Yorktown's defense, steady wind gusts and rain all stifled Shelbyville in 33-0 loss

YORKTOWN – A steady 30-mile-per-hour wind, rain and two big runs by Wilson Webster left Shelbyville covered in mud.

Webster ran for a game-high 139 yards and two touchdowns to lead Yorktown to a 33-0 Homecoming win over the Golden Bears Friday night.

The wind gusts, remnants of Hurricane Helene, stifled the passing game. The rain-soaked natural grass field deteriorated as the game went on. And Shelbyville’s offensive woes, even with an altered offensive gameplan, left the Golden Bears struggling to move forward.

Yorktown’s first two drives of the first half started in the Shelbyville red zone and ended with Ephraim Daugherty and Webster touchdown runs.

Already leading 14-0, Webster broke off a 44-yard run before Carter Dunagan brought him down. Two plays later Cole Perdue raced into the end zone to extend the lead.

Webster broke free on the Tigers’ next possession and raced 41 yards for another touchdown and a 26-0 lead at halftime.

“It was just a nasty, sloppy night. Hats off to them. They dealt with it better than we did a little bit,” said Shelbyville head coach Scott Fitzgerald. “They were able to make some plays. They were physical up front with us. We are missing some guys there and then (Brayden) Schultz (photo) went down and we were putting in more guys that haven’t played very much. The kids continued to fight and continued to work and we have to continue to battle.”

Knowing that throwing the ball would be a challenge, Shelbyville prepared a wildcat offense that featured both Donavon Martin (photo) and Grantland Fitzgerald taking direct snaps. The two combined for 47 rushing attempts but only netted 61 yards.

“We started working on it a little bit on Wednesday,” said Scott Fitzgerald of the wildcat offense that took starting quarterback Tyler Gwinnup off the field. “We kind of saw what the weather was going to be and you kind of get to that situation that if you are not utilizing your quarterback, if he is just handing it off, then they have an extra (defender) in the box. It was just a way for us to try and have the box even out a little bit.”

Shelbyville attempted three passes in the game, two by Fitzgerald (photo), with just one completion. The Golden Bears fumbled or did not execute the snap correctly nine times and turned the ball over twice.

Yorktown starting quarterback Sam Tokar only passed twice, his second being a 38-yard touchdown pass to Daugherty, who was wide open down the field in the fourth quarter.

Notes: Shelbyville played without starting right tackle Michael Creech, starting long snapper Bryce Bohlen, Cooper Thoman, Sebastian Monzon and Jasper Hahn due to illness and injury. … Starting linebacker/offensive lineman Brayden Schultz was injured on a defensive play in the second half but quickly returned to action. … Shelbyville hosts Class 4A, No. 1 New Palestine next Friday at McKeand Stadium. The Dragons and 4A No. 5 Greenfield-Central were postponed Friday. The two teams will meet at 4:30 p.m. today at New Palestine.

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