Sheppard, Eagles ready to launch district season

When schedules are planned several months in advance of the season, it’s hard to put together games that are challenging as well as a couple where you can pick up a win that will give a team confidence.

In the case of Eisenhower, it’s been anything but an easy non-district schedule starting out with a matchup with Lawton High which the Eagles pulled out a 35-28 win with a late score. Since then Ike has played three straight ranked teams in MacArthur, No. 5 in Class 5A, Carl Albert which is No. 1 in 5A and now Stillwater which is No. 2 in Class 6AII.

And it doesn’t get much easier down the stretch according to junior runningback/linebacker Jabari Sheppard.

“We were all surprised that we jumped to 6A but in a way that might be easier than 5A,” he said. “There are some good teams in our district with Choctaw, Piedmont and Putnam City but there are some teams I think we can compete with.”

The other teams in District 6AII-1 are Northwest Classen, Southmoore and U.S. Grant, teams that the Eagles should be competitive against down the stretch.

That’s why Sheppard and the Eagles have enjoyed a bye week where they were able to let some of the injured players heal and also work on the phases of the game that needed extra work.

“Our focus was going back to basics,” he said. “We are trying to get everyone healthy and working on things like being better tacklers and making sure we had our assignments figured out for the different schemes we run.”

This season Sheppard is Ike’s “Will” linebacker which has him moving around depending on what the offense shows.

“We have to watch a lot of film and be ready for anything,” he said. “We always are watching the guards because they will take you to the ball. In the case of Stillwater they have some good size up front and a pretty good tight end. Their back is good and their quarterback is a pretty good runner.”

When it comes to eating, Sheppard is right at home in the kitchen.

“I love to cook a steak and put it on top of fried rice,” he said. “I season my steak well and then I’m going to cook it well done; I want it cooked all the way through.”

Currently Sheppard is planning his future and getting the basics out of the way as he prepares for college and hopefully a chance to play football at the next level.

“I really like all my classes but English has been a favorite,” he said. “I love to read literature because I find it interesting. English is also important when it comes to being able to communicate; something you will use the rest of your life.”

While Sheppard is not excited about the 3-hour drive to Stillwater, he knows that the Eagles better step off the busses ready for a fight.

“We have to be more physical at the point of attack,” he said. “We have to be more consistent. Being physical is a must in these district games. We know they have some quickness but I feel we can move the ball now that all our best players are healthy.”

One thing is certain, if the Eagles could find a way to pull off the upset victory, it would sure make that 3-hour drive home much more enjoyable.