build off a 3-6 record from last year while Shepherd is on a mission to qualify for the playoffs after going 5-4 last season and just missing post-season play.
Physical football should be the theme of the night as both squads will be looking to establish an identity in week one.
“Our offensive focus will be to be physical and control the line of scrimmage,” said Shepherd coach Owen Russell. “We want to establish the line of scrimmage and create movement. We also want to stay ahead of the chains and avoid obvious passing situations and keep the entire offense available. If Alma commits additional defenders to stopping the run, we want to capitalize on the opportunities that creates.”
Alma has the type of athletes on defense that will provide a difficult week-one challenge.
The three-five Panther defense brings back four of its five starters at linebacker including returning all-conference linebackers in brothers Jake and Nick Johnston. Connor Blake and Connor Catlin also returns at linebacker while the defensive line is anchored by senior nose tackle Travis Shauver (6-0, 290) and junior defensive end Braxton Gibson (6-1, 180).
“Alma is a well-coached football team and we expect a battle,” said Russell. “For us, this game is about playing our style of football, executing our responsibilities and responding when adversity comes. We’re excited to see this group compete together for the first time.”
When Alma has the football, look for a diverse offense led by veteran junior quarterback Penn Seeley (6-1, 180) who passed for over 800 yards and ran the ball for 1,000 yards last season.
Shepherd’s defensive priority begins with controlling the line of scrimmage and containing an athletic Alma quarterback.
The Bluejays’ defensive focus is for the defensive line to build a wall inside, the outside linebackers to set the edge and all 11 defenders to swarm to the football.
A couple of players to watch for Shepherd are senior quarterback Mason Eisenberger and senior outside linebacker Wesley Cluley on defense.
Eisenberger is one of the top quarterbacks in the Mid-Michigan area. Eisenberger’s ability to manage the offense, make the correct reads and capitalize when Alma commits to stopping the run could play a major role Thursday night. The success of Shepherd’s power running game could create opportunities for Eisenberger to make the Panthers pay through the air and with his decision-making.
A two-time, team captain, Cluley provides both steady leadership and solid play on defense. When adversity arrives, the Bluejays will look toward experienced senior leaders like Cluley to help keep the team together.