SHELBY — Shelby's 34-0 victory Friday night over visiting Bellevue had John Gies looking for the record books.
"When's the last time we shut out Bellevue?" the high school principal asked.
No one seemed to know the answer, but it's safe to say it's been some time. The two schools are longtime rivals from the Northern Ohio League.
"It's a testament to our kids," Shelby coach Rob Mahaney said. "Offensively, we did a really good job of protecting the ball. How about our defense, flying around, making plays over and over, getting stops."
Until Bellevue's last drive against Shelby's junior varsity players, the Whippets limited the Redmen to only 8 yards rushing. Shelby improved to 3-0 heading into Mid Ohio Athletic Conference action.
"I thought our front-7 controlled the line of scrimmage," Mahaney said. "To do that against Bellevue, I thought our kids stepped up to the challenge."
In a game played in a constant, driving rain, Shelby and quarterback Brayden DeVito proved they don't have to throw the ball to be effective.
Because of the conditions, DeVito attempted only 10 passes. He helped beat the Redmen with his legs, running for 153 yards and two scores while also still managing to throw for two more touchdowns.
Veteran Bellevue coach Ed Nasonti was impressed.
"The difference-maker is the quarterback. He's hard to stop," the coach said. "At times, he looked like a man playing against boys. I've been coaching a long time, and he's one of the best that I've seen."
Junior running back Marcus Gumbert backed DeVito with 92 yards rushing and a 2-yard scoring run.
"Those two guys, with the ball in their hands, are awesome," Mahaney said. "Marcus continues to get better. The two of those guys back there are going to be dangerous."
As a team, the Whippets rushed for 251 yards.
"I thought our offensive line and our tight ends did a great job," Mahaney said. "Up front, we showed some physicality tonight, which is awesome to see."
Nasonti said he thought Shelby was more physical on both sides of the ball.
"They also have good speed in the backfield," he said. "They're a good ballclub, and they're going to be tough to beat."
DeVito opened the scoring for the Whippets with a 3-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. On the next drive, he threw a short pass to Nic Eyster, which the senior turned into a 67-yard TD down the left sideline and a 14-0 lead at the end of the opening period.
The score stayed that way until Shelby's opening drive of the third quarter, when Gumbert ran in a 2-yard touchdown.
Once again, the Whippets scored on back-to-back drives when DeVito and fast-emerging sophomore Brady Bowman hooked up for a 53-yard bomb and a 27-0 advantage midway through the third.
DeVito's 1-yard scamper at the 5:52 mark of the fourth quarter finished off the scoring and established a running clock the rest of the way. The touchdown was set up by an interception by Travis Slone.
Shelby's second-stringers preserved the shutout, stopping Bellevue on a fourth-down play at the 5-yard line.
"Our jayvees got a stop to keep the shutout," Mahaney said.
He credited assistant coach Jon Amicone and the defense overall.
"They've bought into the process. They bought into the game plan and executed it at a high level," Mahaney said.
Bowman finished with four catches for 73 yards, while DeVito went 6-of-10 passing for 141 yards.
"He's going to take what he gets," Nasonti said of the junior QB. "If you don't build a fence around him, he's going to make things happen."
Shelby will enjoy this one as it enters MOAC action Friday at home against Marion Harding. The Whippets shared the conference championship last year with Ontario.
"Give credit to Shelby," Nasonti said. "This one belonged to them."
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
X: @MarkCau32059251
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Whippets blank Bellevue in matchup of old Northern Ohio League rivals
Local News
Comments / 0