ROXANA - Roxana turned a 2-3 start into an 8-4 finish in the 2026 season, a turnaround head coach Wade DeVries credited to players using setbacks as opportunities to grow.
The Shells, who also opened the season 1-2, built momentum late in the schedule and carried it into the playoffs. Coach DeVries said he was proud of how his players responded to early struggles and continued to give themselves chances to win.
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Even in losses, Roxana showed signs of progress. The Shells were tied with Althoff entering the fourth quarter and took a fourth-quarter lead against the Chicago Bulls.
“We really gave ourselves a chance to win,” DeVries said.
DeVries pointed to the defensive effort against Massac and a road victory over Hillsboro as highlights. Hillsboro had been unbeaten and allowed 14 points per game before facing the Shells, who were able to keep pace and outscore them.
Late-season wins helped Roxana gain confidence heading into the postseason. DeVries said he wanted players to focus on enjoying the game rather than worrying about the result, and he felt they did that toward the end of the season.
“As much as we want to win, still a game played by kids who will look back and reflect and enjoy fondly on what we had this year,” DeVries said.
Running back Mekhi Shorter was outstanding throughout the season and will return as a senior. DeVries said the junior’s return will be part of the program’s continued development as younger players prepare to take on larger roles.
“You always graduate kids and we graduated several last year and came back this year to win eight games,” DeVries said.
Replacing graduating players remains an annual task, DeVries said, to develop players at lower levels who can move into those openings.
“We have a lot freshmen and sophomore kids who are coming up,” he said.
