Rams Quarterback Tyson Bagent runs down the field, during a recent game. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Football isn’t just brute force or winning with a “hit somebody” mindset.

Speed, quickness, experience and athleticism win more college games than do all the 6-foot-5,300-pound immobile linemen in captivity.

After not playing any games in the fall of 2020, Shepherd did get in a game in the spring of 2021, winning on a neutral field in Wheeling against conference rival Mercyhurst.

And now the Rams have been tabbed by their PSAC brethren to be the team hoisting a winning toast by the East Division coaches of the conference.

It could happen, if the Rams blend a choking defense loaded with veterans with all-conference and even All-American potential with an offense that makes few mistakes and rides its passing game to score enough points to get through a schedule laden with teams that always produce conference contenders and have national names.

Shepherd has linebackers Chrys Lane, Kyle Smith and Ponce Deleon. It has linemen Ricky Robinson and Juwan Addison. And it has a secondary that doesn’t need a suffocating up-front rush to be successful.

What the Rams don’t have is a tried-and-true kicking game that might be needed if close games against Slippery Rock, Indiana, Kutztown, West Chester and Ohio Dominican come along as expected.

Will these Rams have the speed and quickness on offense to overcome the defenses that fully expect Shepherd to use the already proven arm of third-year quarterback Tyson Bagent.

The group of receivers needs to show its collective heels to the PSAC defenses. Slippery Rock played for the national championship in 2019 — that last season that had more than a scattered few spring games. Indiana usually wins at least eight games, West Chester generally considers it an ordinary season if it “only” wins eight games. Kutztown was the East Division winner in 2019. Ohio Dominican defeated Shepherd in 2019.

Previous Shepherd teams have thrived because of wholesale wide receivers with speed. Will that be a theme continued in 2021? Will opponents be troubled enough by Shepherd running backs to pile their defensive chips somewhere besides in lanes that lead to constant pressure on Bagent?

Counting field goals might be the way to beating West Chester, Slippery Rock or Indiana. Lacking in any consistent points from a kicking specialist could lose games along the pot hole-filled way.

Shepherd’s roster has experienced offensive linemen listed in place. Names like Eric Ostrow, Cole Weaver and Joey Fisher are three reasons why opposing coaches voted the Rams as the East Division pre-season favorite.

Pre-seasons don’t win games. Speed and quickness do.

Shepherd has several high quality players. Does it have enough across-the-board speed to tame some of the better teams in the country?