Column: Bishop Shanahan small but mighty
Coming into the 2021 football season much was expected the Bishop Shanahan football team. With 28 seniors back, many of whom saw time when the Eagles captured the District 1 4A championship in 2019, the Eagles were poised to possibly have another big year.
And so far, the Eagles have not disappoints, jetting out to a 5-1 record and in their only loss, 28-13 to Downingtown East, the Eagles actually outplayed the Cougars in the second half. The Eagles are led by senior quarterback Cooper Jordan, who is a playmaker and a threat to score every time he touches the football. The Bishop Shanahan defense is fast and physical and are led by Kenny Daniels, Liam Blakely, Dylan Jones and all state linebacker Brandon Choi.
Bishop Shanahan has had some good teams before but this may be the best squad head coach Paul Meyers has put out there in the short history of Bishop Shanahan football. Meyers, who deflects praise away from himself just won his 100th career game two weeks ago when the Eagles downed Penn Wood, 48-6.
The Eagles are averaging over 30 points per game while giving up leads than 10 points per contest. and now, the Eagles, a 4A school, gets thrown into the Ches-Mont National Division fray as they take on the big boys in 6A.
Suddenly, the Avon Grove game looks like a monumental struggle as the Red Devils have come alive under second year head coach Joe Coffey, winning two in a row, against Great Valley and 5A power, Academy Park. After that comes an angry Downingtown West team that will be fighting for its playoff life and the explosive Coatesville Red Raiders.
This is not new ground for Meyers and the Eagles. They have been steadfast in their commitment to staying on the Ches-Mont National Division side to play teams that almost double them in enrollment. it is the way Meyers, the only head coach in Bishop Shanahan history after the school picked up football again in the early 2000’s. He wants his kids to have the experience of playing the best competition, even though the win loss record may take a hit.
The big boys of 6A don’t really want to play the Eagles either. They complain about not getting enough playoff points from playing a small 4A school. and losing to the Eagles stings a little more because a 6A squad is supposed to beat up most 4A schools.
But, under Meyers, Bishop Shanahan is not any 4a school. in its history, the Eagles have beaten every Ches-Mont National squad and never backs down anyone. The Eagles will play anybody at any time.
The 2021 Bishop Shanahan team will be judged by the district playoffs and possibly the PIAA playoffs. The Eagles are a quality team that never gets noticed and this is a mistake most years but especially this season. Meyers has the team playing at a very high level and they are ready for the Ches-Mont National Division gauntlet being thew in front of them from this week on.
The questions about whether the Eagle belong on the Ches-Mont National side have quieted this season. the Eagles are a team that belongs with anybody. It may be a historic year for a team that’s never won a state playoff game. this could be the year that ceiling is cracked.
No matter how the Eagles season ends up, you know Meyers and his team will do it with class and will never bemoan the fact they are a small school. Meyers commands respect and his teams alway respect everyone they play. Maybe this is the year the Eagles will remembered for some time.
Right now, Bishop Shanahan is content to playing the best football it can and flying under the radar. The Eagles are small but mighty and ready for any challenge. It has always been that way under their talented head coach. It is just the Meyers way and Bishop Shanahan definitely belong in any league
