Unbeaten Golden Bears take first step into Hoosier Legends Conference Friday

Shelbyville football joined the South Central Conference in 1936 – 10 years after head coach J.M. McKeand started the program.

In 1997, the Golden Bears departed the SCC to join the Hoosier Heritage Conference. A 29-year run with the HHC came to an end last season.

On Friday, at J.M. McKeand Stadium, Shelbyville will host Beech Grove for its inaugural Hoosier Legends Conference game. The last time the Hornets and Golden Bears played was in 1946.

“You don’t know exactly what to expect from the coaches (in this new conference). You don’t know their tendencies and the things they like to do,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald, now 11-22 in his fourth season with the Golden Bears. “You don’t know what the offensive coordinator likes to call in certain situations and you don’t know what the defensive coordinator likes to call in certain situations. Those things are all new.

“And you are playing a different opponent in a lot of different other respects than what you are used to. It will be an adjustment for our kids at first then we just have to get out there and play football.”

While the Hornets’ roster will be new to Shelbyville, the Beech Grove quarterback will not be unfamiliar. Bishop Moore, a six-foot, seven-inch junior, has faced the Golden Bears at William Garrett Gymnasium and on the baseball diamond.

“He doesn’t move bad for a 6-7 guy, but he is 6-7,” said Fitzgerald. “We can utilize our speed and hopefully get to him quick. You better tackle him low and not tackle him high, which won’t be a problem for most of our guys because we are not close to that height.”

Moore, who is Beech Grove’s leading rusher with 79 yards through two games, has been efficient and effective through the air, completing 30 of 48 pass attempts for 487 yards and four touchdowns.

“They are really almost 50-50 run and pass, but their success is coming from throwing the ball,” said Fitzgerald.  

Senior Tenauri Woods is Moore’s top target with 13 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Kordell Martin has six catches for 137 yards.

“He likes to throw the ball down the field. When they get into those long situations he is going to throw it up to one of his guys,” said Fitzgerald. “He trusts that they can go make a play and, so far, they have been able to make plays.”

Shelbyville’s offense will counter with more offensive yards than the Hornets and the most points scored (90) through two games since the 2002 season (125).

Senior quarterback Tyler Gwinnup (photo) has completed 23 of 37 pass attempts for 357 yards and five touchdowns.

“As we move along, I think he will get more and more comfortable,” said Fitzgerald of his quarterback that missed nearly all of last season with a knee injury. “We have to hit some of those down the field shots here and there. I think as long as he stays efficient with what he is doing, he has guys athletic out in space, they can make plays and we don’t necessarily have to throw the ball down field. We want to hit a couple of those to vertically stretch the defense.”

Austin Martzall (photo) leads the receiving corps with nine receptions for 139 yards. Kellen Coffey has seven receptions (104 yards) and Jackson Myers has five receptions.

The return of sophomore receiver Camden Thoman (29 catches, 480 yards, eight TDs in 2025) is expected in week four after suffering a knee injury in the 2026 season-opening win over Greensburg.

If Grantland Fitzgerald is ruled out for a second straight week with a knee injury, Kameron Holland will again get the starting role in the backfield. Fitzgerald rushed for 217 yards in the win over Greensburg but did not play at Rushville. The senior was testing the knee this week in practice to see how it responds.

At Rushville, Holland (photo) ran for a team-high 79 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Layden Fitzgerald racked up 45 yards rushing and had two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving).

“We’ve told the kids this week, everything is going to step up to a new level,” said Fitzgerald. “Or maybe two levels from last week.

“They understand that. They understand where we were last week. They understand the expectations that we talk about, how to put our foot down and show we are the better team. … This week, we understand it’s a better opponent but we still want to go in and be physical and make sure we put our foot down and be ready to roll.”

Friday is Shelbyville Middle School Night at McKeand Stadium.

Kickoff has been moved back to 8 p.m. because of the warm weather conditions this week.

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