Post Photo by Gary Johnson Shelbyville Central sophomore running back Robert Bailey rushed for 94 yards on a dozen carries with two touchdowns in the first half in the Golden Eagles Region 5-5A win over Lincoln County on Friday night.
Post Photo by Gary Johnson Junior William Bobo had a very impressive game, collecting 130 yards on three returns while hauling in four passes totaling 40 yards in Shelbyville Central’s win.
Post Photo by Gary Johnson Linebackers Logan McBee (53) and Brody Lovvorn bring down Lincoln County quarterback Maddox Franklin for a loss in the Golden Eagles win.
By Gary Johnson
Sports Writer
SHELBYVILLE — In a game that featured a scoreless second half, Shelbyville Central used a 20-point second quarter to help claim a 29-22 victory over visiting Lincoln County in a Region 5-5A contest at the Eagles Nest on Friday night.
It was the eighth-consecutive win for Shelbyville Central (8-1, 5-0).
The win sets up a matchup between the Golden Eagles and Tullahoma for the region championship at the Eagles Nest on Thursday night at 7.
Shelbyville Central is undefeated in the region while Tullahoma’s lone region loss was a close battle to Franklin County.
“This should really be a great football game between two quality football teams. Tullahoma is well-coached and they always play hard,” Shelbyville Central coach Jud Dryden said.
“If we play to our potential, we will, have a chance to win.”
This game was a hard-fought battle and Lincoln County proved it was a worthy opponent. It wasn’t an easy win but once again the Golden Eagles
“Having grit is a great thing and this team definitely has that. As we approach a region championship game and the postseason, we have got to be more attentive to details every single snap of the game. That includes ball security, a block or tackle, a costly penalty or what ever it may be,” Dryden said.
“Lincoln County played well. They are well-coached and their kids really played hard.”
The Falcons got on the board first when Trashawn Jean caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Maddox Franklin.
Gatlin Mole’s kick after gave Lincoln County a 7-0 lead.
William Bobo put the Golden Eagles in excellent field position, returning then ensuing kickoff 34 yards to Lincoln County’s 36-yard line.
Four plays later Micah Threatt scored on a 24-yard pass from Nathan DeLaughter.
The attempt after was no good leaving the score 7-6 at the 6:40 mark of the first quarter.
Shelbyville Central took advantage of a high snap that soared over the punter head as Theo Washington recovered the ball in the end zone for a safety and the 9-7 lead at the close of the opening period.
The Golden Eagles struck again when Robert Bailey capped off a three play drive with a 1-yard TD run. The run attempt that followed was short as Shelbyville Central led 15-7.
That lead was short lived as Franklin connected on a 36 yard TD pass to Hunter Hammond.
The two-point conversion pass was good to make the score 15-15 with 9:02 left to play in the half.
Bailey found the end zone again when he ran 21 yards for the score and the 21-15 advantage,
The Falcons followed with a 17-yard run by Hammon and the kick after the visitors’ up 22-21.
Bobo scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown when he hauled in a 23-yard pass from DeLaughter. The kick after made the score 29-22 with 1:23 left in the first half,
The Golden Eagle defense came up big in the second half with a pair of goal-line stands.
“We put a lot of pressure on our defense, especially in the second half with some of the mistakes we had and mis-cues. They really played hard and responded in big way, especially on those two goal line stands,” Dryden said. “Our defense has some older guys that just don’t want to lose. We just need to play like that right out of the gate and not wait until the second half.”
Rocky Chandler rushed 17 times for 99 yards while Bailey had 94 yards on 12 carries.
Lincoln County 7 15 0 0 — 22
Shelbyville Central 9 20 0 0 — 29
First Quarter
LC — Trashawn Jean 31 pass from Maddox Franklin (Gatlin Mole kick), 8:47.
SC — Micah Threatt 24 pass from Nathan DeLaughter (Ben Betzelberger kick), 6:30.
SC — Safety, 0:41.
Second Quarter
SC — Robert Bailey 1 run (run failed), 11:58.
LC — Hunter Hammon 36 pass from Franklin (pass good), 9:02.
SC — Bailey 21 run (run failed), 5:27.
LC — Hammon 17 run (Mole kick), 3:21.
SC — William Bobo 23 pass from DeLaughter (DeLaughter run), 1:23.
