SHELBY — Friday’s Week Four matchup between Shelby and Galion felt much more like a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference title game.
Both the Whippets and Tigers entered with unbeaten records. Shelby outscored its opponents 142 to 33 in its first three games. The Tigers had done about the same, 117 to 20, while averaging 39 points per game.
But someone had to lose Friday night.
Not taking its first lead until the fourth quarter, Shelby (4-0, 1-0 MOAC) willed its way to a 45-34 win over the Tigers (3-1, 0-1 MOAC). It was the closest game the Whippets have been in so far this season.
“We knew that they (Galion) were going to try to be physical and attack us,” Shelby coach Rob Mahaney said. “Defensively, we kind of had to settle in and really focus on doing our jobs.”
By the end of the first quarter, Galion had quieted the home crowd at the Whippet Athletic Complex, leading 14-6. From there, both MOAC squads went back-and-forth until the Whippets capitalized on momentum around the six-minute mark of the fourth period.
Leading 35-28, a punt from Shelby’s Michael Shepherd pinned the Tigers on the 1-yard line. The Whippet defense stood firm and forced a safety to go up 37-28. Three minutes later, Shelby QB Brayden DeVito iced the game with a 10-yard dash into the end zone which gave the Whippets a 17-point cushion.
“I give a ton of credit to our offensive line, tight ends and Brayden (DeVito) and the backs and how they ran the ball in the second half,” Mahaney said. “They really controlled the game and controlled the clock.”
Target on Shelby ‘not going away’
After the Whippets sped to a 49-6 win over Bellevue last week, Mahaney said Friday’s adversity was good experience for Shelby to be tested early in the season.
“It’s good for us to have to answer and play four quarters and do those kind of things,” he said. “We are a team that wants to continue to get better.
“The first thing Brayden DeVito said in the huddle is we have to get better next week. The target on our back is not going away.”
DeVito left his mark on the game in a big way — something most have become accustomed to. The Air Force commit passed for 155 yards and two TDs, not to be outdone by 129 rushing yards and a trio of scores.
Shelby senior Travis Slone and junior Gavin Baker split the rest of the Whippets’ run game.
Slone finished with 54 yards on nine carries and Baker rushed for 42 yards and a TD.
Through the air, six Whippets caught at least one pass, led by senior Michael Shepherd who had six receptions totaling 64 yards and a score.
Below are photos from Friday’s action between Shelby and Galion. The story continues below.
Every week matters
Although they ultimately fell short, the Tigers put the rest of the MOAC on notice Friday.
With wins this season over St. Marys Memorial, Carey and a shutout against Norwalk, Galion gave Shelby the stiffest competition they’ve faced this year.
“I love how our kids fought,” Galion coach Matt Dick said. “We had the ball in the fourth quarter with a chance to win it. I wish it didn’t start on the 1-yard line, but we can’t put ourselves in a safety there.
“As a coach, I have to look in the mirror and put our kids in better situations. But I like a lot of things we saw tonight and I think that we can grow and we can see them (Shelby) again (in the playoffs).”
Galion’s senior QB Ayden Schmidt had a solid performance, completing 7-of-16 passes for 193 yards, 4 TDs and one interception. He rushed for 37 yards.
Schmidt’s top target was senior Jacob Chambers, who hauled in three catches for 130 yards and 3 TDs. Three Tigers split the load on the ground — Kale Early, Camden Kuehlman and Schmidt. Each rushed for 30-plus yards and Kuehlman had a score.
But Dick said his team has to turn the page and get ready for next week.
“Everybody’s talking about Shelby versus Galion, but the next week matters just as much,” he said. “In the MOAC, anybody can beat anybody and if we want to be at the top and keep fighting for it, we’ve got to take care of business from here on out and our kids definitely have that mindset.”
The Tigers will have another chance to prove themselves next week at Ontario. The Warriors fell to Clear Fork 14-10 on Friday.
Shelby will host Highland (2-2) next week. The Scots edged Marion Harding 12-6 on Friday night.
Below are photos of the halftime performances from the Galion High School and Shelby High School marching bands.
