Red Raiders’ Run Ends, Shelby’s Quest For Five Continues

                The Shelby Golden Lions traveled to the South Point Red Raiders for the second time in three weeks. South Point won the first game 35-15 in the regular season finale. But we have all heard the old saying “It’s hard to beat a good team twice.” Early on, the Red Raiders would seemingly refute that phrase as they stopped the Golden Lions on their first drive and scored on their first drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Jake Alexander. The Red Raiders were primed to extend their lead on the ensuing drive but would miss a 36-yard field-goal.

                Shelby would strike back in the second quarter with a four-yard run by Xavier Brooks. The extra point was missed however. They would snatch the lead late in the second quarter with a Malik Surratt 35-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Green. Chase Hendrick’s extra point was good. South Point would drive deep into Shelby territory but would be stopped at the six-yard line. They would have to settle for a 23-yard field-goal by Cade Ratliff. That would make the score 13-10 at half-time.

                The Red Raiders received the second half kickoff but would not punch it on their first drive. But they would pull ahead on their second drive. Backed deep in their own territory, Scottie Lee would hit Keaton Hale for a short pass that Hale would take 73 yards for a touchdown. Ratliff’s extra point kick made it 17-13.

                The fourth quarter was not kind to the Red Raiders as they were outscored 20-6. Shelby’s Xavier Brooks put the Golden Lions back on top with a 26-yard touchdown run. Jake Alexander would give the Red Raiders the 23-20 lead. Brooks’s one yard touchdown run gave Shelby the lead back at 26-23. On the ensuing kickoff, the Red Raiders fumbled the ball and the Golden Lions recovered. That gave Brooks a chance to ice it for Shelby with another one-yard touchdown run. Hendrick’s extra point made the final 33-23.

                Shelby’s drive for five is still alive. South Point’s quest for a repeat has come to a crashing halt. Shelby will travel to take on Mount Pleasant next week. The Tigers beat the Fred T. Foard Tigers 28-14.

                “I’m elated.” Said Shelby head coach Lance Ware “I told the other guys that I have been part of seven state champions as a head coach and as an assistant. But I don’t know if I ever had a more satisfying win than tonight. They were embarrassed last time we were down here in the regular season. They weren’t ready to play and that was my fault.”

                “There are a lot of champions on this team and a lot of champions on that team. It came down to guts and finding a way to make a play and we were able to do that tonight.” Ware said “We’re going to enjoy this tonight. Get in there and go to work and get ready for whoever we are playing. Thankful to be practicing on Thanksgiving. You never take that for granted.”

                “They got a good team. They got good field position and momentum at times.” Said South Point head coach Adam Hodge “We were in it till the fumble. Everything gets magnified in big games. It’s going to be tough to overcome. But we kept fighting. Our guys played their guts out.”

                Malik Surratt led the Golden Lions with 248 passing yards and a touchdown. Xavier Brooks amassed 97 yards rushing four touchdowns. Scottie Lee led South Point with 159 total yards (112 passing and 47 rushing) and a touchdown. Jake Alexander amassed 86 yards and two touchdowns.