Shelbyville banking freshman quarterback can lead the way against Rushville

Layden Fitzgerald has been preparing to be Shelbyville’s starting quarterback for several years. On Friday in the Golden Bears’ home opener at McKeand Stadium against Rushville, the freshman will be thrust into that very role.

Tyler Gwinnup’s season is over after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the second time in less than one calendar year. The junior quarterback completed 15 of 17 pass attempts for 196 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Golden Bears to a 34-14 win at Greensburg last Friday.

Late in the third quarter, Gwinnup completed a pass to Camden Thoman (photo) for a first down but crumpled to the ground holding his knee. He had to be helped off the field forcing Fitzgerald to finish off the win.

Gwinnup’s surgically repaired knee was already compromised from a spring basketball injury, according to Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald.

“We knew there was a possibility of this happening, but the doctor felt he was OK,” said Fitzgerald.

The goal was to get Gwinnup through the season and allow the youngest Fitzgerald (photo) – older brother Grantland had three catches for 95 yards and three total touchdowns at Greensburg – time to develop at the junior varsity level. That plan is out the window.

“The luxury of knowing this was a possibility, throughout the summer and a little bit here at the start of camp, we were getting (Layden) reps with the first (unit),” said coach Fitzgerald. “He is familiar with the entire playbook. Now, does he have some limitations in what he can do compared to what Tyler can do … he does. But we just have to play to his strengths as to what we played to with Tyler’s strengths.”

Fitzgerald’s first series at Greensburg ended with a Donavon Martin fumble. He threw an interception on the first play of his second series. The third ended quickly with a 5-yard scoring run aided by a block from his brother.

Gwinnup’s ability to push the ball downfield was an encouraging sign for an offense that averaged just 7.7 points per game last season. At this point in his career, Fitzgerald is more of a running threat which means the offense will have to adapt to his skill set.

“He has to get the ball out on time. That’s his biggest thing and that’s the big thing whether it’s a middle school quarterback coming up or a JV quarterback moving up, it’s the timing and everything is moving a little bit faster,” explained coach Fitzgerald. “He has to understand his receivers are faster. So now he has to have quick feet, get his base and foundation set, and get rid of the ball just a little quicker.”

Gwinnup (photo) connected with five different receivers at Greensburg, including Layden Fitzgerald’s most recognizable target throughout his middle school career in freshman Camden Thoman, who had a game-high six catches for 71 yards in his varsity debut.

Martin (photo), a senior, rushed 22 times for 110 yards and had a receiving touchdown at Greensburg. More success against Rushville will take the pressure off the freshman signal caller.

Both the offensive and defensive lines played well in the opener with coach Fitzgerald wanting even more physicality from those groups.

“We worked hard on size up front and being able to sustain (physicality),” he explained. “We have to be able to move forward. I thought on both lines we played on their side of the line of scrimmage.”

In 2024, Shelbyville defeated Greensburg, 36-14, then traveled to Rushville and got run over, 28-7. The Lions scored three touchdowns on their first nine snaps and the Golden Bears never recovered.

“We know we have something different to play for,” said coach Fitzgerald (photo). “We kind of came out and laid an egg last year. We want a little bit of revenge off that.”

Rushville has a new head coach in Rick Zimmerman, who is 72-120 in 21 seasons as the head coach at Seeger, Jennings County, South Decatur, and now Rushville. Shelbyville expects similar schemes from the Lions it saw in 2024. Zimmerman will rely on Quinn Barada and Sam Pavey, who combined for 320 yards rushing against the Golden Bears.

“They have some speed with Barada and Pavey inside is a big guy,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s similar to what Greensburg had. They definitely want to get it going on the ground.”

At Milan Friday, Rushville led 6-0 after the first quarter then allowed the Indians 27 points in the second quarter and suffered a 41-18 loss. Barada rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns but the Lions completed just 3 of 9 passes for 56 yards.

Defensively, Rushville allowed nearly 200 yards passing and 150 yards rushing. Early success for the freshman quarterback could be key to Shelbyville starting 2-0 for the second time in three seasons.

“He definitely wants to (be the quarterback). It’s not scaring him whatsoever,” said coach Fitzgerald. ‘He is still a freshman. You will still get some freshman hiccups, some young guy hiccups. We have to understand that and live with that a little bit.

“We will get some positives from him with his athleticism and things he can do for us as long as he is making the correct reads and protecting himself when he needs to.”

Steve Bush photos

RUSHVILLE AT SHELBYVILLE

SITE: McKeand Stadium in Shelbyville.

GAME TIME: 7 p.m.

BROADCAST: GIANT fm (96.5 fm, 1520 am, 106.3 fm, or online at giant.fm) will air the game live from McKeand Stadium. The pre-game show with Johnny McCrory and Jeff Brown begins at 6 p.m.

SHS STUDENT THEME: Country.

COACHES: Rick Zimmerman, 0-1 in first year at Rushville, 72-120 in 21^st year overall; Scott Fitzgerald, 5-16 in third year at Shelbyville.

SAGARIN RATINGS: Rushville 60.64, 187^th overall, 35^th in Class 3A; Shelbyville 61.48, 177^th overall, 46^th in Class 4A. The Golden Bears are a 3-point favorite.

LAST MEETING: Rushville won 28-7 on Aug. 30, 2024, at Hinshaw Field.

SERIES ALL-TIME: Shelbyville leads the series 47-35-1. The Golden Bears have played the Lions more times than any other opponent in the 99-year history of the football program.

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