Xzayvier Jordan goes high and makes a contested catch on a perfectly-thrown ball by Stephen Bobo on an 18-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
LEWISBURG — Shelbyville Central mustered up a pair of second-half go-ahead drives on Friday night at Marshall County, but a handful of key mistakes at key moments in the game ultimately cost Shelbyville in a 30-21 loss.
Through much of the first half, the pace settled into a possession-style game, with Shelbyville managing just four possessions through the first two quarters.
And while Week 1 saw the game get away from the Golden Eagles in the third quarter, on Friday against the Tigers, Shelbyville Central executed key halftime adjustments and took the lead at two separate points in the second half.
In the third, the Eagles orchestrated their best drive of the night, marching 80 yards over 16 plays to the end zone.
Shelbyville also rolled the dice and converted twice on fourth down, including an 18-yard run by standout tailback Robert Bailey and ultimately capped the drive with a nine-yard go-ahead touchdown scramble by quarterback Stephen Bobo, which also came on fourth dow
Robert Bailey drags a couple of defenders along as he scampers towards the sideline on Friday night at Marshall County. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
n.
The tide continued to shift in favor of Shelbyville, who forced a turnover on downs with 2:35 left in the third quarter.
But two plays later, Marshall County came through with an interception in plus territory, once again putting the Golden Eagle defense on the field and yet again, Shelbyville answered the bell.
Just three plays later, the Golden Eagle defense got off the field and forced a Tiger punt.
Taking over on the 20, Shelbyville leaned on Bailey to again move the chains through the remainder of the third quarter.
But on the first play of the fourth, Shelbyville fumbled the ball and Marshall County recovered on the 37-yard lin
Stephen Bobo breaks up a pass intended for Kel Hightower. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
e.
Nine plays later, Marshall County recaptured the lead on a 13-yard touchdown run by Aiden Bryant with 7:25 to go.
While the game had been a bit of a slow grind through three quarters, the momentum turned into full-blown shootout as Shelbyville Central responded with a scoring drive to re-take the lead.
Highlighted by a 24-yard gainer by Bailey, Shelbyville capped the drive when Bobo hit Jackson Themm in the corner of the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown pass.
The pair connected again on a jump pass to complete the two-point conversion, giving Shelbyville a 21-17 lead with 3:43 left.
But Marshall County came through with an answer, draining three minutes off the clock before Tiger quarterback Tyler Thompson capped the drive with a two-yard dive into the end zone to put the Tigers up 24-21.
After a return by Xzayvier Jordan gave Shelbyville good starting field position on the ensuing kickoff, Shelbyville appeared to be poised to make a run to field goal range to potentially tie the game.
On first down from the 31, Bobo peeled out of the pocket and connected with Reager Edwards on a 22-yard connection to move the ball across mid-field.
With time dwindling, the Golden Eagles again went to the air, looking for chunk plays, but Marshall County linebacker Elijah Cable picked off a pass and returned it 56 yards to end the Golden Eagle threat.
With the non-region slate complete, aside from an October 24 meeting against Hendersonville, Shelbyville now enters Region 6-6A play on Friday night and will travel to Franklin.
Franklin enters Friday’s contest against Shelbyville after falling to Gallatin 23-20 in Week 2.
Shelbyville Central 0 7 6 8 — 21
Marshall County 7 3 0 20 — 30
First Quarter
MC — Kel Hightower 43 pass from Tyler Thompson (Rodner Rogel kick), 8:09.
Second Quarter
SC — Xzayvier Jordan 18 pass from Stephen Bobo (Jackson Themm kick), 5:49.
MC — Rogel 25-yard field goal, 2:45.
Third Quarter
SC — Stephen Bobo 9 run, (2pt. run failed), 4:37.
Fourth Quarter
MC — Aiden Bryant 13 run, (Rogel kick), 7:25.
SC — Themm 7 pass from Bobo, (Themm 2pt. pass from Bobo), 3:43.
MC — Thompson 2 run, (Rogel kick), :43.
MC — Elijah Cable 56 interception return, (2pt. run failed), :09.