SHELBY — It’s been an emotional week for the Shelby community.
Last weekend, Shelby sophomore Graham Scott, 15, passed away as a result of injuries sustained in an ATV accident. He was a member of the football team and the Shelby FFA.
The Whippets honored their fallen teammate with shirts displaying Scott’s name and a helmet sticker with his jersey number and initials.
Players and those in attendance Friday at the Whippet Athletic Complex paused for a moment of silence prior to kickoff. Donations for Scott’s family were collected at halftime. Members of his family also walked with Shelby’s captains to midfield for the coin toss.
After the ball was kicked, the Whippets (12-0) poured their hearts into 48 minutes of play to earn a 26-14 win over Ottawa-Glandorf (6-6) in a Division IV, Region 14 quarterfinal.
“I’m so extremely proud of these kids,” said Shelby coach Rob Mahaney. “It’s been a long week for all of us and to come out here and to play this game, I’m really proud of these guys.”
Gallery: Shelby 26, Ottawa-Glandorf 14
Shelby shakes off slow start
Ottawa-Glandorf scored on its opening drive when sophomore quarterback Carson Yaeger found fellow sophomore Deegan Miller for a 17-yard TD.
Five minutes later, the Whippets responded when senior running back Dennis Lafon ran in a 4-yard score. A missed point after attempt left Shelby trailing 7-6 — which remained the score until halftime.
“We needed to make plays in the second half to keep our season alive and our kids did that,” Mahaney said.
The Whippets certainly made plays in the game’s final 24 minutes, but not before the Titans struck on a long pass down the sideline.
Yaeger, who made his first start at QB on Friday, connected with senior receiver Ethan Metzger for a 72-yard score to extend the Titans lead to 14-6.
“It was a little bit crazy,” said Ottawa-Glandorf coach Ken Schriner, who added the Titans’ starting QB was injured during last week’s playoff game.
Yaeger completed 9-of-19 passes for 141 yards, one TD and one interception.
With less than three minutes remaining in the third period, Shelby found success with a big play of its own. Junior quarterback Brayden DeVito hit junior receiver Avery Lambert for a 66-yard TD. Michael Shepherd caught the ensuing two-point try to tie the game at 14-14.
‘Next play’
The final play of the third quarter appeared to flip momentum back to the Titans.
After a fake give to Shelby running back Marcus Gumbert, DeVito pitched the ball to sophomore speedster Brady Bowman — who ran 77 yards before having the ball punched loose on the 2-yard line.
Two minutes later, Bowman took a pass from DeVito 69 yards for a TD — giving the Whippets their first lead of the game, 20-14.
“I had a lot of teammates telling me ‘Next play,'” Bowman said of the fumble. “It happened. Next play. Great pass and great blocks. That’s what a good team does. Next play.”
Bowman continued his stellar sophomore campaign Friday, catching 7 passes for 128 yards and a TD.
After an interception made by junior Brock Fisher, Shelby iced the game with two minutes remaining when DeVito ripped off a 76-yard rushing TD.
“We knew that they’ve got the capability of scoring anywhere at anytime,” Schriner said. “We also know offensively, you can’t score 14 points and beat a team like this.
“Their (Shelby’s) defense deserves a lot of credit for shutting us down as well.”
DeVito completed 12-of-26 passes for 249 yards and two scores. He also rushed for 148 yards and one TD.
For Shelby’s eight seniors, Friday’s win also concluded a 14-game home winning streak over the past two seasons.
“Our eight seniors are kids that have given a lot to this program,” Mahaney said.
“To have such an impact with everything tonight and then to come out here and find a way to win, I think it’s something that they’ll remember hopefully at their 40th year reunion.”
Gallery: Shelby and Ottawa-Glandorf marching bands
Stage is set: Shelby, Ontario to meet in regional semifinal
Shelby’s win Friday sets up a rematch between the Whippets (12-0) and Ontario (11-1) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 15 at a neutral site that will be announced by the OHSAA on Sunday.
Shelby defeated Ontario, 50-36, on Oct. 18 in a game played on the Whippets’ home turf.
The Warriors defeated Clyde 38-7 at home Friday night.
“It’s great,” Bowman said of playing a Week 13 playoff game. “It’s what we’ve been working towards. We’ve got our rivals, Ontario, and we’ve got to be ready all week.”
Mahaney said he knows his team can’t afford a slow start next week.
“Wherever we play it at it will be an exciting game,” he said. “Last time it came down to the end and I imagine it will be kind of the same thing (next week).”