2026 Shamrock Football Preview

After a record-breaking 13-0 season, the Portland St. Patrick Shamrocks are coming into the 2026 season with plenty of expectations and a few question marks. The 2025 season saw a dominant performance from the Shamrocks, who had nine very gifted seniors leading the team. After the season, the coaches got together to discuss the prospects for the 2026 season and felt there was a strong chance of another great year.

The 2026 season looks to be very competitive, with both starting defensive backs returning. Seniors Jerryd Scheurer and Mason Simon led a defense that recorded 22 interceptions last year. The only other returning starter is Ben White, a DE/LB who was also an elite-level player.

On offense, the returning starters include FB Caleb Pline, who led a stellar rushing attack and looks to have an exceptional senior year. Jerryd Scheurer also returns at quarterback after an excellent junior season. He will be asked to play a bigger role in the offensive scheme this year. TE Tyler Thelen returns as well. After being depended on primarily as a run blocker last year, he will be asked to become more of a receiving threat this season.

Other big senior contributors returning this year include Ben White, who will also see time on the offensive side of the ball, and Isaiah Rockey, who will contribute on both sides of the ball as a talented linebacker and offensive lineman. Mason Simon will be asked to become a feature back on offense this year as well. Chase Bengal will play DE and TE/SE this season. James Miller returns as another LB/NG on defense while also contributing as an offensive lineman. Aiden Fandel returns as a DB/RB and return specialist, while Kaedan Brown brings speed and strength to the NG/RB positions.

Newcomers to the senior class are numerous, with Logan Howe returning to football at DB/RB, Tyler Schneider at DL/OL, Sean Fedewa at DE/TE, and Sam Mustapha at DB/LB/RB, all looking to make an impact.

This incredibly deep and talented senior class will be joined by a strong junior class as well. DB/RB Emmett Fandel brings speed and explosiveness to both sides of the ball. Darren Hengesbach brings size to both lines, while Theodore Brown adds speed and height to the backfield, along with a good nose for the ball. Payton Schafer is returning after missing his sophomore season with an injury and brings a great deal of athleticism to the team. Maximus Schellberg is also returning and should contribute on both the offensive and defensive lines. Charlie Bozung is looking to contribute at the DL/OL positions, while Shane Smith is a tall, gifted athlete who will contribute as a DE/TE. Ivan Chen also worked hard in the offseason and looks to contribute to a strong OL/DL unit.

Hopes for the season are high.

Head Coach Pat Russman had this to say:

“We are looking forward to playing faster each week. We appreciate the support of our parish and families, and the sacrifice they all make to come to a Catholic school.”

Defensive Coordinator Aaron Thelen had a little more to say about the upcoming season:

“Our bar was set pretty high last year, and we succeeded in our goals. This year, we are setting the bar even higher and hoping to become an even better defensive unit. Even though we lost a bunch of talented athletes last year, we have a fantastic group of young men coming to take their place and show the state what they're made of.”

The Shamrocks struggled to fill their schedule this year, even having to travel all the way to Indian River to play an Upper Peninsula team, Pickford, in Week 6. Those scheduling struggles continue, with a forfeit being announced for their Week 1 game against Tri-Unity Christian. The Shamrocks are hoping to fill their Week 1 game, but options are limited.

St. Patrick Varsity Football 2026

Day                Date               Opponent                                 Location                Time

Thursday        8/27/26           Wyoming Tr-Unity                     HOME                 7:00

Friday             9/04/26           Montabella                               AWAY                   7:00

Saturday         9/12/26           Morrice                                    HOME                  7:00

Thursday        9/17/26           Breckenridge                            AWAY                   7:00

Friday             9/25/26           Flint Cultural Academy             HOME                  7:00*

Friday             10/02/26         Pickford                                    Indian Lakes         7:00

Saturday         10/10/26          Fulton                                       AWAY                  7:00

Friday             10/16/26          St. Charles                                HOME                 7:00

Friday             10/23/25          Dansville                                   AWAY                   7:00

*Homecoming