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For the second consecutive season Westran and South Shelby of Shelbina stand in one another’s way in Week 13 of the football season for the opportunity to go deeper into November when the pair of Class 1 teams meet for state quarterfinal play Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on the Hornets’ home field in Huntsville.
The Cardinals of South Shelby will be looking to avenge its tough 13-6 loss to Westran a year ago.
The win by Westran spring-loaded the Hornets to the 2010 state championship game that went into overtime against Valle Catholic of Ste. Genevieve and a second place finish.
South Shelby (8-4) is coming off a 21-7 sectional playoff win against Louisiana from Monday, while No. 8 state-ranked Westran (10-2) delivered fifth-ranked Salisbury its only loss of the season by winning 14-0.
Robbie Wilt is into his fifth year as head coach of the Cardinals, who average about 213 rushing yards per contest and they have out scored opponents by an average 27-20 margin this season.
South Shelby is part of a highly talented and tough Clarence Cannon Conference that featured three state-ranked Class 2 schools. The Cardinals began its campaign at 2-4, but has weathered through its schedule winning their last six games and are looking to extend it one more.
Running out of the Power-I formation, senior tailback Shawn Bertrand has carried most of the load on the ground this term with 1,534 yards (5.7 yds per carry) and scored 20 touchdowns. Running back Austin Hall has complimented Bertrand with 726 rushing yards (6.2 yds) and nine TDs.
Meanwhile, junior quarterback David Heathman has thrown for 1,048 yards on 69-for-137 passing with 9 TDs and 10 INTs to his name.
Heathman’s favorite targets have been Wes Mefford and Andrew Delena. Both receivers have caught 25 passes for 526 and 387 yards respectively. Hall has 12 receptions for 204 yards.
Wilt said a pleasant surprise to his offensive production of late is centered with his young, inexperienced linemen. He said the work at the line of scrimmage, and good clock management, will play a key role for his Cardinals to get secure a win against Westran tomorrow.
“The last few weeks our offensive line has carried us. Which is pretty amazing considering we have three freshman that start on the line,” Wilt said. “We have to stay out of 3rd and longs. We also must control the time of possession, and keep their offense off the field.”
“Westran has the ability to make big plays if you don’t play sound defense, and that is a concern for us. They have multiple players that can take it the distance on any play.”
For the second consecutive season Westran and South Shelby of Shelbina stand in one another’s way in Week 13 of the football season for the opportunity to go deeper into November when the pair of Class 1 teams meet for state quarterfinal play Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on the Hornets’ home field in Huntsville.
The Cardinals of South Shelby will be looking to avenge its tough 13-6 loss to Westran a year ago.
The win by Westran spring-loaded the Hornets to the 2010 state championship game that went into overtime against Valle Catholic of Ste. Genevieve and a second place finish.
South Shelby (8-4) is coming off a 21-7 sectional playoff win against Louisiana from Monday, while No. 8 state-ranked Westran (10-2) delivered fifth-ranked Salisbury its only loss of the season by winning 14-0.
Robbie Wilt is into his fifth year as head coach of the Cardinals, who average about 213 rushing yards per contest and they have out scored opponents by an average 27-20 margin this season.
South Shelby is part of a highly talented and tough Clarence Cannon Conference that featured three state-ranked Class 2 schools. The Cardinals began its campaign at 2-4, but has weathered through its schedule winning their last six games and are looking to extend it one more.
Running out of the Power-I formation, senior tailback Shawn Bertrand has carried most of the load on the ground this term with 1,534 yards (5.7 yds per carry) and scored 20 touchdowns. Running back Austin Hall has complimented Bertrand with 726 rushing yards (6.2 yds) and nine TDs.
Meanwhile, junior quarterback David Heathman has thrown for 1,048 yards on 69-for-137 passing with 9 TDs and 10 INTs to his name.
Heathman’s favorite targets have been Wes Mefford and Andrew Delena. Both receivers have caught 25 passes for 526 and 387 yards respectively. Hall has 12 receptions for 204 yards.
Wilt said a pleasant surprise to his offensive production of late is centered with his young, inexperienced linemen. He said the work at the line of scrimmage, and good clock management, will play a key role for his Cardinals to get secure a win against Westran tomorrow.
“The last few weeks our offensive line has carried us. Which is pretty amazing considering we have three freshman that start on the line,” Wilt said. “We have to stay out of 3rd and longs. We also must control the time of possession, and keep their offense off the field.”
“Westran has the ability to make big plays if you don’t play sound defense, and that is a concern for us. They have multiple players that can take it the distance on any play.”
The Hornets fly into Saturday’s quarterfinals with confidence having a coaching staff that has been able to put together effective methods of attack both offensively and defensively against their worthy opponent in recent weeks.
Westran has been successful in adapting and overcoming obstacles that have been laid in its path.
And that certainly includes Mother Nature, in that Westran not only conquered harsh and rainy weather conditions during their two playoff games to date but also has only surrendered one touchdown in the process of beating those two state-ranked teams.
Neither 9th-ranked Milan nor Salisbury had experienced a loss all season long until they met the Hornets under fifth year head coach Curtis Jasper.
“We have strong leadership provided by the five seniors, Andrew Baxley, Drake Buffington, Kalob Dale, David Kruse, and Jimmy Wyrick,” said coach Jasper. “Through their efforts and the efforts of the rest of the team we have built an identity based on hard work, physical play, and resiliency.”
Buffington at quarterback and Dale at running back have carried the bulk of the load on offense, mostly running the option.
Dale has rushed 122 times for 1,391 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Buffington has 1,006 rushing yards with 17 TDs. He also has completed 66-of-133 passes for 1,239 yards, 13 TDs and Buffington has thrown just two INTs.
Senior Andrew Baxley has grabbed 25 of those passes netting 551 yards, Clay Ames has caught 18 passes for 315, and Devin Perkins has nine receptions for 198 yards.
“South Shelby is playing great football right now. Like us, they have overcome some adversity from the regular season. Their young linemen have gained experience throughout the season and are playing at a high level. Combine that with some really good returning skill players and they will be tough to beat,” Jasper said. “For us to be successful Saturday, our play needs to be very physical and we must execute our game plans in all three phases; offense, defense and special teams.”
