SHELBY — A Northern Ohio League showdown that started as a blowout evolved into a shootout Friday night at W.W. Skiles Field.
Unfortunately for Shelby, Sandusky’s defense gave its offense a cushion too big for the Whippets to overcome in a 42-21 decision.
“They came out extremely aggressive and they are very well-coached,” Shelby coach Erik Will said. “They won the first two seconds of the play and if you do that chances are you’re going to win the play.”
Blue Streaks’ quarterback Javez Alexander ran for 33 yards on the first snap, and 57 on the second. But Shelby’s defense stiffened in a superb goal-line stand. Still, those early bursts were a harbinger.
Alexander had a monster night, running for 188 yards and passing for 163 more. He accounted for five touchdowns overall, and his torrid pace helped Sandusky (5-0 overall, 2-0 in the NOL) dominate the first half.
Alexander threw for three TD passes to three different receivers, and Tarrence Reed added a 16-yard touchdown dash as the Blue Streaks opened a 21-0 first-quarter lead and took a 28-0 halftime bulge.
“I thought we had our best week of practice all year,” Will said. “But you just can’t simulate that.
“We came out and competed (in the second half). We caught up to the speed of the game.”
The Whippets took the second-half kickoff and drove 71 yards, with quarterback Brennan Armstrong tossing a 4-yard TD pass to Devon Brooks.
But the Blue Streaks answered immediately, returning the ensuing kickoff to Shelby’s 16. Alexander punched it in from 3 yards to help Sandusky regain control 35-7 with 6:36 showing in the third period.
Yet Armstrong wasn’t done. The junior standout rallied the Whippets’ offense with two more touchdown passes, 13 yards to Uriah Giesler and 77 yards to Carter Brooks. When Shelby (4-1, 1-1) recovered the ensuing onside kick with 7:01 remaining, a flicker of hope emerged.
However, Sandusky’s Cavon Croom speared an interception in the end zone to thwart the Whippets’ last chance. Alexander finished it with a 57-yard scoring jaunt through the middle for the final score.
For Sandusky, ranked seventh in the Division III state poll, the victory was a big step forward in the league race.
“We don’t control our own destiny in the NOL now,” Will said. “But goal No. 2 is still there, the state playoffs.”
Armstrong connected on 22 of 38 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Carter Brooks caught 7 passes for 123 yards.
Shelby returns to action next week at Willard.
“There’s still no other team I’d rather coach in the state,” Will said. “Situations like this don’t build character. They reveal it.
“Now we have to get right back at it.”
