Treyvion Mathis scored the lone touchdown of the second half on a three-yard run. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
ANTIOCH — Having played a brutal non-region schedule, and arguably two of the top Class 6A teams in the state, Shelbyville Central battled for a postseason berth in the first season since rejoining the Class 6A classification.
Although the Golden Eagles locked down a No. 3 seed, the run came to an end in the opening round of the postseason on Thursday night against Antioch, falling 42-13.
Antioch quarterback and Mr. Football semifinalist Andre Adams simply wouldn’t be denied.
The Bears’ gunslinging quarterback accounted for five total touchdowns on the night.
He completed 17-of-26 attempts for 323 yards and three touchdowns.
He tacked on 83 rushing yards on eig
Quarterback Stephen Bobo picks up a block and fires a pass downfield to Reager Edwards. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
ht carries and added two more rushing touchdowns as well.
The Bears took the game’s opening drive nine plays before Adams capped the drive on a one-yard plunge into the end zone.
Antioch nearly shot itself in the foot on the first drive, totaling three penalties for 25 yards on the drive.
Shelbyville answered with a lengthy drive as well, going 12 plays until the drive stalled in Antioch territory.
After pressing to the Antioch 26-yard line, the Bears’ defense came through with back-to-back tackles in the backfield, setting up a third and 20 for the Eagles.
After failing to convert, Shelbyville punted the ball back to Antioch with 1:00 left in the opening quarter.
On the very next play, Adams connected with Brandon Goliday for an 80-yard catch and run for the second touchdown of the night with 47 seconds left in the quarter.
Although Antioch showcased its ability to score both on a quick strike and a lengthy, methodical drive, it was Shelbyville’s defense that bowed up early in the second quarter.
On third and long, it wa
Ellington Scott (5) drags Antioch quarterback Andre Adams to the turf near the line of scrimmage. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
s Ellington Scott that came through with a key stop in the backfield, bringing Adams down for a three-yard loss.
Although the Bears were deep in their own territory, Antioch prompted to go for it on fourth down, but a pass breakup on a quick slant turned the ball over on downs to the Golden Eagles with prime real estate.
A second-down run by quarterback Stephen Bobo went for 21 yards to set Shelbyville up on the Antioch 10-yard line.
After a pair of short run and an incomplete pass, it was Bobo who found Reager Edwards in the corner of the end zone on a nine-yard toss for the first score of the night for Shelbyville.
Edwards successfully tacked on the extra point and with 7:30 left in the half, the Golden Eagles had cut the Antioch lead in half.
But Antioch stormed back and scored two more touchdowns in the half to double up its lead on the Golden Eagles.
Tailback Evan Davis rattled loose on the following drive for a seven-yard score and after a three and out by Shelbyville, Adams found the end zone on his second rushing touchdown of the night from a yard out for a 28-7 lead at the half.
After a penalty-plagued start to the second half by both teams, Shelbyville came up with a huge stop on its own 17-yard line and forced a turnover on downs.
But with injuries continuing to take a toll on the Golden Eagle backfield, Shelbyville’s drive stalled near its own 34-yard line.
On fourth down, the Golden Eagles attempted a fake put, but was held short of converting.
Two plays later, Antioch’s Colby Benton scored on a 10-yard run.
On the following drive, Bobo again connected with Edwards on a 30-yard pick up between the hashes and on the next play, Treyvion Mathis bullied his way into the end zone from three yards out to make it a 36-13 score.
But Adams wasn’t finished and added one final score in the fourth quarter, coming on a four-yard touchdown run.
Shelbyville closes the season with a 5-6 overall record.
Shelbyville 0 7 6 0 — 13
Antioch 14 14 8 6 — 42
First Quarter
A — Andre Adams 1 run, (2pt. run failed), 7:58.
A — Brandon Goliday 80 pass from Adams, (Adams 2pt. run), :47.
Second Quarter
S — Reager Edwards 9 pass from Stephen Bobo, (Edwards kick), 7:30.
A — Evan Davis 7 run, (Adams 2pt. run), 4:23.
A — Adams 1 run, (2pt. run), :19.
Third Quarter
A — Colby Belton 10 run, (Goliday 2pt. run), 3:56.
S — Treyvion Mathis 3 run, (2pt. run failed), 2:45.
Fourth Quarter
A — Adams 4 run, (2pt. run failed), 8:18.