SIDNEY — Rob Mahaney said every kid who grows up playing football in Ohio wants to play in the state championship game.
That lofty goal is now a reality for the Shelby coach and his players.
For the first time in program history, the No. 1-ranked Whippets (14-0) will play in next week’s Division IV state championship game. That dream crystalized after Shelby dominated previously unbeaten Cincinnati Indian Hill 42-7 in Friday’s semifinal at Sidney.
Top-seeded Shelby will play Glenville (11-3) in the Division IV state championship on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
“Pure elation,” Mahaney said of the thoughts racing through his head after the final whistle. “I’m just so proud of these guys. They kept working. They kept doing what they needed to do to get there (Canton) and now we have an incredible opportunity to go play in the state championship game.”
It was the fourth straight running-clock victory for the Whippets, who also set a new school record for wins in a single season (14). Shelby has outscored its four playoff opponents 174 to 21 this postseason — averaging 43.5 points per game and giving up less than a touchdown to its foes.
Senior quarterback Brayden DeVito said this season has been all about remaining level-headed.
“We’ve had to prove people wrong in the past, but this year it was about proving them right,” DeVito said. “We knew we had high expectations coming into the season, but we didn’t let it get to our heads.
“We stick together as a locker room and it shows on the field. I am so proud of this group of guys.”
Shelby powers past Indian Hill defense
Indian Hill (13-1) entered this semifinal boasting one of the best defensive units in the state. The Braves allowed a season-high 19 points in a 25-19 win over Cincinnati Taft last week.
But Shelby proved to be a different beast for Indian Hill’s stout defense.
DeVito, a finalist for Ohio’s Mr. Football award, opened the scoring with a 2-yard rushing TD midway through the first quarter. Five minutes later, senior running back Travis Slone took off on a powerful 9-yard run into the end zone, making it 14-0 heading to the second period.
With 7:12 to play in the first half, Shelby fumbled deep in its own territory. Indian Hill’s Evan Riggs put the Braves on the board with a 1-yard rushing TD, but that’s where their scoring stopped.
One of the game’s defining moments came when the Whippets scored twice inside 40 seconds to play in the opening half.
First, DeVito found West Virginia commit Carter Kessler in the back corner of the end zone for a 6-yard score. After the ensuing kickoff, DeVito returned an interception 43 yards for a pick-six to put Shelby up 28-7 at the half.
The senior said there was an emphasis on applying the pressure Friday night instead of being on the receiving end.
“We’ve played in a ton of high-pressure games, so it helped ease the nerves for this one,” DeVito said. “We just came out here and played.”
The Whippets scored their final two TDs in the third quarter. DeVito hit his record-breaking receiver Brady Bowman for a 37-yard score.
Two minutes later, Shelby scored its second defensive TD of the game. Gavin Baker blocked a Braves punt and defensive lineman Hunter Oney recovered it for six — giving Shelby a 42-7 lead with 3:05 left in the third quarter.
Below are photos from Friday’s Division IV state semifinal game between Shelby and Indian Hill. Credit: Hayden Gray
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Whippets get to ‘live out’ the dream
An Air Force commit, DeVito completed 9-of-14 passes for 112 yards and a pair of TDs. On the ground he picked up 85 yards and a score. Bowman had six receptions for 83 yards and one TD.
Mahaney said those numbers are a credit to Shelby’s front five.
“Our offensive line did a tremendous job,” Mahaney said. “We were able to run the ball when we needed to and hold up in pass protection.”
Defensively, the Whippets allowed just 97 yards to the Braves’ offense, who entered Week 14 averaging more than 40 points per game. Kessler recorded four sacks Friday night and DeVito grabbed two interceptions.
“I was just doing what we try to do every Friday night,” Kessler said. “But it really comes down to my brothers. Kyler Williams, Michael Shepherd, Hunter Oney, they are all in there getting pressure.”
“Brice Sampsel, Sam Gwirtz, all the linebackers are getting pressure and that brings the quarterback to me and I just finished my sack every single time.”
With next week’s state title bout between Shelby and Glenville scheduled for Friday at 10:30 a.m., the Whippets will travel to Canton on Thursday.
Mahaney said this week 3ill be a special time for this team, staff and the Shelby community.
“It’s going to be an awesome experience for our kids. It’s something you dream about,” he said. “Our guys get to live that dream out. It’s pretty exciting.”
Below are photos of the Shelby Whippet Marching Band performing Friday during pregame. Credit: Hayden Gray
