SHELBY — It has been four decades since a north central Ohio football team has brought home a state championship.
Galion remains the lone local program to capture the elusive title. The Tigers finished an undefeated season in 1985 by taking down a 12-win Cardinal Mooney team 6-0 in the Division II state final at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Since 1990, Mansfield Senior, Lucas, Loudonville, Buckeye Central, and Hillsdale have all played for the crown, but each fell short and finished as state runners-up. No Richland County school has ever won it.
But the opportunity is back — this time for the Shelby Whippets. For the first time in program history, Shelby punched its ticket to the Div. IV state final by speeding past Cincinnati Indian Hill 42-7 in the Final Four.
The Whippets (14-0) will challenge Cleveland Glenville (11-3) on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Besides their similarities, a deep connection exists between the ’85 Tigers and this year’s Shelby squad. That Galion bunch was led by legendary coach Lee Owens, who happens to be the father-in-law of Shelby coach Rob Mahaney.
“It’s a big deal for the family and it’s a big deal for Shelby and north central Ohio. We need another winner because it’s good for football in the area,” Owens said Thursday. “There’s nobody rooting for them more than I am, I can promise you that.”
During a media night earlier this week, Mahaney said Owens has always been a mentor to him. He said Owens got him started in coaching.
“He has always been there for questions or anything along those lines,” Mahaney said. “It is kind of crazy that 40 years apart we’re playing in the state championship game.”
Owens sees similarities between 1985 Tigers, 2025 Whippets
With sky-high expectations entering the season, Shelby has kept outside noise away from its locker room. But it’s nearly impossible to avoid distractions or maintain a sense of normalcy the week leading up to a state championship game.
Owens said the memories of that week 40 years ago are somewhat fresh. He was back in Galion earlier this year for the reunion and celebration of the 1985 team.
A full replay of the 1985 championship game was shown on the big screen at the Galion Community Theatre. Owens also unveiled his new book, “The Spirit of a Team,” that weekend.
The book, co-authored by Richland Source managing editor Larry Phillips, features a chapter on 1985 Galion quarterback Carl Johnson, today a very successful businessman with Warren Equity Partners.
“I’ve watched how Rob (Mahaney) and his staff operate and how his players handle themselves. There’s a lot of similarities. There’s no question about that,” Owens said.
“It’s football. It’s about chemistry, teamwork, being physical and being tough and they (Shelby) do all those things.”
The Whippets will face their tallest task to date when they take the field against Glenville, entering its third Division IV state championship game in the past four seasons.
Owens said belief is everything.
“There was no way we were (supposed) to beat (Cardinal) Mooney,” he said. “My guys had no idea who Mooney was and I didn’t even show them the tape. I didn’t want to take any of their confidence away because they didn’t care who we were going to play.
“They believed that they were going to beat whoever we played. It didn’t matter if it was Mooney or not. If you believe and your coaches believe, you’ve got a shot.”
The legendary coach said he sees that same confidence in Shelby. After watching the Whippets the past few weeks, Owens said they walk on the field with a sense of pride and confidence.
A chance to share in something special
Mahaney said it’s been nice to have his father-in-law in the bleachers at games throughout the season. Owens has talked with the players and offered advice along the way, he said.
Owens will be watching from the sidelines Friday morning.
“He has been an awesome resource not only this year, but throughout my whole career,” Mahaney said.
One of the oldest rivalries in Ohio high school football history, Shelby and Galion have a rare opportunity to share an experience that few others have even reached. The Whippets beat Galion in a Div. IV regional final at Mansfield’s Arlin Field during their journey this year to Canton.
“Lee (Owens) got there and was able to get Galion all the way to the top against a really good Cardinal Mooney team,” Mahaney said. “Obviously we have a tall task playing Glenville, who has a winning tradition.”
What Galion accomplished 40 years ago and what Shelby, win or lose Friday, has done this year speaks to the rich football tradition of Richland and surrounding counties, Mahaney said.
“It’s two communities (Galion and Shelby) that care about sports and care about supporting their kids,” he said. “Now we have a chance to share in something special that he (Owens) was able to do.”