MARENGO — Nic Eyster proved wind and rain to be non-issues Friday night.
As the effects of Hurricane Helene moved through Ohio, the senior Shelby receiver tallied more than 100 yards receiving and a score as the Whippets rolled past Highland 41-6.
“When we practiced all week it’s been soggy, but it’s fine,” Eyster said. “We talked the whole time before the game that it’s just a condition. It shouldn’t change how we play.
“The whole team did great. (Quarterback) Brayden (DeVito) did a great job throwing the ball with it being so wet. It’s hard to adjust to, but we all did great through it.”
Perhaps the game’s most impressive play came early in the second quarter when DeVito threw a deep pass to Eyster, who tracked and adjusted to the ball for a 61-yard TD.
The Whippets scored four times in the first half via a score from running back Marcus Gumbert, Eyster’s TD and two rushing touchdowns by DeVito.
Highland scored its only points of the night in the first quarter after a botched Shelby punt gave them possession inside the 10-yard line. Running back Zach Church recorded the 8-yard TD, which was followed by a failed two-point attempt.
Whippets score by land and by air
Despite Friday’s weather, Shelby coach Rob Mahaney felt confident in his offensive backfield of DeVito and Gumbert — both juniors.
“Obviously Brayden (DeVito) is a guy we’re going to rely on,” he said. “Marcus (Gumbert) has really emerged into that second option for us to run the football.
“You also have to talk about the guys up front who played really well. I thought we put our offensive line in places to make plays and I thought they did that — then those guys executed the run.”
Gumbert and DeVito combined for 200 of Shelby’s 230 yards rushing. Anthony Dawson and Branson Reed combined for 30 yards on three carries.
Through the air, DeVito completed 11-of-21 passes for 221 yards and two TDs.
Mahaney said his team did a good job taking advantage of opportunities in the first half — where the Whippets built a three-score lead before the break.
“Early (in the game) it was a lot of run because of the weather, but I thought our kids did a good job,” he said. “Nic (Eyster) made a heck of a play in the rain a couple times.”
The Whippets scored twice in the third quarter to establish a running-clock. DeVito ran for a three-yard touchdown and two minutes later connected with freshman Brady Bowman for a 38-yard TD.
‘That bullseye is on our back’
Shelby remains unbeaten this season and shares the driver’s seat of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference with Ontario. The Whippets and Warriors shared the league crown last year.
“We understand now that through six weeks what we’ve done has put us in a great position, but now that bullseye is on our back and we’ve got a big game against River Valley (next week),” Mahaney said. “We’ve got to continue to get better.”
His senior receiver echoed similar sentiments.
The Whippets have big games left, Eyster said, including the Vikings, Ontario, Pleasant and a gritty Clear Fork team.
“We can’t get comfortable being 6-0,” he said. “We still have four more regular season games and then the playoffs. Grind never stops.”
Gallery: Shelby at Highland
Up next:
— Shelby (6-0) hosts River Valley (4-2) Friday night to continue MOAC play. The Vikings defeated Marion Harding in Week Six, 10-0.
— Highland (2-4) hosts Galion (4-2) Friday night to continue MOAC play. The Tigers fell to Ontario in Week Six, 49-0.
Scoring summary: Shelby 41, Highland 6
1st quarter
Shelby — Marcus Gumbert 50-yard run, 6-0
Shelby — Brayden DeVito eight-yard run, 12-0
2nd quarter
Highland — Zach Church eight-yard run, 12-6
Shelby — Nic Eyster 61-yard pass from DeVito, 20-6
Shelby — DeVito 23-yard run, 27-6
3rd quarter
Shelby — DeVito three-yard run, 34-6
Shelby — Brady Bowman 38-yard pass from DeVito, 41-6
4th quarter
No scoring