Turnovers lead to loss again for Eagles

Sunday, August 31, 2008
By Gary Johnson

Eagle sophomore Bobby Wilson picks up some return yardage Friday night against Warren County.
(T-G Photo by Gary Johnson)
[Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Same story, different week.

For the second straight game, Shelbyville Central committed six turnovers in a matchup it should have won. This time, the miscues led to a 14-0 loss to Warren County at Eagle Stadium.

The Eagles (0-2) had four interceptions and two fumbles Friday night. It was the exact opposite last week, with four fumbles and a pair of interceptions last week at Coffee County.

No matter how you count them, turning the football over is a huge problem -- and Shelbyville coach Jason Hardy says he's frustrated.

"We worked really hard this week on taking care of ourselves and not killing ourselves with turnovers," Hardy said. "We are just having way too many turnovers and that's been the difference between winning and losing our first two games. Instead of finding ways to win, we're finding ways to beat ourselves and that's got to stop.

"Defensively we play pretty good, our special team play was pretty good and offensively everything but turning the ball over and not putting the ball in the end zone was pretty good."

The Eagle defense kept the Pioneers' offense under control the entire game, just allowing a late touchdown.

Warren County struck first with a 75-yard pass interception return for a touchdown by Kaleb Northcutt on Shelbyville's first offensive possession. The point after attempt failed.

The Eagles were moving downfield and were inside Warren County's 30-yard line before the pickoff.

The score remained 6-0 until the Pioneers (1-1) scored on a 28-yard run by Northcutt with 3:18 left in the game. Quarterback Bradley Steg connected with a wide open Casey Dunn for the two-point conversion and 14-0 advantage.

Shelbyville had success moving the football the entire game, but just couldn't find the end zone.

The Eagles couldn't capitalize on a 12-play drive late in the first half when they reached the Warren County 2 before throwing an interception.

They also had a great chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter when they drove downfield after backup quarterback Tre Stewart entered the game and sparked the offense. That drive lasted over six minutes and got inside the Pioneer 5 before a questionable penalty was called.

Two plays later, Shelbyville fumbled and Warren County recovered at their own 8.

"We have let so many good scoring opportunities slip away because we're just not coming off the football and showing the will to win," Hardy said. "We're trying to mix up plays and it's really frustrating when you've got short yardage and you can't get it done."

Shelbyville defenders Hunter Brothers (left), Jonathan Certain (middle) and Drew Clanton (right) make a big stop on Warren County quarterback Bradley Steg.
(T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]
The Eagle defense has kept the struggling offense in the game the past two weeks.

"Our defense has really been a bright spot," Hardy said. "They are getting to the football, making plays and getting stops. They have given us a chance to win both games."

It's still a learning experience for Shelbyville's two young, athletic sophomore quarterbacks.

Isaiah Washington got the start for the second straight week with Stewart adding to the mix in both games.

"Tre did a great job coming in and sparking us in the fourth quarter," Hardy said. "That's why we've been running the two-quarterback system. Both have looked good at times and then both have shown their youth and inexperience."

Shelbyville threw more interceptions than they had completions, going 4-of-15 with five interceptions for only 56 yards in the air.

Once again, junior running back Julius Smythe turned in a nice performance, rushing for 71 yards on 22 carries. He's rushed for 212 yards on 33 carries in the first two games for an average of over six yards per carry.

Punters for both teams had a busy night, combining to punt the ball 10 times.

The Eagle defense forced the Pioneers to punt six times for a 32-yard average while Shelbyville junior punter Angel Jarquin had a nice game, punting four times for a 37-yard average.

Hardy reminded his team that after starting 0-2 last year, they bounced back, won three region games and made the playoffs.

"We've got to build on that fact; we don't have any other choice," Hardy said. "We can't worry about what has happened over the first two weeks. In my opinion, we've outplayed our opponent these first two games and walked away without a victory.

"This will be a tough week and I'm very interested in how the team is going to respond. Right now I know I'm down, the other coaches are down as well as the players but we've got to put this behind us and come in here and work hard to get that first region win Friday night."

Shelbyville travels to Lawrenceburg to face Region 5-4A foe Lawrence County Friday night at 7. The Eagles claimed a 35-28 victory over the Wildcats last year at home.

Comments

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Its not hard to get the yards on the run when you are the only player to get to touch the football.The same player runs 150 times a game and still can't get it in the zone.They have so much talent and do not use any of it but two players.This team will not win games until they play as a team and not one runner and a quarterback.It doesn't take a smart kid to see that they run the ball 99% of the time and there is only two players can touch it.Its not hard to read they will run and look for the same numbers to run the ball on the same play they ran the time before.Im not sure if the coachs don't have faith in there quarterback or there guys they are throwing to.But these guys are at practice every day and give it 100% and are put in a spot to catch the ball but never threw to.Why have any other players out there?Whoever is the offense coach really needs to consider are you being fair to all these boys the student body and your fans with the way your running the ball and not getting into the inzone.It makes doesn't matter if the same player runs the ball 150 times the next game and fumbles the ball five times if you can't get it in the zone 300 yards mean nothing.But a lose.I can see why these boys get upset they run there route for a whole game and they are never threw to or even giving a chance to catch the ball.

The defense is doing a great job!!!!!Keep your head up, you have carried use both games and your fans see you are in the spot light and are doing a good job playing as a team!!!You work hard and maybe before the season is over the offense coach will learn more plays,and more team members and run them in the game.TEAM WORK!!!!Go Eagle!!!!!

-- Posted by go eagles go on Sun, Aug 31, 2008, at 5:22 AM

-- Posted by go eagles go on Sun, Aug 31, 2008, at 5:25 AM

i feel we have a lot of talent on the offense side of the ball.i feel we need to find our playmakers an get them the ball somekind of away. i no we can't win letting 2 or 3 players run the show i dont think anybody that no football would have any problem stopping our offense.

-- Posted by breal on Sun, Aug 31, 2008, at 8:49 PM