Shelbyville searching for offensive punch ahead of road trip to Yorktown

Yorktown’s defense has 11 interceptions this season but stopping the run has proved a challenge.

New Castle senior Caleb Clapp racked up 243 yards on 32 carries last Friday in a 27-13 victory over the Tigers. That should be good news for Shelbyville who travels to Yorktown Friday for a week six Hoosier Heritage Conference clash.

Shelbyville (1-4, 0-3 HHC) ran for more than 230 yards in its season-opening win over Greensburg. But in its last three losses, the offense has less than 100 yards rushing total.

“New Castle was able to control the line of scrimmage (against Yorktown) and move the ball that way and that is what we have to try and do,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald. “This is an opportunity. It’s not the biggest defense but they are very fast. They are quick getting to where they want to get to and they will bring guys from different areas. We have to be sound within our rules and be physical at the point of attack.”

Yorktown (3-2, 1-2 HHC) lost quarterback Mason Moulton to graduation. He threw for 1,718 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, including 210 yards and two touchdowns against the Golden Bears at McKeand Stadium last year.

Sophomore Sam Tokar has assumed the signal-calling duties and has 711 yards passing and eight touchdowns in his first five games, with just one interception.

“He is not the same type of thrower (as Moulton), but he can throw the ball,” said Fitzgerald. “They were able to get into some empty (sets) against New Castle when they got behind but that is not what they really want to do. They want to run the ball.

“They are kind of the same way we are. They want to run the ball first and run some play action off of it. (Tokar) will be able to do some things but we have to stop the run first.”

Yorktown relies on senior Wilson Webster (57 carries, 228 yards) and sophomore Noah Long (36 carries, 190 yards) to spark the offense. That allows Tokar more opportunities to find receivers like senior Ephraim Daugherty (28 receptions, 350 yards) and junior Cole Perdue (17 receptions, 166 yards).

“They have a good-sized line up front offensively. We have to be able to meet that physicality,” said Fitzgerald.

Shelbyville is in familiar territory, facing its toughest stretch of the football season with an offense struggling to be effective. The Golden Bears are averaging 6.8 points per game over its last four games. And has averaged just 5.3 points over the last six seasons against Yorktown, New Palestine, Mt. Vernon and Pendleton Heights – its final four regular-season opponents.

Shelbyville found an offensive spark against Greenfield-Central in senior Wes Bailey (photo), who moved with his military family to Indiana in 2023 from New Hampshire along with his brother, junior Ben Bailey. Wes Bailey was an small school All-State receiver in New Hampshire and stood out against the top-five ranked Cougars in the kickoff return game and was utilized more as a running back.

“The competition he saw up there is not the competition he has seen here,” said Fitzgerald of Bailey. “I think having to acclimate to that has taken a little bit more time.”

In a preseason media meeting, Fitzgerald labeled Bailey as the fastest player on the team.

“He has to be one that has to come along a little bit more for us,” said Fitzgerald.

Ben Bailey (photo) has had success at tight end on offense and is now in the defensive line rotation on Friday nights.

“He is playing nose tackle because he is a big, physical kid that is figuring it all out,” said Fitzgerald. “He may end up being a linebacker for us at some point in time in the future.”

Shelbyville at Yorktown

Site: Tiger Stadium in Yorktown.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

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

Construction Info: There is a construction project at Yorktown High School that is limiting parking for football games. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and purchase tickets digitally to avoid long lines to enter the stadium.

2024 records: Shelbyville 1-4, 0-3 HHC; Yorktown 3-2, 1-2 HHC.

Coaches: Scott Fitzgerald, 4-11 in second year at Shelbyville; Mike Wilhelm, 108-105 in 20^th year at Yorktown.

Series record: Shelbyville leads the all-time series 13-12 but the Tigers have won six straight.

2023 meeting: Yorktown rolled to a 42-19 victory at McKeand Stadium on Sept. 22, 2023.

Sagarin rating: Shelbyville 38.32 (218th overall, 49th in Class 4A); Yorktown 60.04 (123^rd overall, 29^th in Class 4A). Yorktown is a 24-point favorite.

Sectional 23: Class 4A, No. 4 Martinsville (5-0), Silver Creek (3-2), Connersville (2-3), Shelbyville (1-4), Jennings County (0-5), Greenwood (2-3), Charlestown (1-4) and Bedford North Lawrence (0-5).

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