SHELBY — Shelby’s final game of the year at the Whippet Athletic Complex was arguably its best of the season.
Coach Rob Mahaney’s team hosted fourth-seeded Lima Bath (9-3), the rugged Western Buckeye League leader in scoring offense and total offense. But the home team never flinched.
Shelby knocked off the Wildcats 49-7 to reach the Division IV, Region 14 championship game next Friday. The No. 1-ranked Whippets (12-0) will take on No. 2-seed Galion (11-1) for the second time this season.
“I’m really proud of our guys and what they accomplished,” Mahaney said. “The regional semis is where (our) season has ended the last two years. To get over the hump and get to the regional finals is awesome.
“I’m really proud of these kids, but we’ve got more to do. This is not the end goal.”
Before flipping the switch to next week, Mahaney couldn’t look past what this year’s seniors have accomplished — which includes a flawless 21-0 record at home dating to their sophomore year.
“This is a special place to play in front of this community,” said Mahaney, who picked up his 100th career win as a head coach Friday night.
Those wins have come from Mahaney’s time at the helm at both Shelby and Mapleton, where he led the program for six years before taking the job at Shelby in 2019.
Mahaney accumulated 35 wins during his six seasons with the Mounties. The other 65 have come during the past seven seasons with the Whippets.
He was surprised with a signed game ball in the postgame huddle after Friday’s win.
Mahaney said whether at Mapleton or Shelby, he’s always had a consistent group of great assistant coaches.
“To do it like this, it means a lot,” he said. “I’m thankful for these kids and our coaches.”
Whippets play complementary football
Entering Friday’s game, the Wildcats averaged 39 points per game, while surrendering about 25 a game defensively. But Shelby had its own plans.
The Whippets unleashed 409 yards of total offense while limiting the Wildcats to 186. Bath averaged 483.3 yards per game during the regular season.
“It’s a special team. It’s complimentary football. It’s easy to call defensive plays when you’re up three touchdowns,” defensive coordinator Jon Amicone said. “The offense and defense, I don’t think there’s any rivalry but they definitely want to be the best on the field when they’re out there.”
Both units certainly complemented one another Friday night.
Senior quarterback Brayden DeVito, an Air Force commitment, continued to add to his case as an Ohio Mr. Football nominee — completing 10-of-12 passes for 242 yards and three TDs. He also ran for 96 yards and another trio of scores. DeVito also had an interception on defense.
His favorite target was standout junior Brady Bowman, who finished with 172 yards and three TDs. Bowman now has the record for most receiving touchdowns in a single season with 21.
He entered Week 13 tied with the previous record holder, which happens to be none other than his older brother, Blaine Bowman, who set the previous best mark with 18 scores.
“It’s awesome to have it be my brother. I bet he is the one that would want me to pass him too, so it’s just really awesome,” Brady Bowman said.
Receivers Kaden Paz and Michael Shepherd and running backs Gavin Baker and Travis Slone each recorded a catch. Freshman running back Luke Blevins carried the ball twice for 62 yards and a score.
Shelby/Galion rematch is set
After falling short the past two seasons, Shelby is back in a regional semifinal.
The Whippets will take on Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference foe Galion for the second time this season. When the two met in September, Shelby fought its way to a 45-34 win.
It was the most points the Whippets have surrendered to any team offensively this year.
The Tigers earned their spot in next week’s title game by taking down Sandusky Perkins 17-14 on Friday night.
Devito said Shelby has been motivated all year to reach this point in the season.
“We’ve been on a plateau the last two years,” he said. “We wanted to get to the regional final, but that’s not our goal. We want to keep this thing going.”
Below are more photos from Friday’s game between the Whippets and Wildcats. Credit: Diane Bemiller
