Dragons prevail in 53-46 nailbiter with West Sabine

Playoff season started early for the Shelbyville Dragons and the West Sabine Tigers last week as they found themselves locked into a “win-and-in” situation. Both team’s district record sat at 2-3 headed into this matchup with only one spot left for a playoff berth.

With so much on the line, both teams knew that they would need to bring their A-game. Fortunately for those in attendance, they delivered a tightly contested ballgame with a nailbiter of a finish with the Dragons taking the win 53-46.

Shelbyville found themselves in a tough spot early in the first quarter. West Sabine went up 14-0 before the Dragons were able to put their first points on the board. DJ Barnes had a big night and started early with a 35-yard touchdown rush. Barnes tacked on a two-point conversion with a pass to sophomore receiver Josh Smith.

“[Barnes] is a great player,” said Shelbyville Head Football Coach Jerred Wallace. “This is the first time in three weeks that he’s been healthy. We’ve really leaned on Benny Smith running the football, and defensively, [West Sabine] did a great job of shutting down the run. DJ Barnes stepped up in a huge way for us throwing the ball, running the ball, just being the player that he’s been able to be for us all year when he’s healthy. Having him back at one hundred percent was huge.”

Barnes connected on an eight-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Parker. Scotty Garrett hauled in a catch for the twopoint conversion giving Shelbyville a 16-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Tigers regained their lead with a touchdown and a two-point conversion putting them up 22-16. Parker crossed the goal line again on the following possession after catching a wide receiver screen and weaving through the defense for 53 yards.

With 3:01 remaining on the clock in the second quarter, Chance Gray secured a fumble and an opportunity for the Dragons’ offense. Shelbyville found an opening, and Barnes delivered an 84-yard touchdown bomb to Garrett. The Tigers would squeeze one more touchdown in before the half to leave the score at 30-30.

West Sabine opened the second half with possession of the football and resecured the lead 38-30. Barnes tied things up with his legs on the next possession, this time from 32 yards out. Smith secured the tie with a successful two-point conversion attempt. Once more the Tigers jumped out ahead. Shelbyville found themselves facing fourth and 17 and elected to go for it. Barnes scrambled to his right looking for a man down field, but before he could deliver a pass, a Tiger defender committed a facemask infraction that left Barnes upright with his helmet gone. Barnes still sent the ball down field, but the play was blown dead by the officials, and Shelbyville was awarded an automatic first down via the facemask penalty. Smith punched the ball in to cap off the drive, and Cameron Mason caught the pass for the two-point attempt.

Tied at 46-46, West Sabine made their way to a first and goal with time ticking off the clock. Another costly facemask penalty set them up for an eventual third and long situation. Shelbyville’s defense held fast and brought up a fourth down for the Tigers. West Sabine went for it on fourth and were thwarted by a Dylan Parker interception in the endzone.

With one timeout and 1:03 left in the game, overtime appeared to be where this game was headed. Shelbyville then put together an extraordinarily well-executed drive. Sharp play-calling allowed the Dragons’ offense to march down the field and end each play by stepping out of bounds to preserve the maximum amount of time possible.

Finally with only one second left on the clock, Barnes hit Scotty Garrett on a game winning touchdown pass. Shelbyville ended the game and secured a playoff spot with a final score of 53-46.

The trip to the postseason was certainly special for the Dragons, but they also wanted to provide long-time Shelbyville coach Michael Bill Taylor with a win in his final home game before retirement.

“It’s hard to put into words,” said Taylor when asked about what this win meant to him. “I love this school, I love these people, I love these kids. To play here and then come back and coach has been an awesome experience.”

Shelbyville will face the Centerville Tigers in Dibol on Friday for the bi-district round of playoffs.