Shamrock 2022 Football Season Preview

The Portland St. Patrick Football team is excited about their prospects for the 2022 season. After finishing the regular season 9-0 last year, they fell in the first round of playoffs to State Finalist Colon. Coach Pat Russman is looking to improve on last season, with the help of the teams only senior, his son Payton Russman.

The Shamrocks are moving to a new league this year, the Central Michigan 8-man Football league. This league is full, at 10 teams. Seven of the ten teams are significantly bigger in terms of enrollment, with Division I teams Blanchard Montabella at 203, Coleman at 196, Merrill at 189, Breckenridge at 176, Vestaburg at 171, Webberville at 159, and Fulton at 158 students. Only three Division II teams are in the league, with Morrice at 148, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart at 110, and Portland St. at 80 students. Despite this, the Shamrocks are expected to compete for the upper tier in the league.

"We are looking forward to the season. The team is growing in faith and skill. Our opening opponent is Vestaburg, which has developed a good program and should provide us with a good test for our first game." Coach Russman said. The Shamrocks have 22 players, which is more than they have had in about 10 years. Unfortunately, that only includes one senior, Payton Russman (NG/RB) but the program has a solid Junior class to give them a competitive core of upperclassmen. Juniors Tyler Groothuis (DE/TE), Riley Mosser (LB/TE), Devin Cook (LB/OL), Shawn Frawley (DE/OL), Daniel Huggler Jr. (NG/OL) and Lucas Simon (CB/RB) all return as significant contributors from last years team. Sophomores Joel Enz (NG/OL), Grant Pline (NG/OL), Gabe Wernet (CB/SE), Simon White (LB/RB), Brayden Simon (LB/QB), and Landon Simpson (CB/SE) have all made great gains in the weight room, and all can play at a varsity level. A very good group of freshmen add 9 players to this, with Charlie Thelen (DE/TE), Brady Leonard (CB/QB), Aiden Mosser (DE/TE), Hudson King (CB/SE), Brody Beckhold (NG/OL), Logan Kreiger (NG/OL), Augustus Teachworth (LB/TE), Gavin Groothuuis (LB/TE), and Brayden Bozung (DE/TE). The Freshmen class is very athletic, and they are expected to contribute this year.

Defensive Coordinator Aaron Thelen thinks the defense will be pretty tough. "The defense looks stout this year, due to me implementing a new play sign in system that includes really awesome neon yellow gloves!".

He also went on to say, "I am really looking forward to getting out on the field and seeing what this group of talented young men can do. Replacing our seniors from last season is a tall order, but this years team is ready for the challenge. The men put in a ton of hard work this summer, and I think it is going to pay off for them."

The Shamrock 2022 schedule is currently.

Friday 8/26/22 Vestaburg Home 7:00 Thursday 9/01/22 Coleman Away 7:00 Friday 9/09/22 Webberville Away 7:00 Friday 9/16/22 Breckenridge Home 7:00 Saturday 9/24/22 Merrill Home 7:00 *Homecoming Friday 9/30/22 Montabella Away 7:00 Saturday 10/08/22 Fulton Away 7:00 Friday 10/14/22 Morrice Home 7:00 Saturday 10/22/22 Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Away 7:00