Junior running back Robert Bailey rushed for 178 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Golden Eagles’ playoff win on Friday night. (Post Photo by Gary Johnson)
Shelbyville Central quarter is lifted up by offensive lineman Tanner Turrentine after scoring on a 63-yard TD run in playoff win Friday night. (Post Photo by Gary Johnson)
Jackson Themm makes a big stop on Hillsboro running back Brayden Hightower for a short gain. (Post Photo by Gary Johnson)
By GARY JOHNSON
Sports Writer
SHELBYVILLE — It was a dominating performance on both sides of the ball as Shelbyville Central rolled past visiting Hillsboro 42-9 in the opening round of the TSSAA State Playoffs on Friday night.
The Golden Eagles (10-1) host Nolensville (7-4) in the second round of the Class 5-A playoffs on Friday night at 7.
Nolensville defeated Tullahoma 23-14 to advance.
“We stalled early on offense but the defense got a stop and we were off to the races from there,” Shelbyville Central coach Jud Dryden said.
“The overall flow of the game was in our favor the whole game, which is good.”
The Golden Eagles had four different players score a touchdown and collected 433 yards of total offense,
rushing for 333 yards while passing for 101.
“We’ve had consistent development throughout the season on offense, especially with our young guys. We’ve got a number of young guys that touch the ball a lot and a very young offense line that have really come into their own,” Dryden said.
Shelbyville Central’s defense turned in a fine performance as well, allowing only 198 total yards.
“We have performed well on defense all season and our play on that side of the football is another reason we are still playing in the postseason,” Dryden said.
“We have some young guys making a difference on that side also.”
The Golden Eagles scored 28 points in the first half, only found the end zone once in the opening quarter, a 63-yard run by sophomore quarterback Steven Bobo.
In the second quarter, junior running back Robert Bailey scored on a 75 yard run, William Bobo hauled in a 61-yard touchdown pass from Steven Bobo while sophomore running back Nate Zimmerman added a 16 yard TD run.
Ben Betzelberger was perfect on the night on extra-points as Shelbyville Central held a 28-0 advantage at the intermission.
Bailey scored his second touchdown at the 8:52 mark of the third quarter on a 6-yard run.
The kick after made the score 35-0.
Hillsboro’s lone touchdown came off a Trey Hodges 12-yard run at the 5:52 point of the third stanza.
John Farag connected on the point after to cut the lead to 35-7.
Zimmerman added a 4-yard TD run late in the third as Shelbyville Central, was in control 42-7 going into then fourth quarter.
The Hillsboro defense got a safety in the fourth quarter to cap off the scoring.
Bailey rushed for 178 yards on 16 carries while Zimmerman had 95 yards on 13 touches.
Steven Bobo threw for 92 yards and rushed for 66.
Brayden Hightower led Hillsboro with 90 yards on eight carries.
“We have continue to grow and stay within out game and prepare for Nolensville. It’s gets tougher every week and we have to to be prepared and play harder every week we advance in then playoffs,” Dryden said.
Hillsboro 0 0 7 2 — 9
Shelbyville Central 7 21 14 0 — 42
First Quarter
SC — Steven Bobo 63 run (Ben Betzelberger kick), 5:31.
Second Quarter
SC — Robert Bailey 75 run (Betzelberger kick), 11:46.
SC — William Bobo 61 pass from Steven Bobo (Betzelberger kick), 9:09.
SC — Nate Zimmerman 16 run (Betzelberger kick), 3:07.
Third Quarter
SC — Bailey 6 run (Betzelberger kick), 8:52.
H — Trey Hodges 12 run (John Farag), 5:52.
SC — Zimmerman 4 run (Betzelberger kick), 1:08.
Fourth Quarter
H — Safety, 0:25.
