METHUEN — If anyone wondered why Alex Shepherd was named a captain this fall for the Methuen High football team, the definitive response came in Week 6 against Haverhill.
Just seven days after leaving the Chelmsford game for what was feared to be a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, Shepherd was back in uniform, long-snapping and working his magic on special teams.
"You could see him wince and feel the pain; I mean, you know he was hurting, but there was no way he wasn't going to be out there helping us," said Ranger coach Pat Graham. "The kids recognize stuff like that. They see Alex out there. He didn't miss a day."
The pain has subsided, although not totally, but Shepherd is numb to it by now, especially with the showdown of showdowns, at Dracut for the Merrimack Valley Conference small school title, just two days away.
A lifelong Methuenite, Shepherd will take to the turf at Dracut's Beaudry Field with a special sense of pride.
His grandfather Roy Bistany served as captain on Methuen's Tenney High team in 1956. An uncle, Chris Concheri, played on the Super Bowl team of 1985 and captained Larry Klimas' 1986 squad.
Shepherd has been waiting for this day, Turkey Day of his senior year, for a long, long time.
Who could have known back in junior high days at the Marsh School when the Ranger program was at its darkest, in the midst of a 32-game conference losing streak, that this game could mean so much?
"When I was in seventh grade, a lot of people were down on the program, doubting if we'd ever come back again," said Shepherd, who will extend his high school career by at least one more game with a win over the Middies. "In eighth grade, I went to a lot of the games. It was a little depressing.
"I knew all about the history here with coach Klimas and the great teams he had. I also knew with the class ahead of us and our class we could be the group that could bring Methuen football back."
A year ago, the 7-4 Rangers spoiled Dracut's perfect campaign, handing the Middies their only loss in an Eastern Mass. championship season.
Now 8-2, Methuen has the chance to go back to the postseason for the first time since 1992.
"This is going to be a huge game for me, my family and the rest of the community," said Shepherd, a rugged blocker at tight end who has 20 catches for 203 yards and a touchdown this season. "My uncle talked to me about that Super Bowl team, about the winning mentality they had, and how great it was."
Arduous but euphoric might be the best way to describe Shepherd's season.
The anguish began on the second play of the game against Chelmsford.
"I was making a block and turned the wrong way and it popped," said Shepherd, an MVC All-Star catcher for the Rangers in the spring. "I was a little worried at first when the doctors started talking about a torn rotator cuff. As a baseball player, you hear rotator cuff and it's definitely scary, almost nerve-wracking."
Initially, he couldn't lift his arm, never mind thinking about throwing.
When the word came that it was just a muscle injury, Shepherd relaxed, for about 30 seconds, and then got right back to work.
"At first, it was very difficult," said Shepherd. "I pride myself on my blocking. I feel like I do a pretty decent job. You have to step in and block. It's a huge part of our running game.
"Every once in a while I would get banged and it hurt. But I knew I had to be out there. There are other kids on the team pushing through the pain. I needed to be out there."
His grandfather Bistany, who like Alex bleeds Ranger Royal Blue, has been there every step of the way.
He and fellow '56 captain Art Ward were honored by the school a year ago, serving as honorary captains. He'll be there again on Thanksgiving in a familiar spot, rooting Alex on.
"He's my first grandchild and his freshman year he had my number and I was so thrilled," said Bistany, a retired bank vice-president.
"When he goes out for a pass, my heart stops for a minute. I can feel it when he gets hit. I feel it when he scores."
As for the outcome, you won't be surprised by who Bistany likes.
"We beat them last year," said Bistany, the Tenney Class of '57 president noting that he still feels like he's part of the team. "In our last game, we beat Andover (Punchard High) 39-14 for the Little Three Championship. They tore the goal posts down that day. I still have a little piece of it at my house.
"Now, I just hope we can do it again."
The heroic story of Adam Taliaferro
Jason Babin tackles a different job for the day
Jason Babin believes in a Randy Moss comeback
Are there better WR options for the Eagles on the free-agent market?
The Sixers are able to hold off the lowly Bobcats
The Sixers showed maturity in closing out the Bobcats
Collins on not overlooking the Bobcats
Michael Eric's presence is undeniable for Temple
The Sixers are not taking anyone lightly
Spring training is right around the corner
Moving day: Phils' gear en route to Clearwater
Will the Flyers make a move at the trade deadline?
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
Globe 10.0: Should the Patriots go all in this offseason?
Red Sox early arrivals in Fort Myers
Curran: Patriots had 'tepid' interest in Moss in '11
Ortiz, Red Sox meet in the middle
Merloni: Red Sox need another arm
Julien: In a 'must good-game' situation
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
