DAVID COOK
Sports Scene
After opening the season with a 20-6 win against rival Alma, the Shepherd Bluejays look to double their win total when they host Ortonville-Brandon in a non-league game Thursday evening.
Both teams come into the game with unbeaten records as Brandon opened the season with a 62-25 win against Fraser.
Ball control and defense were key in Shepherd’s 20-6 win over Alma. Defense and controlling the clock will also be a key against the high-scoring Brandon squad.
“I really liked the ball control for the Alma game and ow the offensive and defensive lines really controlled the line of scrimmage,” said Shepherd coach Owen Russell. “We set the tone early with our big guys up front on both sides of the ball. Every player had an impact on the game’s outcome. Against Ortonville, they have some big players up front on both sides of the ball, so we have to control the line of scrimmage and time of possession again in this matchup. Control of the clock are key in games like this.”
The Shepherd ground game was operating at high efficiency against Alma as the Bluejays rolled up 224 rushing yards.
Offensive keys for Shepherd against Brandon will be to establish physicality at the line of scrimmage, create manageable down-and-distance situation and keep the entire offense available as well as finish scoring opportunities and protect the football.
The Shepherd defense will be put to the test against a high-powered Brandon offense that put up 62 points.
The keys for the Bluejays on defense will be to build a wall on defense, set the edge and swarm to the football.
“Brandon’s offensive line has some size and they are physical,” said Shepherd defensive coordinator Brent Curtiss. “Like every week, we need to win the line of scrimmage and stop the run game. We will look to make them one dimensional.”
A key player to watch for Shepherd is senior outside linebacker Charlie Robinson. Robinson’s ability to recognize screens, maintain outside leverage, close quickly and tackle in space will be important to Shepherd’s game plan. Robinson will play a key role in slowing Brandon’s short passing game and particularly screens and quick throws designed to get the football into space.
A tight end on offense, Robinson will also have a key role to play on that side of the football where his blocking at the point of attack is part of Shepherd’s effort to establish the power running game.
Senior defensive back Noah Clevenger will be another key player for the Bluejays defense in the game with Brandon. One of Shepherd’s primary objectives is eliminating explosive plays and Clevenger will be part of a secondary responsible for keeping the football in front of them, communicating against formations and preventing Brandon from turning completions into big gains.
Clevenger is also a key to the offense from his wide receiver spot where he gives Shepherd another opportunity to create plays when defenses commit additional players to stopping the power running game.
Shepherd wants to establish the line of scrimmage, run the football, control time of possession and make the game physical.
Brandon demonstrated in Week 1 that it can put points on the scoreboard quickly.
Thursday night may come down to which team can force the other to play its style of football or who limits mistakes.
Senior captains Noah Clevenger, Nicholas Terwilliger, Wesley Cluley and Easton Vanalstine lead the Bluejays onto their home field with an opportunity to move to 2–0.
Standing across from them will be another undefeated football team looking to do exactly the same.
Shepherd looks to go 2-0 as it takes on Ortonville-Brandon in week 2
