SHELBY — The high-octane offense averages 45.9 points a game and features one of the greatest players in program history.

However, ask Rob Mahaney for the secret to Shelby’s postseason success and the veteran coach will direct you to the other side of the ball.

It’s all about the defense.

“They play with their hair on fire,” Mahaney said after the Hungry Hounds pitched their fourth shutout of the season in last week’s 42-0 blanking of Orrville in the Division IV, Region 14 quarterfinals.

Shelby ranked first in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference in both scoring defense and total defense, allowing 9.7 points and 150 yards per game during the regular season. The Whippets (11-0) one-upped themselves in their postseason opener, limiting the Red Riders to just 63 yards and six first downs.

Top-seeded Shelby led 3-0 after the first quarter as the offense knocked off the rust from the bye week.

“When our offense struggles, our defense helps pick it up and we had their back,” said linebacker Sam Gwirtz, who led Shelby with 89 tackles and 18 tackles for loss during the regular season.

Gwirtz has plenty of reinforcements.

Linebacker Brice Sampsel made 88 stops during the regular season. Defensive ends Michael Shepherd and Carter Kessler combined for 13 sacks.

“It’s like a brotherhood,” said Kessler, a West Virginia recruit. “Everybody loves each other and there’s so much chemistry.”

Shelby’s stingy defense will face its biggest test to date Friday when fourth-seeded Lima Bath (9-2) invades the Whippet Athletic Complex for a regional semifinal. 

The Wildcats led the rugged Western Buckeye League in scoring offense and total offense, averaging 40.9 points and 483.3 yards per game.

Bath quarterback Zach Welsch completed 20-of-26 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 21-0 win over Bellevue. He rushed for 140 yards.

Welsch completed 210-of-299 passes during the regular season for 2,776 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was intercepted just three times.

Hybrid running back Mikey Hale rushed for 1,005 yards and 19 TDs. He had a pair of touchdown runs in the win over Bellevue.

Hale also caught 70 passes for 702 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. Josiah Clark had 73 receptions for 924 yards and 11 TDs.

The Whippets have won 20 straight at the WAC over the past three seasons. Shelby’s last home loss was in Week 10 of 2022.

“Every home game we’re trying to defend the WAC,” Kessler said. “It’s a big accomplishment.”

Shelby’s ambitions extend well beyond Friday night. The Whippets have their sights set on Canton, home of the state finals.

“We all know what the goal is,” Kessler said. “You want to win 15 or 16 games.”