Shepard coach John Rone knows what his seniors have been through.
That makes where they are – heading to the IHSA Class 6A playoffs – that much sweeter.
The Astros finished 7-2 in the regular season and second in the South Suburban Red behind Richards at 5-1 after beating Eisenhower 31-6 on the road on Oct. 25.
The Astros will play at downstate Washington in the first round this weekend.
It will be Shepard’s first appearance in the state playoffs since 2021 and fourth under Rone, who also guided his team to the postseason in 2018 and 2019.
“I’m very happy, but I think proud is a better word,” Rone said. “Our seniors have endured a lot. To see them hang in there and trust in what we’re trying to do and to see them get their payoff is a beautiful thing.”
Two of the players who stood out for the Astros were seniors Anthony Loughran and Cameron Tryon. Loughran (16 carries, 72 yards) scored on 2-yard run while Tryon caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Noah Vaughn (7-of-13 passing, 153 yards).
Loughran also had one reception for 52 yards while Antonio McCarroll had one catch for 44 yards.
Defensively, Loughran added a 33-yard interception return for a TD along with a pass breakup while playing free safety. Playing cornerback, Tryon had his third interception of the season and recovered a fumble forced by teammate Zion Coles.
Also contributing defemsively for Shepard – which has allowed just 11 points per game this season – was junior strong safety Krystian Koscak, who picked off his fourth pass of the year.
The Cardinals (4-5, 3-3) finished with just 48 yards passing and 55 yards rushing.
“Our kids play our brand of ball,” Rone said. “It’s an aggressive style of football. Loughran and Tryon led us and they’re both three-year starters.
“They understand our schemes. They’re very talented and they put in the work in the offseason. Their level of hunger and confidence this year has been astronomical.”
Tashawn Bouie scored on a 21-yard TD strike from Vaughn, who also scored a TD of his own on a 35-yard run. Vaughn carried 10 times for 71 yards for Shepard, which led 13-0 at halftime.
“Eisenhower is a quality team,” Rone said. “You always want to beat your sister school. We knew it wouldn’t be easy. It was tight in the first half and we pulled away in the second half.”