Yorktown scored a disheartening touchdown in the final seconds of the first half Friday and scored on its first two possessions of the second half to spoil Shelbyville’s Homecoming celebration Friday at McKeand Stadium, 42-19.
Quintin Williams had touchdown receptions of 90 and 26 yards and Jayce Key had scoring runs of 78 and 80 yards as Yorktown used the big play to overwhelm the Golden Bears.
“We definitely gave up way to many of the big plays,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald. “It was a slow start for us again and I’m not sure what the answer to that is. We script our first 10 plays that we feel like our guys are confident in and it just hasn’t worked out for us.
“We have to have more energy when we first start. It’s like were waiting for somebody else to make a play and then we can find some energy.”
After a three-and-out opening series Friday, Yorktown took over and went nowhere on its first two plays. Facing third and 10 from its own 10, senior quarterback Mason Moulton hit Williams deep down the Shelbyville sideline for a 90-yard scoring strike.
“Unfortunately we were peeking in the backfield and not thinking about the down and distance,” said Fitzgerald. “We got caught kind of flat-footed and let (Williams) get behind us.”
Two series later, Yorktown had a 68-yard scoring run by Ayden Ewing nullified by a penalty only to see Key race 78 yards on the very next play for a 14-0 lead.
The Golden Bears (3-3, 1-3 Hoosier Heritage Conference) settled in and produced a seven-play scoring drive midway through the second quarter that ended with Eli Chappelow connecting with Grantland Fitzgerald from 33 yards out. The extra-point kick was blocked and Shelbyville trailed 14-6.
Fitzgerald intercepted a deflected Moulton pass on the next series but Shelbyville could not capitalize and got stuffed on a fourth-down run.
That gave the Tigers the ball on their own 27 with 2:07 left in the half. Moulton converted on third-and 12 and fourth-and-five on the series and ended the 11-play drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Williams for a 21-6 halftime lead.
Yorktown (4-2, 2-2 HHC) added two touchdowns in the third quarter and Shelbyville never recovered.
“We talked about it at halftime. They were able to make some plays,” said Fitzgerald. “We had opportunities there in the first half. We had a couple of corner routes that were open that we just didn’t hit. We just didn’t connect and make those plays whereas they did make those plays.”
Moulton completed 10-of-17 pass attempts for 201 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Key finished with five carries for 159 yards courtesy of the two long scoring runs. Ewing (photo, fighting off Shelbyville's Jacob Harker) rushed the ball 93 yards on 16 carries and had two touchdowns.
Shelbyville ended the game with just 63 rushing yards which allowed the aggressive Yorktown defense to get after Chappelow in the backfield. The senior quarterback completed 18-of-34 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Luke Brinkman led the Shelbyville receivers with eight catches for 62 yards. Grantland Fitzgerald had four catches for 64 yards.
Shelbyville is on the road at Class 4A, No. 6 New Palestine (4-2, 4-0 HHC) Friday.
Steve Bush photos.
Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.
