Golden Bears travel to Rushville seeking another 2-0 start

Shelbyville's oldest rival stands in the way of the football program's second consecutive 2-0 start to a season.

The Golden Bears, a 36-14 winner over Greensburg in week one, travels east Friday to Rushville, who suffered a 42-26 home loss to Milan, for a Hinshaw Field clash with the Lions.

The two programs have met 82 times since 1927. The Lions won the first two meetings, 12-0 and 13-6. Shelbyville holds an overall advantage of 47-34-1.

“I think the first time we didn’t want to give up that matchup,” said Fitzgerald referencing the two programs not playing each other from 2013 through 2021. Fitzgerald was an assistant coach with the Golden Bears for five of those years. “They decided they wanted to go a different direction after joining the EIAC (Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference). Luckily, we were able to hook back up again.

“It’s good for both communities. It creates some excitement around the programs and you usually get a few more people out at those games.”

Rushville won the reunion game in 2022, 41-39. The Golden Bears prevailed in 2023 under Fitzgerald, 26-14.

Prior to 2013, the Lions and Golden Bears had just six seasons – 1963, 1964, 1979, 1994, 1995 and 1996 – when they did not play.

Rushville quarterback Nick Jarman put the ball in the air 48 times in the 2023 meeting, completing 26 for 325 yards. The Lions looked like a much more ground-oriented team in their week one loss to Milan.

“They are not the fast-paced spread (offense). They were unbalanced, wing-T and double tight really trying to power the ball right at you,” said Fitzgerald (photo) of what he saw on film.

Rushville amassed 182 yards rushing in the loss and threw for just 65 yards. Jarman was injured late in the loss and sophomore Owen Zachary took over for the senior but completed just 1 of 5 attempts for 10 yards. 

What Rushville will provide offensively is a greater challenge than Greensburg showed in the home opener at McKeand Stadium. The Pirates did not have a speed element that put pressure on the Golden Bears’ defense.

“Their skills kids definitely have some good speed,” said Fitzgerald of Rushville. “We have to make sure we shore that up. There were a couple of things we were doing that we felt like we can practice this and keep the edge a little bit. There were a couple of times (against Greensburg) where I felt like we had the edge and there might have been a little extra grabbing of the jerseys on the outside and we just didn’t get those calls on Friday night.”

Shelbyville’s defensive line did a great job occupying the Greensburg offensive line which allowed starting linebackers Brayden Schultz and Julian Eads (photo) to combine for 25 total tackles, including eight for a loss of yardage.

“We were bringing them in different ways, allowing them to have their reads but yet when they saw their reads they were able to come downhill and get it,” said Fitzgerald. “That’s what they will have to do this week too. It’s going to be a more physical ball game.”

Defensive lineman Michael Creech (photo) finished with eight total tackles and a fumble recovery. Schultz and defensive lineman Avery Murnan each had a quarterback sack.

“We all work together. Without this defensive line, the defense won’t work,” said Schultz (photo) in a postgame radio interview Friday with GIANT fm. “These guys went out there and played their hearts out which opened up gaps for me and Julian and that’s what made us look good out there.”

Sophomore starting quarterback Tyler Gwinnup finished 9 of 16 passing in his varsity debut with 138 yards and two touchdowns. Grantland Fitzgerald was his favorite target, pulling in five catches for 56 yards.

Donavon Martin racked up a career high 225 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns.

The end of August has brought mid-summer temperatures back to central Indiana forcing the Golden Bears to alter their preparation schedule. Fitzgerald scheduled night practices Tuesday and Wednesday under the McKeand Stadium lights to avoid the heat wave.

There is no word yet if Friday’s expected kickoff at 7 p.m. will be pushed back 30 minutes to an hour to allow for cooler temperatures.

Shelbyville at Rushville

Site: Hinshaw Stadium in Rushville.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Broadcast: The GIANT fm pre-game show will air live from Hinshaw Field at 6:30 p.m. with Johnny McCrory and Jeff Brown. Listen live at 96.5 fm, 106.3 fm, 1520 am or the GIANT fm app.

2024 records: Shelbyville 1-0; Rushville 0-1.

Coaches: Scott Fitzgerald, 4-7 in second year at Shelbyville; Isaac Sliger, 5-26 in fourth year at Rushville.

2023 records: Shelbyville 3-7; Rushville 3-7.

Series record: Shelbyville leads the all-time series 47-34-1.

2023 meeting: Shelbyville defeated Rushville, 26-14, in the Golden Bears first win over the Lions since 2012. QB Eli Chappelow completed 19-of-30 pass attempts for 306 yards and four TDs Rushville QB Nick Jarman completed 26-of-48 passes for 325 yards but threw two interceptions in the loss.

Sagarin rating: Shelbyville 53.29 (43^rd in Class 4A, 174^th in state); Rushville 45.95 (43^rd in Class 3A, 204^th in state). Shelbyville is a 5-point favorite.

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