The football season is halfway over. Shepherd University is boasting a top 25, NCAA Division II football team that has yet to lose thus far this campaign. They faced what was expected to be their toughest competition this past Saturday for homecoming; they sent Charleston back to the capitol of Mountain State with their tails between their legs. Saturday’s performance may have very well sent a message to the rest of the Mountain East Conference.
Naturally, as a fan, you immediately look to the schedule and start wondering if an undefeated season is possible. The Rams have faced and dispatched fairly tough opponents this season in Shippensburg in impressive fashion, Urbana in the vain that inspires confidence going forward, and a thumping victory over the aforementioned Golden Eagles of Charleston. Halfway through the season, the Rams look solid.
However, over the long haul of a football season, things do happen. Players get hurt, players get suspended and the weather intervenes in ways no one thought it would. The Rams haven’t had to deal with any severe injuries thus far, but that isn’t to say they won’t happen. Should the injury bug stay away from the Rams this season, perfection during the regular season is definitely possible.
No one should ever look past an opponent. That is one of the main ways teams lose to teams they should beat. This week, the Rams travel down Wise, Va. to take on the Highland Cavaliers of the University of Virginia College at Wise. To put it lightly, the Rams could probably look past the Highland Cavaliers and win by 30. It should not be much of a game.
The next week could be a major bump in the road. Notre Dame of Ohio boasts a solid program that runs the ball efficiently. To put it lightly, the game being played in Shepherdstown on Oct. 19 could be a war of attrition. That match up could go a very long way in determining who wins the inaugural edition of the Mountain East Conference.
Glenville won’t be easy for the Rams, nor will West Virginia State. However, the real humdinger of the campaign could be the final game of the season. The Rams will travel way down Interstate 81 to Athens, W.Va. to take on the Mountain Lions of Concord University. Two years ago, the undefeated and highly ranked Rams went into Athens and left empty-handed. It was a major upset that left the Rams reeling, manifesting itself into a loss the following week to West Virginia Wesleyan as well.
No player is perfect. However, a team can be perfect. If the Rams are able to pound the rock with Allen Cross and Jabre Lolley as well as they have been and allow junior quarterback Trae Tinsman to manage the game in the manner he has, an undefeated season seems very possible for the 2013 Rams. This team has managed to find that elusive thing called consistency. All they can do now is keep it rolling into the Division II playoffs. If they do, Shepherdstown will surely be hosting at least one playoff game. That would definitely excite the campus to say the least.
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