SHELBY — Few things galvanize a community like a historic postseason run — and Shelby is on the brink of something truly special.

For the first time in school history, the Shelby Whippets are headed to the Division IV state championship game. Unbeaten Shelby (14–0) punched its ticket to Canton with a 42–7 running-clock win over previously unbeaten Cincinnati Indian Hill in the state semifinals — the program’s fourth straight postseason blowout.

The Whippets have been dominant all postseason, outscoring playoff opponents 174–21 while averaging 43.5 points per game and allowing less than a touchdown. They’ve already set a new school record for single-season wins. Now, one more victory stands between them and a state title.

On Friday, Dec. 5, at 10:30 a.m., Shelby will take the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium to face Cleveland Glenville (11–3), a perennial powerhouse and two-time defending state champion. The Tarblooders are making their fifth title-game appearance.

Richland Source wants to help Shelby — and the entire Richland County community — send the Whippets off with all the support they deserve.

If you would like to leave a message of encouragement for the players, coaches, cheerleaders, or the Shelby community ahead of Friday’s championship game, submit it below. We will publish your messages of support before kickoff.

Let’s show these Whippets exactly how proud we are — and how much Richland County is behind them as they chase history in Canton.

Shelby Shout-Outs

Let’s send the Whippets off with all the hometown pride they deserve. Share your message below, and we’ll publish it before the big game.

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Brittany Schock is the Regional Editor of Delaware Source. She has more than a decade of experience in local journalism and has reported on everything from breaking news to long-form solutions journalism....