Eagles overcome illness, Red Raiders

Winning the first game of the season is always huge but Shelbyville Central's 10-0 win over visiting Coffee County is even more impressive considering the adversity the Golden Eagles, along with the coaching staff, went through this past week.

Injuries had been a problem throughout the preseason but when a large number of players came down with an illness this past week the challenge preparing for the season opener just multiplied the problem.

The Eagles entered the game without 14 players, including six starters.

"I just can't say how proud I am of this team and my coaching staff," Shelbyville coach Jason Hardy said. "This has been the most challenging week as a coach and a coaching staff that I've ever been a part of.

"To get a win in the season opener means the world and that's something we've never done since I became the head coach, but to get the win despite all the injuries and sickness speaks a lot about this team and the coaching staff."

To make matters even worse, senior linebacker Hunter Brothers reinjured an ankle hurt in a preseason scrimmage and missed most of the game.

"It was really tough getting personnel on the field," Hardy said. "We had to put Tyler Weaver in at tight end the entire second half and he's never played a snap at that position. We had to throw a sophomore quarterback (Luke Faulk) out there for his first start and he did a good job for us as well. It took a total team effort to get this win."

Faulk delivered early in the game when he dropped back in the pocket on third and long and found senior Shaq Thompson in the middle of the field for a 60-yard touchdown pass at the 9:07 mark of the first quarter. Angel Jarquin connected on the point after for the 7-0 lead.

That score didn't change until the 10:32 point of the fourth quarter when Jarquin drilled a 35-yard field goal to help secure the victory.

Along the way the Eagle defense caused eight turnovers as the Red Raiders lost seven fumbles and threw an interception.

Senior standout Jovan Jackson recovered three fumbles while Weaver, Quinton Thompson, Logan Holden and Michaux Maxwell joined in the takeaways. Senior cornerback Jaquae Greer picked off a pass.

Last year the Golden Eagles turned the ball over six times in a loss at Coffee County.

"Boy, I know how they feel. It's much better to be on the other side of the turnover battle," Hardy said. "It's says a lot about our defense to be in position to recover that many fumbles. I just wish we would have converted more into points but it was huge for our defense to get a shutout."

Faulk turned in a steady performance in his first outing behind center, going 8-of-13 passing for 104 yards, including 7-of-10 for 93 yards in the first half.

"Luke is just a great kid and all the players respect him because of his work ethic," Hardy said. "He's got some maturing and growing to do but he showed a lot of poise, leadership and did the things he had to do to help get us a win."

Projected starting quarterback Tre Stewart showed a lot of toughness and took a number of snaps in the second half despite recovering from illness.

Thompson led all receivers with three passes for 75 yards.

Shelbyville had a balanced running attack with three players rushing for over 30 yards. Jackson had 39 yards on four carries, Julius Smyth rushed for 36 yards on a dozen attempts while Will Trice ran 10 times for 30 tough yards.

Now the Eagles (1-0) will attempt to heal injuries and overcome all the sickness before Friday's non-district matchup at Warren County.

"We've got to get a lot of people back on the field." Hardy said. To get to where we want to be we've got to stay healthy and hopefully we'll get some people healed up in a hurry."