“We’ve talked about how big of a challenge this is,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald. “They have size. They have speed. They put a lot of points on the scoreboard. They run that option so well. They are so efficient with everything they do. It’s definitely a big challenge.”
Shelbyville, 3-1 for the first time since 2017, travels Friday to Class 4A, No. 6 Greenfield-Central, trying to become the first Cougars team to start 5-0 since the 1973 state champions.
“It is exciting to be 3-1. Let’s celebrate that,” said Fitzgerald. “That’s fine but we have to continue as a team to take that week-to-week mentality. To put in the work this summer and see where we were from the very first practice we had to where we are now and the different things we are doing, it’s a testament to these kids and the hard work they’ve put in.”
Now the Golden Bears face a Greenfield-Central offense that is averaging 47.5 points per game.
“They are definitely more balanced (running and passing) but they are going to be run heavy and the runs come from everywhere,” said Fitzgerald. “They are coming from the fullback. They are coming from a pitch man. They are coming from the quarterback. And he will ride it in there and then pull out and throw the ball. They are more balanced as far as what they can do and what you have to defend.”
Greenfield-Central head coach Travis Nolting has built the program since 2018 around the wishbone offense and saw it pay off in a 7-4 season in 2022. The depth of talent within the program has been evident through the fast start after graduating the top five leading rushers from last season.
Junior quarterback Dallas Freeman is thriving with a trio of running backs, two steady receivers and a tight end that is committed to Georgia Tech.
“With our ability to stretch the field and pass it, it makes it hard for teams to prepare for us,” said Nolting in a preseason interview with the Greenfield Daily Reporter. “You’ve really got to prepare for a multidimensional offense from Greenfield-Central this season.”
Through four games, Freeman has completed 57% of his passes for 572 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2022, he threw for 898 yards all season and eight touchdowns. The six foot, three-inch quarterback also has rushed for 266 yards (second most on the team) and a team-leading five touchdowns.
Sophomore fullback Braylen Benavente leads the Cougars with 409 yards rushing. Brothers Jacob Hinton (17 carries, 177 yards) and Cooper Hinton (16 carries, 153 yards) have combined for more than 300 yards rushing.
The leading receivers are Kirk Knecht (12 receptions, 299 yards, 5 TDs) and Boston Willard (10 receptions, 149 yards, 2 TDs). Lane Wadle, the 6-3 senior tight end, has two touchdown catches.
The Golden Bears cannot afford to fall behind early to a program adept at finishing drives and taking time off the clock.
“I think that’s any week. I don’t think we can get down 21-0 to anybody,” said Fitzgerald. “We don’t want to do that. We want to make the game a little more methodical, like they do, and not allow the big play.”
Shelbyville put away New Castle in week four with a pair of Donavon Martin fourth-quarter touchdown runs. The sophomore ran strong late in the game due to less defensive reps earlier in the contest. That plan will continue this week with freshman Grantland Fitzgerald (photo) getting the start at defensive back in place of Martin.
Middle linebacker Brayden Schultz (photo), Shelbyville’s leading tackler, is expected to return after missing the New Castle game with a hip injury.
Both defenses will be heavily-tested Friday night. Shelbyville’s offense, averaging 28.3 ppg, may have to match Greenfield-Central point for point.
“They are going to come after us,” said Fitzgerald. “We have to be ready to pick up the blitzes and protect our quarterback and make sure we are opening some holes in the running game. There are some possibilities for some big plays in there but you have to pick up everything on the front end.”
The Cougars scored first Friday at Pendleton Heights then saw the Arabians score the next 24 points.
“Pendleton (Heights) got some turnovers and were able to make some big plays,” said Fitzgerald. “Their quarterback was able to run the ball and do some different things. They really used him a lot as a runner. Again, if you get past that first level, that initial surge, which is tough to do, they are very good with what they do up front, there are plays to be had out in the open. We have to get to that point and make those plays. And when we get opportunities to make plays, we have to make them pay.”
Shelbyville’s strength on offense is its own versatility. Martin is averaging four yards per carry and along with senior quarterback Eli Chappelow, they have four rushing touchdowns.
Chappelow (photo) has completed 56% of his pass attempts for a career-high 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Seven different players have caught a pass this season, led by Axel Conover’s 26 receptions for 279 yards and Luke Brinkman’s 20 receptions for 422 yards.
Brinkman leads the team with five touchdowns. Conover, Grantland Fitzgerald and Kohen Myers each have two touchdowns.
Shelbyville gained immeasurable confidence in week three’s 21-14 loss to Class 3A, No. 10 Delta. That confidence will have to equate to performance Friday night to spoil Greenfield-Central’s Homecoming celebration.
“I told the team, I believe. Do you believe?” said Fitzgerald. “That’s what really matters. Do you believe?
“Right now, I can say their attitude is that way. They believe they are going to go out and try and win a game on Friday. We will put our best effort out there.”
QUICK FACTS
Shelbyville at Class 4A, No. 6 Greenfield-Central
Game Time: 7 p.m. at Myers Field at Greenfield-Central High School, 810 N. Broadway St. in Greenfield.
Broadcast time: 6 p.m. pregame show from Greenfield-Central on GIANT fm (96.5 fm, 106.3 fm, 1520 am and the GIANT fm app) with Johnny McCrory and Jeff Brown.
2023 record: Shelbyville 3-1, 1-1 HHC; Greenfield-Central 4-0, 2-0 HHC.
Head coaches: Scott Fitzgerald, 3-1 in first year at Shelbyville; Travis Nolting, 23-22 in fifth year at G-C, 83-50 in 13th year overall.
Sagarin ratings: Shelbyville, 56.29, No. 31 in Class 4A. Greenfield-Central, 78.10, No. 7 in Class 4A. Greenfield-Central is a 24-point favorite.
Last year: Greenfield-Central defeated Shelbyville, 54-7, at McKeand Stadium.
Series: The two programs have been Hoosier Heritage Conference rivals since 1997, when the Golden Bears joined the HHC. Shelbyville is 16-9 against the Cougars over that period with the 2021 game not being played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Greenfield-Central has won the last three meetings in convincing fashion, scoring 172 points.
Around the HHC Friday: Class 3A, No. 10 Delta (4-0, 2-0 HHC) at Mt. Vernon (1-3, 0-2); New Castle (1-3, 0-2) at Yorktown (2-2, 0-2); and Pendleton Heights (3-1, 1-1) at Class 4A, No. 5 New Palestine (2-2, 2-0).
Class 4A, Sectional 23 records: Greenwood, 3-1; Shelbyville, 3-1; Connersville, 2-2; Class 4A, No. 1 East Central, 4-0; Jennings County, 2-2; Silver Creek, 2-2; Edgewood, 1-3; Martinsville, 2-2.
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