Shelbyville finding healthy roster as Triton Central arrives for Homecoming celebration

Shelbyville has an opportunity to create one of the most memorable Homecoming nights in the program’s 100-year football history.

The Golden Bears (2-2, 0-2 Hoosier Legends Conference) host Triton Central 2-2, 1-1 HLC) tonight at McKeand Stadium (photo) in an historic first ever meeting between the Shelby County schools.

A Homecoming win comes with epic bragging rights and a first HLC victory that would keep the Golden Bears in contention for the conference championship.

“It’s something for the county and people to talk about. It’s something to be proud of,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald. “I think everybody can take pride in what we’re doing. How each team is playing and take pride in their school and what they are doing.”

The Golden Bears and Tigers are not strangers despite never officially facing one another. The programs have often been offseason scrimmage partners due to their proximity and facilities.

“There for a long time before the summer stuff came into play, we probably got together 2-3 times a summer,” said Fitzgerald (photo), who served as a longtime assistant coach during Pat Parks’ tenure as the Golden Bears head coach. “We were doing 7-on-7 and 11-on-11. It was controlled.

“We weren’t tackling but there was a little bit of aggression in those. We already had a little bit of rivalry there. But it’s always been at the end of the day, shake hands and we’re good. Let’s just go be competitive with each other.”

Both head coaches in Friday’s HLC clash at McKeand Stadium (kickoff at 7 p.m.) expect a spirited battle in front of a raucous crowd.

“I think everyone is excited about it,” said Fitzgerald. “Even in other high school sports, (Triton Central and Shelbyville) have played each other. Yes, this is the first time we’ve played in football, but they’ve played before.

“Our guys know they have a great program with a winning tradition. They have the culture they’ve already built, that we are trying to get to – to have that winning tradition again. For us, it’s more about proving ourselves on the field.”

For the first time since the season opening kickoff, Shelbyville may have all its key players on the field. Injuries have kept Camden Thoman, Grantland Fitzgerald, Kellen Coffey, Kameron Holland and Nolan Cord off the field for key series.

All five are expected to be on the field in various roles against the Tigers.

Fitzgerald (photo) rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opening win over Greensburg. The senior has not carried the ball since then but may see limited touches again tonight. He also will line up at wide receiver where has eight receptions for 111 yards this season.

Holland got the start in the backfield at Rushville and racked up 79 yards and two rushing touchdowns in a week two win. He suffered an ankle injury in the 7-0 loss to Beech Grove in week three which moved Layden Fitzgerald into the starting role last week at Tri-West. The sophomore rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown, almost all in the second half in Lizton.

“(The offensive line) started getting to the spots we were supposed to and that’s what we weren’t doing in the first half,” said Coach Fitzgerald. “We executed better up front in the run game in the second half which gave (Layden) a lane.

“He is a good, hard runner when he has a lane. He’s not quite as shifty as Grantland but he does see the field very well to find those holes, and he has the speed to get through it.”

Triton Central head coach Tim Kegley is concerned about Shelbyville’s run-pass balance. And he knows senior quarterback Tyler Gwinnup has a bevy of athletic receivers to target.

Austin Martzall (photo) leads the Golden Bears with 16 receptions for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson Myers has 11 receptions for 129 yards. Coffey and Grantland Fitzgerald each have eight catches.

Four different receivers have at least one touchdown reception.

Shelbyville’s defense continues to be impressive, allowing just 12 points per game through its first four games. That’s the best start to a season since 2008 (43 points allowed through the first four games).

“Triton Central can run the ball. They won’t be real exotic with what they do,” said Coach Fitzgerald. “It’s going to be pretty black and white. Everything kind of goes through the quarterback (Matthew Wilkins). He is their best overall athlete.

“We have to make sure we are keeping him contained. He has made a lot of plays just scrambling, getting out of the pocket or getting out of trouble and finding open guys down the field. We have to do a great job of containing him.”

Noise could be a factor as well. The Homecoming crowd is expected to fill McKeand Stadium creating a tremendous Friday night environment.

“I think it will be exciting,” said Coach Fitzgerald. “That might be one of the most exciting parts about it. Having that atmosphere that we haven’t had in a long, long time.”

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