SHELBY — Friday’s game between Shelby and Ontario might be the most meaningful meeting the two programs have ever shared.
The Whippets (8-0, 5-0) and Warriors (8-0, 5-0) both remain unbeaten through eight weeks of the 2024 high school football season. Friday’s survivor will clinch at least a share of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference crown.
Shelby and Ontario shared the MOAC title last year — though the Whippets enter this season’s meeting with bragging rights, defeating the Warriors on a trick play late in last season’s matchup.
Over the past 14 meetings between the two teams, Shelby boasts a 10-4 record against Ontario — a series which has developed into one of Richland County’s top rivalries.
Highlights from last year’s game
All eyes on Whippet Athletic Complex this Friday
Friday’s matchup has been the talk of Richland County and beyond this week — perhaps since the season began.
Richland Source Managing Editor Larry Phillips, sports reporter Curt Conrad, city editor Carl Hunnell and Shelby/North County reporter Hayden Gray sat and talked about the marquee matchup Wednesday afternoon.
Hear about the Week Nine showdown, which includes a wealth of talent including Ontario QB Bodpegn Miller, an Ohio State commit, running back Mason Vantilburg, Shelby QB Brayden DeVito and receiver Brady Bowman, among others.
Below is the group’s full discussion. Gray will have a game story available late Friday evening, along with photos and video highlights.
Listen:
Watch:
Playoff bids secured
Both the Ontario and Shelby have secured playoff bids, according to computer ratings maven Joe Eitel.
However, the pair’s game Friday will almost certainly determine the MOAC championship.
The victor also will inherit a windfall of computer points. The Warriors are second in Region 14 of Division IV, while the Whippets are third.
When all is said and done, Friday’s game could be the first of two meetings between Ontario and Shelby this year — the latter a possible postseason showdown.
Below are updated conference standings entering Week Nine.
Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Standings 2024
| Pos | Team | Overall | Conference | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shelby | 10-0 | 7-0 | 376 | 128 |
| 2 |  Ontario | 9-1 | 6-1 | 356 | 162 |
| 3 |  Galion | 7-3 | 4-3 | 279 | 215 |
| 4 |  River Valley | 5-5 | 3-4 | 258 | 234 |
| 5 |  Pleasant | 5-5 | 3-4 | 207 | 196 |
| 6 |  Clear Fork | 4-6 | 3-4 | 183 | 242 |
| 7 |  Highland | 3-7 | 2-5 | 189 | 320 |
| 8 |  Marion Harding | 1-9 | 0-7 | 158 | 306 |
