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“We still need to keep improving and we’re wanting to finish the season on a strong note at Galion,” remarked Solis after his Whippets rolled over Upper Sandusky 27-0 Friday night at W.W. Skiles Field.
After absorbing a 46-point drubbing a week earlier at Bellevue, SHS rolled up nearly 300 yards in rushing and generated 437 yards in total offense versus the visitors from Wyandot County.
The victory assured the Whippets of a top-tier finish in the Northern Ohio League. The red and gray improved to 6-3 on the season and 4-2 in the conference. The black and orange slip to 3-6 in all games and are 2-4 in the NOL.
“This was a good win after the tough loss to Bellevue,” said Solis. “We looked sharp at times, but there were times we made a number of mistakes. We didn’t execute, offensively and defensively, at times and there were a couple of times where we didn’t finish.”
Senior Kyle Bailey had no trouble finishing for SHS as he single handedly finished off the Rams with three touchdowns. He ran 25 times for 184 yards and was on the receiving end of a scoring pass that covered 52 yards.
Often noted as a throw-back player because of his hard-hitting style, Bailey capped his final effort on the home turf with 11 tackles.
“Kyle’s been a workhorse since he first stepped on the field for us,” said Solis. “He’s showcased in an offense that highlights his ability and on defense he’s very intense and aggressive.”
Another 12th grader, Briton Lash, put Shelby on the scoreboard first when he gathered a 24-yard scoring pass from junior Zach Strine at the 7:30 mark of the first period to complete a game-opening 80-yard march.
Lash hauled in three receptions totaling 83 yards as the Whippets avoided being the Rams third consecutive shutout victim by driving and scoring on the game’s first series.
Bailey’s 15-yard bolt into the endzone with 10:10 to go in the second quarter helped make it 14-0. That capped a 77-yard, eight play march.
SHS could have inflicted additional damage in the first half, but turned the ball over twice on interceptions inside Ram territory, including once in the endzone. Right before halftime the red and gray also turned the ball over on downs at the US five.
“We have to be able to finish drives,” emphasized Solis. In the second half, his club fumbled once and had a drive stall deep in enemy territory.
The Hungry Hounds registered their first shutout of the season by limiting Upper Sandusky to 98 yards in offense.
Tyler Grove’s 42-yard interception return to the Ram three set up Bailey’s three-yard touchdown run with 8:46 to play in the game. The other six-pointer for Bailey came a 52-yard strike from Strine late in the third quarter.
“We’re real happy with the shutout,” said Solis. The goose egg posted by the defense was the first in 21 games, dating back to 2006. “Our defense played extremely well. They stepped up and made plays.”
Jon Champer and Jordan Kick each had 11 tackles for SHS and shared tackling honors with Bailey. Nick Wagoner added 10 sticks and Matt Kauffman added six.
Kauffman and Kick each had 1.5 sacks while Andre Rohde and Wagoner each had a half of a sack. Brendan Argo blocked a punt and Kick had a fumble recovery.
Shelby closes out the campaign next Friday with a trip to Galion.
“We still have one game to go and hopefully we’re not satisfied with just being 6-3,” said the coach of the Whippets.