Golden Bears trending in right direction as postseason awaits

For all the struggles this season, Shelbyville sits in a good position for postseason success. Hard to believe for a team with just one win and riding an 8-game losing streak.

The Golden Bears are as healthy as they have been in weeks.

The offense scored two touchdowns Friday in a 42-14 loss to Pendleton Heights after being held scoreless three consecutive games.

And the Sectional 23 draw set up Shelbyville for an opportunity to extend the season.

The Golden Bears (1-8) will make the short trip west Friday to face Greenwood (2-7), a young team beset with injuries in key positions.

“Part of the hidden piece of this is they have had a lot of injuries this year,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald of the Woodmen. “I know in the last couple of games they have not had their starting quarterback. They have been missing their running back. Last game, I know they did not play their two inside middle linebackers and two of their receivers. They have definitely had some injuries and I don’t know how many of those guys will be back.”

The winner Friday would then be the favorite in a sectional semifinal contest against either Bedford North Lawrence (1-8) or Jennings County (0-9).

“We have to focus on us and win this one,” said Fitzgerald. “I’ve always said week to week we want to be 1-0 this week and that’s our focus. We have to take care of ourselves and the mistakes we are making, not worrying about who we are playing and going out and playing a clean football game and see what happens.”

Sophomore quarterback Grantland Fitzgerald completed 5 of 9 pass attempts at McKeand Stadium Friday against the Arabians and rushed for two touchdowns in just his third start at quarterback this season following the season-ending injury to Tyler Gwinnup in the loss to New Palestine.

“It was big. It was a relief for everybody just to get that monkey off your back,” said Fitzgerald of his team’s first touchdown in weeks. “And doing it against a good defense. Again, sometimes we wait for that good thing to happen before we find that energy and get going. In weeks past, we haven’t been able to find that energy. We hit that screen to Donavon (Martin) and all of the sudden it gave us a boost on that drive. And then we were able to continue down and make a play on fourth down.”

Donavon Martin rushed for 90 yards on 18 attempts and had a 25-yard reception that set up Shelbyville’s first touchdown in 15 quarters.

“If we can execute on both sides of the ball … not shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties or dropped snaps or turnovers, those things that have kind of killed us on first downs … if we can continue to move the ball, move the chains and keep our offense on the field, that’s the goal to try and win a football game,” said coach Fitzgerald.

Grantland Fitzgerald and Donavon Martin will again the direct the offense that will add junior Gavin Reed back into the wide receiver mix after being injured in the season-opening win over Greensburg.

“That will be a good boost for us to get another playmaker back,” said Fitzgerald.

Greenwood has played without starting quarterback Ayden Houseman the last two weeks which has limited the Woodmen’s ability to throw the ball downfield. The junior has completed 37 of 76 passing attempts for 647 yards and seven touchdowns.

Sophomore Parker Jarboe is more of a running threat when he is under center. He has completed just 19 of 47 passes for 270 yards and six interceptions.

Gunner Ruppert leads Greenwood in rushing yards (930) and rushing touchdowns (9) but has only played six games.

Houseman has rushed for seven touchdowns and 301 yards.

Anthony Scaramazzo (384 rushing yards) is another dangerous threat.

Sophomores Davion Jones and Benjamin Hommell have combined for 711 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

“They are a big physical team with what they have up front,” said Fitzgerald (photo). “They have some size up front and the linemen move very well.

“They are very similar to us in that week to week they are facing very good competition. They are definitely battle tested. We will have to come ready to play.”

On Tuesday, the Greenwood school corporation announced it has accepted an offer to join the Hoosier Legends Conference. Shelbyville announced its acceptance of the same offer one week earlier.

The Woodmen and Golden Bears will likely go on the regular-season football schedule in 2026.

Steve Bush photos.

Shelbyville at Greenwood

Site: Woodman Field.

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Broadcast: The GIANT fm pre-game show will air live from Greenwood High School with Mark Drake and Jeff Brown at 6 p.m. Listen live at 96.5 fm, 106.3 fm, 1520 am or online at GIANT.fm.

Tickets: Digital only at Greenwood High School. Purchase tickets in advance at public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=98518

2024 records: Shelbyville 1-8; Greenwood 2-7.

Coaches: Scott Fitzgerald, 4-15 in second year at Shelbyville; Justin Boser, 8-13 in second year at Greenwood, 22-51 in seventh year overall.

Series record: Greenwood leads the all-time series 3-0.

Sagarin rating: Shelbyville 38.79 (207th overall, 47th in Class 4A); Greenwood 45.73 (173^rd overall, 42^nd in 4A). Greenwood is a 9-point favorite.

Sectional 23: Silver Creek (4-5) at Connersville (2-7); Charlestown (2-7) at Class 4A, No. 4 Martinsville (8-1); Jennings County (0-9) at Bedford North Lawrence (1-8).

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