August 20, 2025 • 19 mins
Shelby Football Coach, Rob Mahaney, sat down with Aaron Hines to chat and preview the Whippets for 2025. Rob is heading into his 7th year as coach, and there is a lot of excitement in Shelby this fall. Shelby, who has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, opens the season on Friday, August 22nd at Madison. You can hear that game "live" on WMAN and the iHeart Radio app.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And seventh year head coach Rob Mahaney. Rob, first of all,
I told you, great to hear your voice. Football is back.
But let's begin here. Hard to believe your seventh year
as head coach in Shelby.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Yeah, you know, it's kind of crazy that, you know,
you know, you realize that, but to hear it out
loud sometimes it's like, oh man, you know it's a
crazy thing, but you know, it's great to hear your voice, Aaron.
Kind of the same thing like you know when you
hear Aaron Hines. You know, football is right here and
we're excited for that. And you know, again to go
back seven. I mean it's been seven, you know, awesome
years so far, and just thankful for the opportunity that
(00:32):
was given. And you know, when I started, our oldest
daughter was one years old, kind of you know, doing
her thing at the games. And now she's in first
grade and we have two other ones. So it's been
time flies, but it moves slow at the same time,
you know. So it's just a crazy thing. But excited
to be here and excited to get started.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Teach your coach, three kids, family, busy, mahoney, household right.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Oh, you're not wrong about that. Yeah, but it's good.
It's a great busy.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
It's great to hear Rob. You know, Rob, Well, let's
start here. I want to talk about this year's team.
But this is your seventh year. In six years, you
guys have had you know, multiple league titles, deep playoff runs. Boy,
you have to be proud of what this program's done,
you know, in your six years.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, you know, and it's just've been very lucky to
have you know, awesome kids and a great coaching staff,
and yeah, the community that supports it. You know. I
think when you come to Shelby as a you know,
as an outsider coming here into this community, there's some
pressure in the tradition, all those kind of things, and
you know, but I think at the end of the day,
the wins are awesome, the championships are awesome. But I
(01:33):
think we've done a great job of helping young men
grow into be young adults and be ready to tackle
whatever's next in their career. And you know, that's the
thing we want to be most proud about, is, you know,
those guys and the growth that they show. You know,
when we get a fourteen year old freshman and by
the time they leave as an eighteen year old senior.
We want to make sure that they're going to be
ready for what life throws at them, and I think
football is a great way to teach that, and that's
(01:55):
what we want to do. But like you said, we've
been very fortunate to have some really great football teams
have done some really good things, and proud of those kids,
and proud of our coaching staff that we've had throughout
the last six years.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Shelby head coach Rob Mahine's with us to play Madison
Sinnati in the season opener. Let's talk about you guys,
twelve and one a year ago. I know, heartbreaker in
a regional semi final, but you bring back a lot
from a year ago. A boy, you know, just you know,
seeing you guys the last few years. The guys that
are back, you have a lot of talent and Rob.
It starts with the guy that touches it every time,
(02:29):
and that's Braden DeVito. And he is a good one.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah, I mean, he's just such a special player, you know,
and it's crazy to think, you know, he's going into
this is going to be his fourth year as our starter,
you know, I mean, he's played thirty seven games as
a quarterback for US, and now he's going to start,
and it's exciting to see the growth that he's had.
You know, I can remember talking when he was a
freshman there and it was like you could see the
potential and he could see the things that he could do,
(02:53):
and you know, he's really worked very hard to mold
himself into the high school quarterback that he is. You know,
originally just going to be an athlete play back there,
and you know, now he's shoot ninety five hundred yards
passing through three years. You know, I mean, he's he's
developed as a passer and I think you've seen the
growth in his game as again his pocket presence and
all those kind of things, and then his running ability
(03:13):
and the run game and all those kind of things.
And you know, now it's as a leader. You know,
this is his last ride and he's got there's eighteen
seniors on this team, which were very fortunate to have,
but you know, they understand they only get so many opportunities,
you know, and we've already had some injuries to that
senior class, but you know, these guys want to go
out there and they want to represent them and they
want to represent this community and understand the opportunity that's
(03:33):
in front of them. And again, there's nobody better to
lead the to lead the way than you know Braden Nevito,
who you know obviously you know it's going to be
a special high school football player for us. And then
made the decision to go to Air Force this summer,
and we're excited about that. And but I know he
wants one more ride here at Shelby and we're excited
for that.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Shelby head coach Rob Mahaney is with us on our
pregame show and I'm going to talk about overall your team,
you know, this fall, but one more back to Brandon
de Vito, who had sixty one touchdowns a year ago,
better than five thousand yards. It's amazing. You know, I've
covered high school football better than twenty years, and you know,
I told him he's one of the best I've ever covered.
(04:11):
Robert's amazing that his numbers and they are, you know,
they're monstrous. They get bigger and bigger every year. It's
just incredible what he can do, running, throwing, anytime he's
got the ball.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Yeah, I mean, he's a special kid, you know, And
I think there's obviously the god given ability that Brandon has,
but again, I think it's not just about the ability.
It's about the way that he works and has gotten
the most out of his ability, and the way he
understands the offense and how things go and where he
wants to hit the run game and where the progressions
through the pass game. And you know, and I think
Brandon would also be the first person to tell you.
(04:42):
You know, it's a lot of credit to his offensive line,
you know, that he's had and the way he's worked
with those guys and the way he's brought the receivers
and you know, again, you talk about a kid that
is a sophomore, you know, relied on like Isaiah Ramsey
and Casey Lance to go up and make plays for him.
And now he has pulled the receivers up and he's
going to find them and make them better, you know.
And I think, you know, he's just he's really really
(05:02):
a special kid and also a great human being. You know,
just a kid that you know, brings a smile to
your face and you love to have conversations with. And
so I think when you talk about Brandon de Vito,
his stats obviously are there and he's going to make
unbelievable plays and you know it's hard, you know, when
you have six do one touchdowns as a junior, it's
hard to you know, you want to top that. But
at the same time, he would be the first one
to tell you that our team goals are going to
(05:22):
be the most important, and you know, whatever it takes
for us of wing games is what he's going to do.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Talking with Shelby football coach Rob Ahine Madison, the season
open tonight, we'll have to kick off live on WMA
and at seven o'clock, let's talk offensive line, because well,
you have weapons at receiver, running back, all over the place,
but it starts with the guys up front. And I
did the math. You have about twelve hundred and sixty
pounds on that offensive line and if you include if
you include tight end Michael Shepherd or maybe Carter Cashell,
(05:49):
you're you're about fifteen hundred pounds. Rob. That sounds good
for some protection for de veto.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah, you know, and you know we bring back with
some injuries now with three starters back from that group
from last year, and had two guys that have filled
in and done a tremendous job for us, and when
you have experience, you know, you can kind of push
those guys. And I think through camp we've been able
to do that. And you know, it's an offensive line
that's geled really well and grown. You know, we challenge
our whole team and specifically our offensive line to grow
(06:16):
every practice and then grow every week because they're going
to see new fronts, they're going to see new blitz,
they're going to see all these things. Defense has always
changed throughout the season, you know, and sometimes you watch
the film and you think you know what you're going
to get, but then the defense decides to do something else,
and so we have to make sure that we are
able to adjust and to grow and adapt. And I
think this offensive line has done a great job of that.
You know, they've done a great job in the run
(06:37):
game through our first two scrimmages and also have done
a great job with you know, protecting and building a pocket.
You know, and I think you've touched that at the end.
Not only has offensive line done well, but I think
you know, having not one but two tight ends that
we feel really comfortable getting in there, and you know,
adding to the run game and two tight ends. Not
only are they're going to be good in the run
game and want to finish in block, but that can
really help us in the past game as well. You know,
(06:58):
we might have two tight ends on the few, but
we feel like we can still stretch the defense horizontally
and vertically with those guys in the past game. And
you know, there are two really special football players and
excited to see what they can do together on the field.
You know this fall as we keep moving forward.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
You were talking with Shelby head football coach Rob Mahoney
getting ready for kickoff against Madison. Robert, let's talk a
little more offense in terms of if you bring a
lot of guys back at wide receiver. Talk about you know,
Brady Bowman's back, Avery Lambert. I know you add Gavin Miller,
you know Landon Folts. We talked about the tight ends
in Shepherd and Keshler. There are a lot of weapons
for bradon DeVito to get the ball too.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, I think you're right. You know you're talking about obviously.
You know, Brady had a special season as a sophomore
last year to be first team All Ohio and the
production that he can create he's just so explosive. You know,
he's an elite accelerator in my opinion, and he can
just get off and win one on one matchups and
fine holes and defense. You know, Brady has done just
such a great job of becoming that go to guy,
(07:56):
you know. And then when you talk about the other
guys that you know, Avery played ton of snaps for
US last year all thirteen games. You know, took every
snap offensively for US, and it's solid and reliable and
makes awesome blocks and you know, when it's his turn
to be open, he makes the catch and finishes. So
Avery does a really good job for us. You talk
about Landon Folts, you're talking about a guy obviously that's
(08:16):
new to our offense, but with a second team All
Conference receiver for US last year, and you know it
has done a great job of picking things up and
being ready to go for us. And Scavin Miller is
a senior who had now has a chance, you know,
with some injuries ahead of him, and you know the
work that he's put in, you know he's going to
be a starter for us. And we're excited to see
what Gavin can do. He can you know, a tall
(08:37):
lengthy guy that can go up and make big plays
over the top of people. So we're excited for that.
And you know, again, then some of the young receivers
like at the Case and Cook, you know, and he
has done a really good job in Cold Dorsey. We
can throw out there when we need to. I mean,
there's some really good players for us. And then, like
you said, obviously with the tight ends and what they
can do, you know, sometimes again you know, instead of
(08:59):
one end, have four receivers on the field to spread,
we might feel better with leaping those guys in and
flexing them out. And you know, Michael Sheppard obviously, you
know a special talent and that's why you know you're
talking about Miami of Ohio. They came in and talked
to him and those kind of things. So I just
think in Carter, obviously it is going to have a
future to play college football. So you know, we want
to make sure we feel like we have a lot
(09:21):
of depth there and being in and out of formation,
so we want to make sure we try to get
those guys spells. And also understanding that you know, high
school football, you know it's the ten fastest weeks, but
it's also ten long weeks for you know, a player
to grind through it, and we want to make sure
we keep those guys as fresh and possible as we
go through this season. But and again, these guys also,
you know, have to be able to understand and know.
(09:43):
And then Brandon's done a great job of getting these
guys ready to play our offense and what he needs
from them. And I think, you know, we're excited to
see these guys play against Madison.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Rob Mahaney, seventh year football coach and Shelby as we
preview the Whippets getting ready for the season opener against Madison,
kick off Friday, seven o'clock here on DOUBLEMA. And so,
who's going to run the ball for your running back?
We know Brandon de Vito a quarterback and pull it
down and run, but throw out some names, Rob, who's
going to carry the ball for the Whippets in the backfield? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I think that's you know, we've had three guys kind
of emerge as our as our three running backs that
are going to take some time. And you know, Travis
Sloan has a senior moved to that position, had done
really really well for us throughout the summer. You know,
the guy that started for us last year safety, he's
going to start a linebacker for us this year, and
then he's going to get some carries at running back.
And then Gavin Baker, you know who took six and
(10:33):
one hundred and ten meter hurdles for us on our
track team. He's going to get some carries for us
and play some d line as well. But those two
guys have been the older guy, you know, a junior
and a senior, and they've done a tremendous job. And
then you know, really the third back that's going to
get some chances here and there will be Luke Blevins,
who's a freshman for us. You know, has just done
a good job of coming. He's just trying to figure
out the speed and figure out the system a little bit.
(10:55):
But Luke's done a good job when he gets his
opportunities of making explosive plays. So you know, again, Travis
has done a tremendous job of taking ownership of that position.
You know, he'll be our starter on that first nap
and then Gavin and Luke will rotate in there who
have also done a great job for us.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Rob, tell me about your defense. You know this fall,
and I know you guys bring back some guys on
the D line. You know you mentioned you add some
guys as well. But you know, you know I covered
Carter Kessler when he played at Mansfield Senior at sixty three,
two thirty five. That's really nice on the defensive end,
Big Hunter on he's about two seventy five. You know,
you throw in Kyler Williams with a great year a
year ago, Michael Shepard, that's a nice defensive line. You know,
(11:32):
Sam Gortz like one of your top tacklers a year ago.
He's back. So I threw out some names talk about
your defense a little bit.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Yeah, you know, I think when you talk about the
D line, you know those are again, those are guys
that need to be, you know, impact players for US.
You know, Carter and Michael at the two defensive ends
or as physically get it as any defensive ends that
will play all year. So we need to make sure
that they do a good job. And you know then
obviously Hunter own he's a returning for us, Kyler's a
returning for us. Those guys played in all thirteen games
for US last year, so you know, we expect them
(12:00):
to be able to do those things. But you know, again,
when we're at so we want to make sure we
play team defense and that we do our job and
understand what our role is in the system. And I
think that's something that we're still figuring out here and there.
But I think overall, you know this, for dy lineman
have done a good job for us. And again, some
of the guys on offense, I can jump in there.
You know, whether it's Quintin Albert who's going to get
chances to play up there, Bryce Booker, who are starters
(12:21):
for us on offense when they get their chance, They've
done a really good job for us. You know. Linebacker wise,
you know, like I said, we moved Travis down there
to play in the outside linebacker who plays safety for
us last year. Sam is the returner like you said,
you know, who was first team All League for US
and has done a great job and plays with great effort.
Bryce Sampsel is one of my favorite stories on this
football team. A kid that you know, as an eighth
(12:41):
grader or seventh grader didn't really play very much, but
has just put a ton of time, never missed a
day in the weight room, never missed a day on
the field, and you know, now he gets an opportunity
to start at mike linebacker for this team, you know,
with such high expectations. I just think it's an awesome
story to see Bryce and that he's earned this opportunity.
In our front seven, again, you're talking about guys that
you either have played a lot in different positions or
(13:03):
are getting their chances as seniors, and you know, a
couple of junior sprinkled in, and then our secondary, you know,
we bring back obviously Braden's going to start at corner
for US, who started all the games for US last year.
Cole became a starter halfway through the season that corner
for US and did a great job. And then safeties
we got two new guys starting back there, but again
guys that have seen a ton of varsity football and
land In Folds and Brady Bowman, you know who again
(13:26):
offensively you are going to be able to do things
for us, but now they got to be able to
play both ways. And you know, I think again Brady's
done a good job of getting ready for that, and
land In obviously started last year. You know, he was
a corner last year, but you know, for us, he's
going to play safety, and you know, we're excited to
see what he can do back there.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Before I let you go, Rob Mahaney had football coach
at Shelby seventh year, taking on Madison in the season
opener a year ago. You know, and you guys do
so many things well, but the kicking game was a
struggle extra points and field goals. Talk about I'm sure
you guys addressed that, you know, off season camp and
all of that, and who's going to be your kicker
this fall?
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yeah, you know, we've had a couple of guys kind
of urgent right now. Everett Harris has been a guy
who put a ton of time in really just a
kick and trying to figure that out. And last year
as a sophomore for us, he's kind of in the mix.
And then you know he again he put a ton
of time and came back this year as a junior,
and you know, the pop is there and the kind
of the you know, when you've been around football for
long and if you kind of know or can't expect
(14:18):
what it's supposed to look like or pop off the
foot and what it's supposed to be. And I think
Everett has that, especially in the pat and the place
kicking so that you know it would be a good
audition for us. And then you know, actually, you know
Michael did. Michael Shepvard did a great job punting for
us last year. You know, he was second team on
conference and I think he's done a really good job
throughout the summer too of punting. So you know, with
Michael and Everett, we feel good there and then you know,
(14:38):
really then our backup kicker would be landed full who's
done a good job, you know, being able to jump
out there and kick for us. But feel good about
where those guys are at and what they can do.
And you know, obviously Everard's never played on a Friday
night and we'll see how that goes this week, but
has put a ton of time to be ready to
go out there and kick for us.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Shelby coach Rob Mahaney, I want to talk expectations, not
that you have to give them, but you know, you know,
I talked to Jake fer from the News Journal, my
broadcast partner Eric Well, A lot of people with a
lot of high expectations for Shelby's football team this fall.
You guys bring back a ton of course, Braden de Veto,
you know, back for the fourth year a quarterback. You know,
what do you guys talk about because kids hear things,
(15:18):
read things, Robin, you got to keep them locked in
week to week and goal number one. Of course, you
guys want to go win a conference title, make a long,
you know, deep playoff run. But just talk about what
you talk with the kids about. Expectations.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Yeah, I think you know, expectations are you know, the
fact that you have expectations means that you've done things
in the past. But again it's in the past. You know,
we talk about there's a lot of outside noise and
there's people from everywhere, whether it's the media or parents,
or it's people in the community or any of those
kind of things they have. Well, we consider outside noise.
You know, we want to be focused on what's going
(15:51):
on in our locker room. You know, the players that
are in our locker room, the coaches that are in
our locker room. I understand what our expectation is and
what understand what our four core values are and what
we want to be process driven and we want to
be fearless, and we want to serve one another, and
we want to be thankful. You know, we feel like
if we can live those four things as a football team,
you know, the rest will kind of take care of itself.
(16:11):
And so again, we don't want to be worried about
championships or anything along those lines. You know, we want
to focus in on the day to day process and
be able to say that we've got a day better
every time we stepped on the field as a team,
because you know, you only get so many opportunities, whether
it's practices or games, you only get so many opportunities
compete as this team. And you know, again we're doing
(16:32):
this interview, it means that game one right around the corner.
You know, it's here this week, and so we got
to be ready to go out there and execute it
and take advantage of that opportunity. So to us, it's
what matters inside the locker room, living those core values
and you know, just being accountable and to our guys
inside ourselves. And again not that we are shining away
from any of those expectations from the outside, but we
(16:52):
want to make sure that we live to our pour
core values inside our locker room and trusting those guys
and you know, just being there for.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
One of Whippets football coach seventh year Rob Mahaney shall
be at Madison Friday and the high school football season opener. Rob,
you know many in the media picking you shall be
to win the midd Ohio Athletic Conference championship this fall.
Who do you feel is going to be good in
the league. We know Ontario had a great year a
year ago. River Valley's been good over the years, clear fork,
(17:20):
Just kind of what's your thought. I know you haven't
played anybody yet, but what's your feelings about the league?
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Yeah? I just think you know, again, the Middle High
Athletic Conference has been you know, over the past since
I've been here, you know, all six years and going
into your seven, has been a good football conference, you know,
and I think you know you talked about some really
good football teams in our conference. But you know, again
Gallian obviously coach Dick has done a really good job
there and they bring back a lot of players from
last season, so you know they'll have a lot of
(17:46):
success in what they do and they understand, you know
that guy in what they you know, they again met
coach Dick. It's only coach I think it's been in
a school longer than me, and you know, and they
have their expectations and they do a good job of
doing that. We talk about clear Fork, who you know,
again has been young the past couple of years for
those kids whore getting older and they bring it back
a lot of experience. And we talk about Ontario you
(18:06):
know again, you know, that's a team that had a
lot of success last year and coach Ecker does a
tremendous job with those guys. So I think, you know,
making sure that they're going to be ready because again
they had experience last year. Then you talk, I mean,
you know, a school like Marion Harding is always going
to with a new head coach who I thought coach
Wessell did a great job at Pleasant and now he
goes to Harding and he's going to have more resources
(18:28):
and more kids and so we'll see how that works out.
But again, and I think when you talk about you know,
a Highland with coached over who does a good job,
and River Valley with coach Waddle, you know, those are
good coaches that have had success, you know, in recent times.
And so you can't count anybody out. We haven't played
a game. And then Pleasant obviously has a new coach too,
and we'll see how that looks. But I think again,
(18:51):
from top to bottom, you're just talking about a really
good football conference, and so we again, but we're not
worried about that right now. You know, We're worried about
again getting better every single day. And hopefully if we
get better every day and every opportunity we get at
the team, then that will kind of take care of
itself and all right.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Shelby head football coach Rob Ahane getting ready for week
one Friday night at Madison, Rob, we always appreciate the visit.
Thanks for joining us as always. Good luck to the
Whippets on Friday.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Awesome, Thanks Aaron, thanks for doing this, Thanks for covering
us to really appreciate it.
And seventh year head coach Rob Mahaney. Rob, first of all,
I told you, great to hear your voice. Football is back.
But let's begin here. Hard to believe your seventh year
as head coach in Shelby.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Yeah, you know, it's kind of crazy that, you know,
you know, you realize that, but to hear it out
loud sometimes it's like, oh man, you know it's a
crazy thing, but you know, it's great to hear your voice, Aaron.
Kind of the same thing like you know when you
hear Aaron Hines. You know, football is right here and
we're excited for that. And you know, again to go
back seven. I mean it's been seven, you know, awesome
years so far, and just thankful for the opportunity that
(00:32):
was given. And you know, when I started, our oldest
daughter was one years old, kind of you know, doing
her thing at the games. And now she's in first
grade and we have two other ones. So it's been
time flies, but it moves slow at the same time,
you know. So it's just a crazy thing. But excited
to be here and excited to get started.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Teach your coach, three kids, family, busy, mahoney, household right.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Oh, you're not wrong about that. Yeah, but it's good.
It's a great busy.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
It's great to hear Rob. You know, Rob, Well, let's
start here. I want to talk about this year's team.
But this is your seventh year. In six years, you
guys have had you know, multiple league titles, deep playoff runs. Boy,
you have to be proud of what this program's done,
you know, in your six years.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, you know, and it's just've been very lucky to
have you know, awesome kids and a great coaching staff,
and yeah, the community that supports it. You know. I
think when you come to Shelby as a you know,
as an outsider coming here into this community, there's some
pressure in the tradition, all those kind of things, and
you know, but I think at the end of the day,
the wins are awesome, the championships are awesome. But I
(01:33):
think we've done a great job of helping young men
grow into be young adults and be ready to tackle
whatever's next in their career. And you know, that's the
thing we want to be most proud about, is, you know,
those guys and the growth that they show. You know,
when we get a fourteen year old freshman and by
the time they leave as an eighteen year old senior.
We want to make sure that they're going to be
ready for what life throws at them, and I think
football is a great way to teach that, and that's
(01:55):
what we want to do. But like you said, we've
been very fortunate to have some really great football teams
have done some really good things, and proud of those kids,
and proud of our coaching staff that we've had throughout
the last six years.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Shelby head coach Rob Mahine's with us to play Madison
Sinnati in the season opener. Let's talk about you guys,
twelve and one a year ago. I know, heartbreaker in
a regional semi final, but you bring back a lot
from a year ago. A boy, you know, just you know,
seeing you guys the last few years. The guys that
are back, you have a lot of talent and Rob.
It starts with the guy that touches it every time,
(02:29):
and that's Braden DeVito. And he is a good one.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah, I mean, he's just such a special player, you know,
and it's crazy to think, you know, he's going into
this is going to be his fourth year as our starter,
you know, I mean, he's played thirty seven games as
a quarterback for US, and now he's going to start,
and it's exciting to see the growth that he's had.
You know, I can remember talking when he was a
freshman there and it was like you could see the
potential and he could see the things that he could do,
(02:53):
and you know, he's really worked very hard to mold
himself into the high school quarterback that he is. You know,
originally just going to be an athlete play back there,
and you know, now he's shoot ninety five hundred yards
passing through three years. You know, I mean, he's he's
developed as a passer and I think you've seen the
growth in his game as again his pocket presence and
all those kind of things, and then his running ability
(03:13):
and the run game and all those kind of things.
And you know, now it's as a leader. You know,
this is his last ride and he's got there's eighteen
seniors on this team, which were very fortunate to have,
but you know, they understand they only get so many opportunities,
you know, and we've already had some injuries to that
senior class, but you know, these guys want to go
out there and they want to represent them and they
want to represent this community and understand the opportunity that's
(03:33):
in front of them. And again, there's nobody better to
lead the to lead the way than you know Braden Nevito,
who you know obviously you know it's going to be
a special high school football player for us. And then
made the decision to go to Air Force this summer,
and we're excited about that. And but I know he
wants one more ride here at Shelby and we're excited
for that.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Shelby head coach Rob Mahaney is with us on our
pregame show and I'm going to talk about overall your team,
you know, this fall, but one more back to Brandon
de Vito, who had sixty one touchdowns a year ago,
better than five thousand yards. It's amazing. You know, I've
covered high school football better than twenty years, and you know,
I told him he's one of the best I've ever covered.
(04:11):
Robert's amazing that his numbers and they are, you know,
they're monstrous. They get bigger and bigger every year. It's
just incredible what he can do, running, throwing, anytime he's
got the ball.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Yeah, I mean, he's a special kid, you know, And
I think there's obviously the god given ability that Brandon has,
but again, I think it's not just about the ability.
It's about the way that he works and has gotten
the most out of his ability, and the way he
understands the offense and how things go and where he
wants to hit the run game and where the progressions
through the pass game. And you know, and I think
Brandon would also be the first person to tell you.
(04:42):
You know, it's a lot of credit to his offensive line,
you know, that he's had and the way he's worked
with those guys and the way he's brought the receivers
and you know, again, you talk about a kid that
is a sophomore, you know, relied on like Isaiah Ramsey
and Casey Lance to go up and make plays for him.
And now he has pulled the receivers up and he's
going to find them and make them better, you know.
And I think, you know, he's just he's really really
(05:02):
a special kid and also a great human being. You know,
just a kid that you know, brings a smile to
your face and you love to have conversations with. And
so I think when you talk about Brandon de Vito,
his stats obviously are there and he's going to make
unbelievable plays and you know it's hard, you know, when
you have six do one touchdowns as a junior, it's
hard to you know, you want to top that. But
at the same time, he would be the first one
to tell you that our team goals are going to
(05:22):
be the most important, and you know, whatever it takes
for us of wing games is what he's going to do.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Talking with Shelby football coach Rob Ahine Madison, the season
open tonight, we'll have to kick off live on WMA
and at seven o'clock, let's talk offensive line, because well,
you have weapons at receiver, running back, all over the place,
but it starts with the guys up front. And I
did the math. You have about twelve hundred and sixty
pounds on that offensive line and if you include if
you include tight end Michael Shepherd or maybe Carter Cashell,
(05:49):
you're you're about fifteen hundred pounds. Rob. That sounds good
for some protection for de veto.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah, you know, and you know we bring back with
some injuries now with three starters back from that group
from last year, and had two guys that have filled
in and done a tremendous job for us, and when
you have experience, you know, you can kind of push
those guys. And I think through camp we've been able
to do that. And you know, it's an offensive line
that's geled really well and grown. You know, we challenge
our whole team and specifically our offensive line to grow
(06:16):
every practice and then grow every week because they're going
to see new fronts, they're going to see new blitz,
they're going to see all these things. Defense has always
changed throughout the season, you know, and sometimes you watch
the film and you think you know what you're going
to get, but then the defense decides to do something else,
and so we have to make sure that we are
able to adjust and to grow and adapt. And I
think this offensive line has done a great job of that.
You know, they've done a great job in the run
(06:37):
game through our first two scrimmages and also have done
a great job with you know, protecting and building a pocket.
You know, and I think you've touched that at the end.
Not only has offensive line done well, but I think
you know, having not one but two tight ends that
we feel really comfortable getting in there, and you know,
adding to the run game and two tight ends. Not
only are they're going to be good in the run
game and want to finish in block, but that can
really help us in the past game as well. You know,
(06:58):
we might have two tight ends on the few, but
we feel like we can still stretch the defense horizontally
and vertically with those guys in the past game. And
you know, there are two really special football players and
excited to see what they can do together on the field.
You know this fall as we keep moving forward.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
You were talking with Shelby head football coach Rob Mahoney
getting ready for kickoff against Madison. Robert, let's talk a
little more offense in terms of if you bring a
lot of guys back at wide receiver. Talk about you know,
Brady Bowman's back, Avery Lambert. I know you add Gavin Miller,
you know Landon Folts. We talked about the tight ends
in Shepherd and Keshler. There are a lot of weapons
for bradon DeVito to get the ball too.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, I think you're right. You know you're talking about obviously.
You know, Brady had a special season as a sophomore
last year to be first team All Ohio and the
production that he can create he's just so explosive. You know,
he's an elite accelerator in my opinion, and he can
just get off and win one on one matchups and
fine holes and defense. You know, Brady has done just
such a great job of becoming that go to guy,
(07:56):
you know. And then when you talk about the other
guys that you know, Avery played ton of snaps for
US last year all thirteen games. You know, took every
snap offensively for US, and it's solid and reliable and
makes awesome blocks and you know, when it's his turn
to be open, he makes the catch and finishes. So
Avery does a really good job for us. You talk
about Landon Folts, you're talking about a guy obviously that's
(08:16):
new to our offense, but with a second team All
Conference receiver for US last year, and you know it
has done a great job of picking things up and
being ready to go for us. And Scavin Miller is
a senior who had now has a chance, you know,
with some injuries ahead of him, and you know the
work that he's put in, you know he's going to
be a starter for us. And we're excited to see
what Gavin can do. He can you know, a tall
(08:37):
lengthy guy that can go up and make big plays
over the top of people. So we're excited for that.
And you know, again, then some of the young receivers
like at the Case and Cook, you know, and he
has done a really good job in Cold Dorsey. We
can throw out there when we need to. I mean,
there's some really good players for us. And then, like
you said, obviously with the tight ends and what they
can do, you know, sometimes again you know, instead of
(08:59):
one end, have four receivers on the field to spread,
we might feel better with leaping those guys in and
flexing them out. And you know, Michael Sheppard obviously, you
know a special talent and that's why you know you're
talking about Miami of Ohio. They came in and talked
to him and those kind of things. So I just
think in Carter, obviously it is going to have a
future to play college football. So you know, we want
to make sure we feel like we have a lot
(09:21):
of depth there and being in and out of formation,
so we want to make sure we try to get
those guys spells. And also understanding that you know, high
school football, you know it's the ten fastest weeks, but
it's also ten long weeks for you know, a player
to grind through it, and we want to make sure
we keep those guys as fresh and possible as we
go through this season. But and again, these guys also,
you know, have to be able to understand and know.
(09:43):
And then Brandon's done a great job of getting these
guys ready to play our offense and what he needs
from them. And I think, you know, we're excited to
see these guys play against Madison.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Rob Mahaney, seventh year football coach and Shelby as we
preview the Whippets getting ready for the season opener against Madison,
kick off Friday, seven o'clock here on DOUBLEMA. And so,
who's going to run the ball for your running back?
We know Brandon de Vito a quarterback and pull it
down and run, but throw out some names, Rob, who's
going to carry the ball for the Whippets in the backfield? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I think that's you know, we've had three guys kind
of emerge as our as our three running backs that
are going to take some time. And you know, Travis
Sloan has a senior moved to that position, had done
really really well for us throughout the summer. You know,
the guy that started for us last year safety, he's
going to start a linebacker for us this year, and
then he's going to get some carries at running back.
And then Gavin Baker, you know who took six and
(10:33):
one hundred and ten meter hurdles for us on our
track team. He's going to get some carries for us
and play some d line as well. But those two
guys have been the older guy, you know, a junior
and a senior, and they've done a tremendous job. And
then you know, really the third back that's going to
get some chances here and there will be Luke Blevins,
who's a freshman for us. You know, has just done
a good job of coming. He's just trying to figure
out the speed and figure out the system a little bit.
(10:55):
But Luke's done a good job when he gets his
opportunities of making explosive plays. So you know, again, Travis
has done a tremendous job of taking ownership of that position.
You know, he'll be our starter on that first nap
and then Gavin and Luke will rotate in there who
have also done a great job for us.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Rob, tell me about your defense. You know this fall,
and I know you guys bring back some guys on
the D line. You know you mentioned you add some
guys as well. But you know, you know I covered
Carter Kessler when he played at Mansfield Senior at sixty three,
two thirty five. That's really nice on the defensive end,
Big Hunter on he's about two seventy five. You know,
you throw in Kyler Williams with a great year a
year ago, Michael Shepard, that's a nice defensive line. You know,
(11:32):
Sam Gortz like one of your top tacklers a year ago.
He's back. So I threw out some names talk about
your defense a little bit.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Yeah, you know, I think when you talk about the
D line, you know those are again, those are guys
that need to be, you know, impact players for US.
You know, Carter and Michael at the two defensive ends
or as physically get it as any defensive ends that
will play all year. So we need to make sure
that they do a good job. And you know then
obviously Hunter own he's a returning for us, Kyler's a
returning for us. Those guys played in all thirteen games
for US last year, so you know, we expect them
(12:00):
to be able to do those things. But you know, again,
when we're at so we want to make sure we
play team defense and that we do our job and
understand what our role is in the system. And I
think that's something that we're still figuring out here and there.
But I think overall, you know this, for dy lineman
have done a good job for us. And again, some
of the guys on offense, I can jump in there.
You know, whether it's Quintin Albert who's going to get
chances to play up there, Bryce Booker, who are starters
(12:21):
for us on offense when they get their chance, They've
done a really good job for us. You know. Linebacker wise,
you know, like I said, we moved Travis down there
to play in the outside linebacker who plays safety for
us last year. Sam is the returner like you said,
you know, who was first team All League for US
and has done a great job and plays with great effort.
Bryce Sampsel is one of my favorite stories on this
football team. A kid that you know, as an eighth
(12:41):
grader or seventh grader didn't really play very much, but
has just put a ton of time, never missed a
day in the weight room, never missed a day on
the field, and you know, now he gets an opportunity
to start at mike linebacker for this team, you know,
with such high expectations. I just think it's an awesome
story to see Bryce and that he's earned this opportunity.
In our front seven, again, you're talking about guys that
you either have played a lot in different positions or
(13:03):
are getting their chances as seniors, and you know, a
couple of junior sprinkled in, and then our secondary, you know,
we bring back obviously Braden's going to start at corner
for US, who started all the games for US last year.
Cole became a starter halfway through the season that corner
for US and did a great job. And then safeties
we got two new guys starting back there, but again
guys that have seen a ton of varsity football and
land In Folds and Brady Bowman, you know who again
(13:26):
offensively you are going to be able to do things
for us, but now they got to be able to
play both ways. And you know, I think again Brady's
done a good job of getting ready for that, and
land In obviously started last year. You know, he was
a corner last year, but you know, for us, he's
going to play safety, and you know, we're excited to
see what he can do back there.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Before I let you go, Rob Mahaney had football coach
at Shelby seventh year, taking on Madison in the season
opener a year ago. You know, and you guys do
so many things well, but the kicking game was a
struggle extra points and field goals. Talk about I'm sure
you guys addressed that, you know, off season camp and
all of that, and who's going to be your kicker
this fall?
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yeah, you know, we've had a couple of guys kind
of urgent right now. Everett Harris has been a guy
who put a ton of time in really just a
kick and trying to figure that out. And last year
as a sophomore for us, he's kind of in the mix.
And then you know he again he put a ton
of time and came back this year as a junior,
and you know, the pop is there and the kind
of the you know, when you've been around football for
long and if you kind of know or can't expect
(14:18):
what it's supposed to look like or pop off the
foot and what it's supposed to be. And I think
Everett has that, especially in the pat and the place
kicking so that you know it would be a good
audition for us. And then you know, actually, you know
Michael did. Michael Shepvard did a great job punting for
us last year. You know, he was second team on
conference and I think he's done a really good job
throughout the summer too of punting. So you know, with
Michael and Everett, we feel good there and then you know,
(14:38):
really then our backup kicker would be landed full who's
done a good job, you know, being able to jump
out there and kick for us. But feel good about
where those guys are at and what they can do.
And you know, obviously Everard's never played on a Friday
night and we'll see how that goes this week, but
has put a ton of time to be ready to
go out there and kick for us.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Shelby coach Rob Mahaney, I want to talk expectations, not
that you have to give them, but you know, you know,
I talked to Jake fer from the News Journal, my
broadcast partner Eric Well, A lot of people with a
lot of high expectations for Shelby's football team this fall.
You guys bring back a ton of course, Braden de Veto,
you know, back for the fourth year a quarterback. You know,
what do you guys talk about because kids hear things,
(15:18):
read things, Robin, you got to keep them locked in
week to week and goal number one. Of course, you
guys want to go win a conference title, make a long,
you know, deep playoff run. But just talk about what
you talk with the kids about. Expectations.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Yeah, I think you know, expectations are you know, the
fact that you have expectations means that you've done things
in the past. But again it's in the past. You know,
we talk about there's a lot of outside noise and
there's people from everywhere, whether it's the media or parents,
or it's people in the community or any of those
kind of things they have. Well, we consider outside noise.
You know, we want to be focused on what's going
(15:51):
on in our locker room. You know, the players that
are in our locker room, the coaches that are in
our locker room. I understand what our expectation is and
what understand what our four core values are and what
we want to be process driven and we want to
be fearless, and we want to serve one another, and
we want to be thankful. You know, we feel like
if we can live those four things as a football team,
you know, the rest will kind of take care of itself.
(16:11):
And so again, we don't want to be worried about
championships or anything along those lines. You know, we want
to focus in on the day to day process and
be able to say that we've got a day better
every time we stepped on the field as a team,
because you know, you only get so many opportunities, whether
it's practices or games, you only get so many opportunities
compete as this team. And you know, again we're doing
(16:32):
this interview, it means that game one right around the corner.
You know, it's here this week, and so we got
to be ready to go out there and execute it
and take advantage of that opportunity. So to us, it's
what matters inside the locker room, living those core values
and you know, just being accountable and to our guys
inside ourselves. And again not that we are shining away
from any of those expectations from the outside, but we
(16:52):
want to make sure that we live to our pour
core values inside our locker room and trusting those guys
and you know, just being there for.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
One of Whippets football coach seventh year Rob Mahaney shall
be at Madison Friday and the high school football season opener. Rob,
you know many in the media picking you shall be
to win the midd Ohio Athletic Conference championship this fall.
Who do you feel is going to be good in
the league. We know Ontario had a great year a
year ago. River Valley's been good over the years, clear fork,
(17:20):
Just kind of what's your thought. I know you haven't
played anybody yet, but what's your feelings about the league?
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Yeah? I just think you know, again, the Middle High
Athletic Conference has been you know, over the past since
I've been here, you know, all six years and going
into your seven, has been a good football conference, you know,
and I think you know you talked about some really
good football teams in our conference. But you know, again
Gallian obviously coach Dick has done a really good job
there and they bring back a lot of players from
last season, so you know they'll have a lot of
(17:46):
success in what they do and they understand, you know
that guy in what they you know, they again met
coach Dick. It's only coach I think it's been in
a school longer than me, and you know, and they
have their expectations and they do a good job of
doing that. We talk about clear Fork, who you know,
again has been young the past couple of years for
those kids whore getting older and they bring it back
a lot of experience. And we talk about Ontario you
(18:06):
know again, you know, that's a team that had a
lot of success last year and coach Ecker does a
tremendous job with those guys. So I think, you know,
making sure that they're going to be ready because again
they had experience last year. Then you talk, I mean,
you know, a school like Marion Harding is always going
to with a new head coach who I thought coach
Wessell did a great job at Pleasant and now he
goes to Harding and he's going to have more resources
(18:28):
and more kids and so we'll see how that works out.
But again, and I think when you talk about you know,
a Highland with coached over who does a good job,
and River Valley with coach Waddle, you know, those are
good coaches that have had success, you know, in recent times.
And so you can't count anybody out. We haven't played
a game. And then Pleasant obviously has a new coach too,
and we'll see how that looks. But I think again,
(18:51):
from top to bottom, you're just talking about a really
good football conference, and so we again, but we're not
worried about that right now. You know, We're worried about
again getting better every single day. And hopefully if we
get better every day and every opportunity we get at
the team, then that will kind of take care of
itself and all right.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Shelby head football coach Rob Ahane getting ready for week
one Friday night at Madison, Rob, we always appreciate the visit.
Thanks for joining us as always. Good luck to the
Whippets on Friday.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Awesome, Thanks Aaron, thanks for doing this, Thanks for covering
us to really appreciate it.
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