Whippets survive miscues, win 38-12

Daily Globe Sports Editor

MARION — Even in the face of adversity, Shelby found a way to win a football game.

The Whippets survived four turnovers — three interceptions and one fumble — in turning back Marion Harding 38-12 Friday night in a Mid Ohio Athletic Conference contest.

SHS scored on the opening possession and never trailed in the game as the red and gray improved to 3-0 in the MOAC and 5-1 overall with their third consecutive victory.

Andre Hill had a huge night in the Shelby passing attack as he caught four touchdown passes as part of a 15-reception, 254-yard night that added up to a career best. Quarterback Marshall Shepherd completed 32 of 45 passes for 453 yards.

Hill had two of his scoring grabs in the opening half as the

Whippets staked themselves to a 17-6 halftime lead.

Hill’s first reception to begin the game covered 26 yards and the sixth play of the march was a seven-yard laser from Marshall Shepherd to complete a 66-yard march just 1:47 into the game. Shepherd then booted the first of five successful extra point kicks.

The Presidents had an answer and went 77 yards before pulling within a point at 7-6 on a 7-yard TD pass from Brady Wink to Matthew Thomas with 2:42 on the first-quarter clock. The try to tie the game was wide left.

Harding kept the drive alive by converting three third and long situation as well as a pass play on a fourth down fake punt.

Shelby drove to the Marion four but Shepherd had a pass intercepted at the two.

The Presidents didn’t capitalize but their punt bounced to the Shelby 13 and was downed.

The Whippets marched the visiting three and Shepherd was picked off in the endzone with 6:25 left in the opening half.

The two team swapped punts a short punt gave SHS the ball back with 2:54 on the clock.

On second-and-11, Shepherd threaded a pass to Hill that covered 45 yards to make it 14-6 that only consumed 54 seconds.

Shelby would force a short punt and had 48 yards to the end zone with 0:52.

Shepherd four passes before settling for a 27-yard field goal by Shepherd to make it 17-6 at the half.

The second half started with the Presidents fumbling on the second play and the Whippets wasted no time scoring when Shepherd fired a 37-yard strike to Hill for a 24-7 lead.

The Whippets would turn the ball over on their next two possessions and punt on the third.

Harding made it 24-12 when Wink hooked up on an 80-yard bomb to Kaedan Faggs with 24-12 with 48 seconds left in the third quarter.

SHS extended the lead to 19 with a 75-yard drive that was capped by an 11-yard scoring pass to Blaine Bowman with 8:40 left.

Shelby tacked on another TD with 2:56 left by going 73 yards. The strike was a 15-yarder in the corner of the endzone to Hill that made it 38-12.

The Whippets totaled 528 yards in offense and limited Harding to 250. Harding QB Brady Wink was 12 of 34 for 184 yards as the Presidents dropped to 1-2 in the MOAC and 3-3 overall. SHS rocked the first down battle by a 31-11 margin. Skyler Winters rushed 10 times for 62 yards to lead the visitors.

Shelby is back in action next Friday at home against Galion.

At Harding Stadium

Shelby ................. 710 714—38 Harding ............... 6 0 6 0 —12

Shelby — Andre Hill 7-yard pass from Marshall Shepherd (Shepherd kick)

Harding — Matthew Thomas 7-yard pass from Brady Wink (kick failed)

Shelby — Hill 45-yard pass from Shepherd (Shepherd kick)

Shelby — Shepherd 27-yard field goal

Shelby — Hill 37-yard pass from Shepherd (Shepherd kick)

Harding — Kaeden Faggs 80-yard pass from Wink (pass failed)

Shelby — Blaine Bowman 11-yard pass from Shepherd (Shepherd kick)

Shelby — Hill 15-yard pass from Shepherd (Shepherd kick)

She

First downs ......................... 31 Rushingyards .................... 75 Passing yards ................... 453 Total yards ........................ 528 Pass (comp-at-it) ........ 32-45-3 13-35-1

Penalties-yards ................ 3-25 Punts-average .............. 2-38.0 5-25.8

Fumbles-lost ...................... 1-1

Mar

11 48 202 250

6-70

1-1