Shelbyville overpowers Rushville in 45-20 victory in home opener

Shelbyville dominated the line of scrimmage and never trailed in a 45-20 victory over Rushville Friday at McKeand Stadium.

The Golden Bears are 2-0 for the second time in three seasons and have scored 79 points after scoring 77 points all last season.

With freshman Layden Fitzgerald making his first varsity start, the offensive line and senior Donavon Martin kept the pressure off. He carried the ball 38 times for 217 yards and three rushing touchdowns and had two receptions for 40 more yards.

Grantland Fitzgerald also eclipsed the century mark, carrying the ball eight times for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

“That’s what we talked about all week long and I said it on the radio last year … they punched us in the mouth last year and we didn’t respond,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald. “I wanted to be the one punching first this time and they kind of took that to heart. They wanted to do that as well and that’s kind of what we did up front.”

Shelbyville generated nearly 550 yards of offense as Layden Fitzgerald (photo) completed 12 of 19 passes for 180 yards and scored the game’s final touchdown with a 15-yard scamper around the right end late in the fourth quarter.

Senior kicker Rolando Saucedo (photo) was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra point attempts and converted his first career field goal of 18 yards as time expired in the first half.

The 45 points by the Golden Bears is the most since a 41-14 win at Greenfield-Central in 2017.

“The 2-0 feels good with the work these kids have put in,” said Scott Fitzgerald.

Steve Bush photo: Donavon Martin (13) reaches the end zone for one of his three touchdowns runs Friday at McKeand Stadium.

A penalty stalled out Shelbyville’s opening possession and resulted in Luke Coomes’ first punt of the season. Martin finished off the next two drives with scoring runs of five and two yards; Grantland Fitzgerald had a 5-yard scoring run; and Layden Fitzgerald directed a 10-play drive in just over three minutes to set up Saucedo’s first field goal for a 24-6 halftime lead.

Rushville’s touchdown came when Ryder Hatten got behind the Shelbyville defense, hauled in an Owen Zachery pass and raced the final 30 yards for a 55-yard score. It was the Lions’ biggest offensive play of the game.

Martin’s 4-yard touchdown run with 4:40 to go in the third quarter came between a pair of Rushville touchdowns. Eli Pavey picked up a Zachery fumble in the red zone and scored from 14 yards out. Sam Pavey powered in from three yards out on the Lions’ next possession after a Shelbyville turnover.

The Fitzgerald boys both scored in the fourth. Grantland (photo) broke free for a 27-yard scoring run to make it 38-20 and Layden scored his second rushing touchdown of the season to close out the scoring.

“I thought (Layden) did a fantastic job. I am proud of him,” said Scott Fitzgerald, also father to the pair. “There were a lot of plays out there for him to make. He made a couple of mistakes out there … but overall he threw for 180 yards tonight. I can’t ask much more from a freshman going out there and doing those things. He really took control of the offense and was able to kind of be the captain out there.”

Shelbyville begins its final season in the Hoosier Heritage Conference next Friday when Delta (0-2) visits McKeand Stadium. The Golden Bears have not beaten the Eagles since 2017.

Around the HHC Friday, Class 4A, No. 10 Pendleton Heights improved to 2-0 with a 34-0 win over Class 3A, No. 9 Guerin Catholic; Class 5A, No. 1 New Palestine (2-0) defeated defending Class 5A state champion Decatur Central 28-6; Mt. Vernon dropped to 0-2 with a 27-16 loss to Franklin; Greenfield-Central (1-1) defeated Greensburg 34-21; Yorktown improved to 2-0 with a 15-12 win over Muncie Central; and Heritage topped Delta in overtime 13-7; New Castle (0-1) hosts Jay County (1-0) Saturday at 1 p.m.

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