Stars' scary offense presents big challenge for Golden Bears in sectional semifinal game on Halloween

Shelbyville football’s most complete performance of the season ended a 10-game postseason losing streak and advanced the Golden Bears to the sectional semifinal round for the first time since 2015.

Shelbyville (5-5) will travel to Bedford North Lawrence (7-3) Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

In its 35-14 win over Connersville at McKeand Stadium, the Golden Bears avoided a slow start, established its ground game and stifled the Spartans’ offense.

“It’s the best four quarters we’ve probably put together,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald. “It was solid everywhere. We didn’t give up any big plays defensively. We made them work the ball down the field. Offensively, we scored almost every time we had the ball. We got an interception and were quickly able to turn around and score.

“There were just a lot of really good things. Special teams wise, I thought we were in good spots. The kickoffs were good. We got them down where we needed to. One punt and we got it off. We were ready to go. It was a solid performance.”

To make its first sectional championship game appearance since 2013, Shelbyville must find a way to contain one of the state’s top quarterbacks in senior Dayson Kirby (2,881 yards, 29 touchdowns). He has four junior receivers each with at least 30 receptions and 500 yards.

“There are a lot of guys he will throw the ball to. He will throw it to the open guy,” said Fitzgerald. “If we are running a zone, we have to be really good in our zone areas. We can’t go chasing guys out of our zone and then somebody else comes into our zone. If we’re in man, we have to hang with that guy the entire time. It would end up being a scramble drill where he will turn around and come back. We have to make sure we are staying on our guys. If we can get pressure (on the quarterback) with four (defensive linemen), we need to get pressure with four.”

The key for the Golden Bears is to get pressure on Kirby but keep him contained – and frustrated. He has thrown 12 interceptions this season.

“I think we have some more coverage things that we can do,” said Fitzgerald. “The base of what we are doing defensively will stay the same. I think our kids are comfortable with what we do but, then again, coverage wise we can change some looks.

“The biggest thing is keeping the quarterback in the pocket. We can’t allow our ends to get underneath and him get around to the outside. If we can keep him constrained in the pocket and not get pushed past him, keep everything in front of us, that will be a big key for us.”

With coverage spread across the field, Kirby can rely on junior running back Brody Horton (142 carries, 697 yards) to find space and create. Horton has 11 rushing touchdowns this season.

“They do a good scramble drill with their receivers. They find open areas,” said Fitzgerald. “That is one of the places where we have to stay on because plays can get extended. It’s definitely different than anything we’ve seen this year as far as how much passing there is. And they will run the ball, and we have to be able to be strong up inside.”

Bedford North Lawrence struggled to a 31-26 win over Monrovia on Oct. 10 and followed that with a 20-17 loss at Columbus East. Monrovia’s run-heavy offense bothered the Stars and the Olympians racked up 199 rushing yards and 19 first downs.

“(The Stars) are explosive offensively,” said Fitzgerald. “Maybe our best defense is our offense keeping them off the field.”

Shelbyville has its best rushing offense since 2017 with senior Donavon Martin (photo) nearing a record. He needs four carries to surpass Derek Atwood’s single season rushing attempts record of 243. And with 66 rushing yards in Bedford, he will pass Patrick Ellis (1,294 yards in 2010) for the fifth most yards in a season.

“They like to pack the box. They will have a lot of guys up in there,” said Fitzgerald. “Sometimes there are seven guys on the line. But if you get past that first level, sometimes there is not somebody left. If you can get through that first level, there can be big plays made.”

Shelbyville’s offense is averaging 27 points per game this season because it has rushed for 1,816 yards (20 touchdowns) and passed for 1,575 yards (17 touchdowns).

Junior Grantland Fitzgerald (522 yards, 7 TDs) and freshman Camden Thoman (422 yards, 7 TDs) are the top targets for freshman quarterback Layden Fitzgerald, who also can utilize senior Gavin Reed and sophomore Austin Martzall (photo) to keep the chains moving.

“We have to do what we do and do it really well,” said coach Fitzgerald. “They like to create pressure. They do a very good job of trying to play on our side of the line of scrimmage. We have to make sure we are being physical up front. That’s what it will come down to for us, who can be more physical.

“If we can be more physical offensively and continue to run the ball and run the clock, take the ball out of their hands offensively, that will be to our advantage.”

In 99 years of football at Shelbyville, the program has never won a sectional title. Prior to this year, the Golden Bears won just seven games since a 7-win season in 2017. A missed 2-point conversion attempt in overtime at Greenfield-Central on Sept. 19 kept Shelbyville from being 6-4 right now.

The influx of a successful freshman class combined with a dedicated effort in the offseason in the weight room has built a strong bond from the senior class on down, which has become evident on Friday nights.

“You can look at the guys and see they are excited about playing the game of football,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s still a game and they are still kids. They should be excited and have fun. You should go out and play the game with enthusiasm and when you do that, good things happen.”

Steve Bush photos

SHELBYVILLE (5-5) AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (7-3)

SITE: BNL Stadium at Bedford North Lawrence High School

GAME TIME: 7:30 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 6:30 p.m.

COACHES: Scott Fitzgerald, 9-21 in third year at Shelbyville; Brayden Tidd, 7-3 in first year at BNL.

SAGARIN RATINGS: Shelbyville, 52.19, 142nd overall, 35th in Class 4A; Bedford North Lawrence, 59.61, 110th overall, 26th in Class 4A. Bedford North Lawrence is a 10-point favorite.

LAST MEETING: In the only meeting between the two programs, Bedford North Lawrence defeated Shelbyville, 42-21 at McKeand Stadium on Oct. 21, 2022, in a sectional quarterfinal game.

SERIES ALL-TIME: The Stars lead 1-0.

CLASS 4A, SECTIONAL 23 PAIRINGS: Shelbyville (5-5) at Bedford North Lawrence (7-3) and Charlestown (8-2) at Martinsville (4-6). If Shelbyville wins, it will travel to Charlestown or Martinsville for the Sectional 23 championship game on Nov. 7.

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