When the scoreboard clock at J.M. McKeand Stadium finally hit zero, Brian Glesing relaxed and enjoyed what just happened.
Shelbyville defeated Richmond, 22-16, for its first varsity win since Sept. 14, 2018, ending a 26-game losing streak.
“I sat back and watched it because that is what it is all about … the kids and our fans,” said Glesing Wednesday evening from the football coaches office.
The celebration was genuine – and unexpected.
“We had kids crying. That was cool,” said Glesing.
Cael Lux carried the ball 31 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Bears played sound fundamental football for the second straight week under Glesing, in his first year at Shelbyville.
There are no tricks assured the veteran football coach. Maintaining control of the football, amassing first downs and not turning the ball over is a simple concept in a game that can be made quite complicated.
“That is the kind of style of football I’ve always been around,” said Glesing (119-95 in his 19th year as a head coach). “It’s ball control … I think our players understand getting 10 yards is the goal. Not having loss yardage plays, not getting sacked or losing five yards on a play is big. Even if you gain one yard it’s better than losing four. Second and nine is so much better than second and 15.”
The statistics back Glesing up. Shelbyville has not had a turnover this season – no fumbles lost, no interceptions thrown and the two quarterbacks, Colton Adkins and Eli Chappelow, have not been sacked.
“If you give up a sack that’s the end of the possession,” said Glesing.
This season, Shelbyville’s offense is averaging 206.5 rushing yards per game, or 4.2 yards per carry which keeps the first down chains moving in the right direction.
Getting 200 yards Friday in the Hoosier Heritage Conference opener against Class 4A, No. 9 Delta (2-0) will prove tougher.
“We have to block their defensive line,” said Glesing. “Their defensive line is quick off the ball. They have some good players up front. They are not overly big but they are quick and feisty and mean off the ball.
“And they are very aggressive. We can’t simulate that at practice. It’s totally different than what we’ve seen the first two weeks. We saw some size the first two weeks and now we’re seeing more athletic guys on the line. It will be a challenge for us for sure because we haven’t seen that yet.”
Delta has allowed 16 points in the first two weeks while racking up 63 points on offense with a strong rushing attack.
“We cannot give up the big play,” said Glesing. “If we can make them earn their yards and not give up the big play … if they score then it’s not the end of the world. If we make them earn it, we will be OK. If we give up those 40- and 50-yard runs, it will be a long night.”
The Eagles’ offense relies on junior running back Abram Stitt (6-0, 150 pounds), who leads the team in rushing yards (231), receiving yards (71) and touchdowns (4).
Sophomore quarterback Kadin Bond (5-11, 170) has been efficient (9 of 12, 169 yards, 2 TDs) when he has put the ball in the air.
Delta’s depth concerns Glesing more than anything.
“They have good football players, that’s the thing for them,” he said. “It’s doesn’t matter if they are throwing or running. They are well coached. They play hard and they have good football players all around. That’s a tribute to their program and what they’ve built the last 20 to 25 years.”
Glesing will not measure Shelbyville’s success on the scoreboard Friday night. One win will not translate into a long winning streak, especially with the 7-week grind ahead that is the Hoosier Heritage Conference schedule. What he will look for is more improvement from a team that suddenly has a little bit of confidence.
“I’ve done this so many times where you start a program in August, and we’re basically brand new, and compare it to what we look like in October,” he said. “We already look night and day so much better than we did three weeks ago. It’s just repetition. We need to practice over and over and over again.
“This is the first week we’ve stayed on schedule because we didn’t have to deal with the heat. We’ve been able to have a good week of practice of just repping things over and over again.
“You can’t get bored coaching football because it is all about repetition and doing the same thing over and over again,” continued Glesing. “We still have a lot of habits to break. We still have some things to fix but we are so much better than we were three weeks ago. We are better than we were one week ago. That is all we can ask, is to get a little bit better each time.”
Glesing hopes a lively crowd returns to McKeand Stadium Friday where Shelbyville Middle School athletes will be honored and the participants from the youth cheerleading camp Tuesday will perform.
“I loved our student section (last Friday),” said Glesing with a smile. “That was awesome. That’s what high school football is supposed to be. Of course winning helps and being in football games helps, but I want the whole school and everyone to be a part of it. That’s what Friday nights are supposed to be.”
Kickoff at McKeand Stadium is slated for 7:30 p.m.
