SHELBY — Brayden DeVito doesn’t just make his teammates better.
Shelby’s All-Ohio quarterback raises the bar for everyone in the Whippets’ orbit.
The Air Force-bound DeVito will lead No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Shelby into Friday’s Division IV, Region 14 showdown against No. 2 Galion at Arlin Field.
A win would send the Whippets (12-0) into the state semifinals for the second time in program history. Shelby last reached the Final Four in 2017.
The Whippets (12-0) beat the Tigers (11-1) 45-34 back in Week 4. DeVito completed 22-of-29 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 136 yards and three scores.
Shelby trailed 21-20 at the half. The Whippets outscored Galion 17-6 in the fourth quarter.
Playing a kid like Brayden DeVito, I mean he’s as good as it gets. I can tell you he made our defense and our offense better, just trying to attack a kid like him.
Galion coach Matt Dick
“Playing a kid like Brayden DeVito, I mean he’s as good as it gets,” Galion coach Matt Dick said after last week’s come-from-behind 17-14 win over Perkins. “I can tell you he made our defense and our offense better, just trying to attack a kid like him.
“He is awesome just to watch play.”
Galion quarterback Ayden Schmidt agreed.
“DeVito does a lot of things well,” said Schmidt, who moonlights as a defensive back. “He makes really good reads. He can make plays when plays are broken down and he’s got guys all around him.”
What’s more, DeVito has an arsenal at his disposal.
Brady Bowman hauled in six passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns last week. The junior has a single season-record 21 receiving TDs.
Michael Shepherd caught seven touchdown passes during the regular season. Gavin Baker, Luke Blevins and Travis Slone each rushed for more than 240 yards.
“They make my job easy,” DeVito said when asked about the talent around him earlier this season.
Yet the ultra-athletic DeVito is the straw that stirs the drink.
“I’ve known him since the fourth grade. He’s always been a crazy athlete,” tight end Carter Kessler said. “I love that guy. … He does the right thing always.”
The opportunity to play Shelby — and DeVito — one more time is all Galion could ask for.
“It means everything,” Galion receiver and defensive back Kane Hay said. “We’ll go out and play our hearts out.”