SHELBY — Welcome to Richland Source’s 2026 high school football previews. Over the coming days, we’ll preview all the schools across the county. Each preview features this season’s schedule, last season’s performance, statistics, a player to watch and what fans can expect under the Friday night lights.
Today, we preview the Shelby Whippets. Find all of our 2026 high school football previews here.
Graham Auto Mall is proud to back our area’s local athletes and help Richland Source provide fans in-depth coverage of the upcoming high school football season.
Shelby Whippets 2026 Preview
Division: IV
Region: 14
Conference: Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference
Coach: Rob Mahaney
Last year: 14-1
Playoff Appearances: 13 (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2010, 2007, 1999, 1998)
Playoff Record: 20-13
PLAYER TO WATCH 👀
Michael Shepherd: The 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end prospect committed to Miami of Ohio in April and will take over for the graduated Brayden DeVito at quarterback this fall. Shepherd scored Shelby’s only touchdown in last year’s state final on a 1-yard run and had eight receiving TDs on the season. He also recorded eight sacks among his 11 tackles for loss.
BY THE NUMBERS 📊
1
State runner-up finish in program history. The Whippets reached the Division IV championship game last season before falling to Cleveland Glenville 45-7 at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
18
Seniors lost to graduation off last year’s state runner-up team, including record-setting quarterback and Ohio Mr. Football runner-up Brayden DeVito.
20
Turnovers forced by Shelby during the regular season last year, tops in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference. The Whippets picked off 10 passes and recovered 10 fumbles, while committing just five turnovers of their own.
69
Total touchdowns scored by Brayden DeVito last fall. The Air Force recruit threw for 41 scores, rushed for another 26 and added a pair of defensive touchdowns.
2025 RESULTS
Shelby 56, Madison 14
Shelby 37, Lexington 13
Shelby 49, Bellevue 6
Shelby 45, Galion 34
Shelby 48, Highland 0
Shelby 42, River Valley 0
Shelby 52, Clear Fork 14
Shelby 42, Ontario 0
Shelby 55, Pleasant 10
Shelby 37, Marion Harding 6
Playoffs
Shelby 42, Orrville 0
Shelby 49, Lima Bath 7
Shelby 41, Galion 7
Shelby 42, Indian Hill 7
Cleveland Glenville 45, Shelby 7
2026 SCHEDULE 📅
Aug. 21 — MADISON
Aug. 28 — at Lexington
Sept. 4 — BELLEVUE
Sept. 11 — at Galion
Sept. 18 — at Highland
Sept. 25 — RIVER VALLEY
Oct. 2 — at Clear Fork
Oct. 9 — ONTARIO
Oct. 16 — at Pleasant
Oct. 23 — MARION HARDING
TWO MINUTE DRILL ⏱️
Shelby has holes to fill — and not just the vacancy created by the departure of quarterback and Mr. Football runner-up Brayden Devito. The Whippets lost defensive end Carter Kessler, a West Virginia recruit, along with linebacker and leading tackler Sam Gwirtz (Ashland). Senior wideout Brady Bowman is perhaps the fastest player in north central Ohio. Bowman had 24 touchdown catches among his 83 receptions last year. Look for sophomore Luke Blevins to have a breakout season. Running back Gavin Baker will shoulder a bigger load this fall as a new quarterback gets his feet wet.
Love high school football? So do we! 🏈
Stay ahead of the game with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and expert analysis from veteran sports reporter Curt Conrad.
