Eagles challenge 4A power Giles County

Shelbyville Central faces their toughest challenge thus far when the Golden Eagles travel to Pulaski tonight to face talented Giles County in a non-district clash. The game begins at 7:30.

The Bobcats (2-1) are ranked fourth in the state in Class 4A with their lone loss to Class 6A Cookeville.

Shelbyville (3-0) claimed a win over Franklin County last week in the closing seconds.

"We're happy to be where we are right now but I know all the coaches and players feel we can still play better," Shelbyville coach Jason Hardy said. "We've still got to get much better because every team is improving as the season goes on."

When a coaching staff meets to watch film and prepare for an upcoming game they always look for a weakness or an area to attack in the opposing team.

That's been a challenging task for the Golden Eagle coaching staff this week.

"We come in every Sunday and try to determine what our next opponent's strengths and weakness are and to be honest, Giles County has a lot of strengths and I don't think they have a weakness," Hardy said. "They do a lot of different things and usually when you do a lot of different things there's something that you don't do well. I feel like Giles County does everything well. That's why they are one of the best teams in the state."

The Bobcats run a spread offense but have so many different looks and do a lot of different things. Their offense is very balanced and may line up with five wide receivers and no running backs then two tight ends and three running backs on the next play.

They are led by one of the most sought after quarterbacks in the state.

Senior Bo Wallace is being recruited by Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Southern Mississippi and University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) according to Rivals.com.

This season he's completed 47-of-66 passes for 676 yards with 8 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

He's also a threat on the ground, rushing 42 times for 204 yards and a TD.

If that's not enough to drive a drive a defense in sane, add talented running back Tobias Houston into the mix.

Houston rushed for 1,485 yards and 25 touchdowns last year and is averaging right at 100 yards per a game this season.

"When you talk about Giles County everybody brings up their quarterback (Bo Wallace) and running back (Tobias Houston). That's not where it ends. There's a reason they can put up those huge numbers. They are just so good across the board at every position on offense," Hardy said. "There offense is just so multiple with the same personnel that is really makes it hard on defenses."

Defensively, the Bobcats run a four-man front and they pursue the ball extremely well.

"As always, turnovers will be huge," Hardy said. "We've got to take care of the ball and if we can cause a few turnovers along the way that will be great as well," Hardy said.

As far as all the illness that has spread throughout the team, that seems to have run its course for now, but the Eagles have a few injuries that will set them back.

Senior wide receiver and defensive back Michaux Maxwell is still hampered by an infection while junior lineman Shaq Kelso suffered a foot injury last week.