SHELBY — The Shelby Whippets may not have won the state championship game Friday morning, but the team still returned to plenty of fanfare and hometown pride.
After traveling to the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton earlier that morning, fans piled on to the bleachers of the high school gymnasium to cheer for this year’s varsity football team one last time.
The band played. Batons twirled. Proud moms waved larger-than-life cardboard signs with their sons’ baby pictures.
Coach Rob Mahaney reviewed the accomplishments of the team’s record-shattering campaign — from an undefeated regular season to the first state championship game in program history.
“It was an incredible run and what I value more than that is the bonds and the relationships with these guys that I think will last forever,” Mahaney said.
“They committed themselves to trying to accomplish something special. And I think, as we reflect further from today, we’ll realize just how special that was.”
Principal John Gies encouraged the players to remember what football taught them.
“High school sports gives us the opportunity to put into practice what we teach: respect others, play for something greater than you, have self discipline,” he said.
“You put a tremendous amount of work in the season, and I hope that you continue to take those lessons with you.”
During a quiet lull, an elderly man’s shouted his own message to the team.
Hold your head up high!
Whippets thank the community that cheered them
The Whippets went undefeated until Friday morning, when they lost 45-7 in the Division IV state championship game against the Glenville Tarblooders.
During the homecoming, Gies shared that an OHSAA official complemented him on the team’s actions after the score clock expired.
“He commented on how we showed so much class while Glenville received their trophy,” Gies said. “He stated that teams don’t normally stay on the field and actually clap for the winning team and that made him proud.”
While the homecoming ceremony was a celebration of the team, it was also a celebration of the community that stood behind them.
The parents, teachers and coaches who shaped the players.
The marching band that entertained crowds with 15 half time shows.
The cheerleaders who kept spirits high.
The restaurants that donated team meals.
The local businesses and clubs that made donations.
The teachers who rearranged classes on pep rally days.
The police and fire departments who escorted the team.
The coaches’ wives — who tucked in children alone while their husbands spent an extended season under Friday night lights.
And of course, there’s the Shelby community at large.
While the Glenville Tarblooders may have scored more points, it was clear Shelby had them beat when it came to fans in the stadium.
“I think the one thing that has definitely stuck out to me is the community support,” said Scott Rose, an assistant coach and Shelby’s school board president.
“When you go into a stadium like that and the whole side is just packed with people, that’s what tells you everything about our community.”
