Slow starts on Homecoming are not uncommon. Shelbyville’s 2024 ceremonies were not out of character. Leading 6-0 midway through the second quarter and stalling out inside the 20, the Golden Eagles committed an illegal procedure penalty on a 27-yd field goal make by Ben Betzelberger. Not to be dismayed, the Senior calmly booted a 32-yd field goal to give his team a 9-0 lead with 7:22 left in the first half.
The Golden Eagle defense once again got off the field quickly allowing the offense to shift into high gear scoring on consecutive plays from scrimmage…a 52-yard pass and catch from Stephen Bobo to Labron Ransom and a 48-yard pass completion from S. Bobo to his brother William Bobo who strolled into the end zone without a Wildcat defender in sight.
Wilson Central’s offense could never muster any momentum as Senior Quarterback Gavin Mayfield was sacked three times and forced out of the pocket on nearly every drop back. It was the second consecutive scoreless contest for the 6A school from Wilson County following a 36-0 loss to rival Green Hill a week ago.
The shutout was by far the best overall defensive performance for the Golden Eagles’ unit and the first of the season. Head Coach Jud Dryden praised his defensive leaders before the game for their focus from the first practice following the come-from-behind win versus Columbia a week ago.
The numbers bear that out as Shelbyville only allowed 84 total yards for the game and just 21 yards in the second half. Offensively, S. Bobo completed 9/16 passes for 207 yards and three TDs. W. Bobo caught four passes for 101 yards and two scores. R. Bailey led the ground attack with a quiet 13-carry, 115-yard performance, punching it in for two more scores giving him nine for the season to lead the team. N. Zimmerman added eight carries for 55 yards and a score as Mason Shavers led the Golden Eagles down the field on that fourth quarter drive.
Shelbyville (4-1, 1-0) steps back into region play for the remainder of the regular season next week hosting Franklin County (0-5, 0-1) who fell at home to non-region Moore County (3-2, 1-1) 32-8. You can hear the game on Whiskey Country beginning with the Doak Howell Funeral Home pregame show at 6:30 and kickoff for the Golden Eagles and Rebels set for 7:00.
Wilson Central, now 2-3, 0-1, also falls back into region play traveling to 5-0 Mt. Juliet next Friday.
Legends Steakhouse Post Game Show from Whiskey Country (Jack Plant and Drew Hooker): SCHS vs Wilson Cent. Postgame.mp3
SCORING:
1st Qtr (5:12) - Robert Bailey (SCHS) 5-yd TD Run (6-0, SCHS), PAT no good
2nd Qtr (7:22) - Ben Betzelberger (SCHS) 32-yd FG (9-0, SCHS)
2nd Qtr (4:04) - LaBron Ransom (SCHS) 52-yd TD Catch (from Stepehen Bobo) (15-0, SCHS), PAT good by B. Betzelberger (16-0, SCHS)
2nd Qtr (2:26) - W. Bobo (SCHS) 48-yd TD Catch (from S. Bobo) (22-0, SCHS), PAT good by B. Betzelberger (23-0, SCHS)
3rd Qtr (9:43) - R. Bailey (SCHS) 1-yd TD Run (29-0, SCHS), PAT good by B. Betzelberger (30-0, SCHS)
3rd Qtr (0:50) - W. Bobo (SCHS) 9-yd TD Catch (from S. Bobo) (36-0, SCHS), PAT good by B. Betzelberger (37-0, SCHS)
4th Qtr (3:22) - Nate Zimmerman (SCHS) 15-yd TD Run (43-0, SCHS), PAT good by John Betzelberger (44-0, SCHS)
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