SHELBY — For Shelby quarterback McGwire Albert, adjusting to a new head coach has been a lot easier than, say, a two-mile run.
Albert and his Shelby teammates took part in the 179th Herc Challenge earlier this week at Arlin Field. The Whippets and first-year coach Robert Mahaney used the event, which included a two-mile run on the streets surrounding the stadium, as an exercise in team bonding.
A rising senior, Albert looked a little winded after the competition.
“I’m not Caleb Brown, I can promise you that,” said a winded Albert between gasps, referring to his Shelby classmate who recently won a national championship in the two-mile run at the New Balance Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina. “It was terrible.”
Long-distance running notwithstanding, the summer has been a good one for Albert as he and the Whippets transition from Erik Will to Mahaney, the former Mapleton coach and son-in-law of Ashland University coach Lee Owens. Will stepped down last fall after piloting the Whippets to a 37-30 record in six seasons, including an appearance in the state semifinals in 2017.
“It has been going well so far. There are some differences in their styles and in the workouts we’re doing, but I think it’s been good for us,” said Albert, who threw for more than 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns last fall. “Both coaches have the same expectations, that is to win a conference championship and make the playoffs.”
After reaching the regional finals in 2016 and the state semifinals in 2017, Shelby came back to earth last fall. The Whippets got off to a 3-0 start that included a win over playoff qualifier and Richland County rival Lexington, before losing five of their last seven games to finish 5-5.
“We had a lot of injuries last year and that forced a lot of young guys to step up,” Albert said. “They got the exposure they needed, so I feel like we’re ready to go this year.”
One of those young players forced into service last fall was Andre Hill. The rising sophomore, who won Wednesday’s Herc Challenge, started three games as a freshman.
“It was a learning experience for me,” Hill said. “I saw how much hard work goes into it.
“Right now we’re learning a lot about each other and bringing our bonds together. We believe in what coach Mahaney is saying.”
In six seasons at Mapleton, Mahaney was 35-30 with three playoff appearances (2013, 2014, 2018). Before his arrival, the Mounties hadn’t had a winning season since 1995 and had qualified for the playoffs only once (1991).
“Things are going well,” Mahaney said. “The weight room is going well and our throwing (program) is going well.
“We had so many kids in spring sports and with the track team winning a state championship and the baseball team getting to the regional, we had kids competing. That’s what we want them to do anyways. We feel like we are right where we need to be.”
