By Jordan Nicewarner, Panhandle News Network Sports

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – The Shepherd Rams football team has been ranked sixth in the 2022 American Football Coaches Association Preseason Division II Coaches Poll.

This comes not long after the Rams were tapped to finish first in the PSAC back on August fourth. This most recent ranking continues to make the spotlight bigger on a Shepherd team that is already coming into the season with high expectations.

At the top of the poll is familiar foe Ferris State. The Bulldogs went on to win the 2021 D2 National Championship after beating the Rams in the National Semi-Finals. Quarterback Jared Bernhardt, who rushed for 201 yards in their win over Shepherd, is currently fighting for a position on the Atlanta Falcons as a wideout.

PSAC rivals are also spotted on the list. Kutztown, who finished the 2021 season with a record of 11-2 comes in at number 13, the Cal Vulcans are slotted at number 21, and Slippery Rock sits at number 23.

 

The Shepherd Rams look to climb their way up the standings as the season starts on the road at Southern Connecticut State on September 1st. You can hear every Shepherd Football game on 95.9 The Big Dawg.