Redmen's Big 4th Quarter Puts Whippets in the Dog Kennel, 20-7. September 20th 2003 By Redmen_Jacks

   Shelby,Ohio-The Bellevue Redmen went into W.W.Skiles Field Friday night and escaped with a hard-fought 20-7 decision in a battle of longtime rivals between the two most tradition rich programs in the Northern Ohio League. The Redmen used a strong rushing performance by Junior running back Greg Keys (unofficially 201 yards rushing) and timely defense in the second half to run its record to 5-0,2-0 NOL while Shelby dropped to 1-4,0-2 NOL.

  Bellevue, trying to prove it was equal opportunists in defeating canines as it did felines last week(Galion Tigers), looked to open the game by striking early. On 1st and 10 at its own 43, Redmen QB Jon Journay looked deep for his intended receiver, but his slightly underthrown ball was intercepted by Shelby's Nathan Schroeder at the Whippet 18.

  The Redmen only waited one play to receive the ball as Bellevue's Aaron Decker pounced on a Shelby fumble setting up 1st and 10 on the Whippet 16. In a first of a few missed scoring opportunities by the Redmen in the first half, Bellevue used 7 straight running plays to march to the Shelby 2. On 4th and 2, Redmen Senior running back Matt Lepley, coming back off of a week hiatus due to injury, took a Journay pitch on a toss sweep, but the Whippet defense rose to the occasion to the delight of the Shelby faithful, and stuffed Lepley for a 6 yard loss. The turnover via downs allowed Shelby to possess the ball on its own 8.

  Bellevue's tough defense forced a quick 3 and out during Shelby's following series aided by Decker's 7 yard sack on Whippet Senior QB Cody Gullett at the Shelby 4. The Redmen earned excellent field position following a Cody Koselke punt return to the Shelby 47. Three running plays by the Keys/Decker combination netted 24 yards enabling the Redmen to reach the Whippet 23. Bellevue's second missed scoring opportunity came shortly thereafter, as Journay's pass as he was about to be brought down resulted in a interception by Whippet "all-everything" Rob Lash at the Shelby 16.

  Bellevue's excellent defensive play forced another quick Shelby 3 and out and punting situation. The Redmen again received great field position following a Koselke punt return to the Redmen 36. Koselke's 11 yard "jailbreak" reception and Keys' 10 yard run set up a 1st and 10 on the Whippet 39. The first quarter expired, with both squads being scoreless.

  The second quarter began with a Bellevue-Shelby football game at Skiles Field turning quickly into a Bellevue-Shelby dual track meet at SHS' Track and Field by each schools biggest track stars. On the quarter's first play, Keys, who was instrumental in helping Bellevue to a 4th place Division II finish last spring, took a Journay handoff, turned the corner, and proved he was faster than any Whippet could offer as he smoked down the visiting sidelines for a 39 yard score. Mike Snyder's PAT was successful, and with only 9 seconds elapsed off the quarter, Bellevue had barking rights at 7-0.

  Following Shelby's kickoff return to the Whippet 36, Lash wanted to prove he wasn't to be outdone. Lash, who aided Shelby to the 2003 Division II Track Title, took a Gullett handoff on the first play from scrimmage, bursted up the middle, and strided off like a Whippet for a 70 yard score. Peter Champer's PAT was true, and just 0:17 removed from Keys' score, Shelby returned the bark at 7 apiece.

  Bellevue wasted no time driving deep into Shelby territory on its next series. Starting from its own 43, the Redmen marched down to the Whippet 4 aided by an 11 yard Jordon Berberick reverse and a Journay 27 yard pass bobble/completion to Junior wideout Jarrid Breyman. However, the Redmen could not capitalize, and missed its third golden opportunity for a score when Keys fumbled near the goalline, and was recovered for a touchback by the Whippets.

  Shelby had a golden opportunity as well right before halftime for the go ahead score. With a combination of pass completions and Lash's running, Shelby marched from its own 39 to the Redmen 23. The Redmen defense stiffened near the red zone, and on 4th and 9 from the Redmen 23, Gullett's pass fell harmlessly incomplete. The Redmen proceeded to take the turnover off of downs, and opted to take a knee to run out the remaining seconds. Bellevue, seemingly heavy favorites, was in a dogfight with the halftime score of 7-7.

  The third quarter saw Shelby opting to use its top dog churning out yards and clock to frustrate the Redmen. Starting in excellent field position on its 40, Shelby turned to Lash for 7 straight plays as the Whippets moved to the Redmen 19. The two big plays in the drive were runs of 15 and 18 by Whippet #1. With Bellevue being threatened in its red zone, the defense tightened, and two pass attempts from Gullett intended for Lash on 3rd and 4th downs resulted in incompletions and a turnover on downs.

  Shelby did not take long to receive the ball following a 3 and out Redmen offensive series. Shelby's Jonathon Gurney returned Keys' punt to the Whippet 39, and the offense used Lash's strong running and a couple timely pass completions from Gullett to favorite receiver Zach Thurman to methodically move the ball to the Redmen 21. With the Redmen defense threatened yet again near the red zone, it buckled down, and escaped when a 4th and 4 Gullett pass intended for Thurman fell incomplete.

  Both squads ended the 3rd quarter/began the 4th quarter with short drives, and each punter shanking their attempts. The latter by Shelby's punter enabled Bellevue's best field position in the second half on its own 47. On the first play from scrimmage, Keys ran in from 53 yards for a score only to be called back via a Redmen clip. The Redmen were not to be denied as Keys ran for 9 yards, a Journay pass to Berberick deflected off of Lash's hands into #83, resulting in a huge 36 yard pass completion to the Whippet 18. Shelby's defense stiffened temporarily as it forced a Redmen 4th and 7 situation at the Whippet 15. An equally huge Journay to Koselke 11 yard pass completion kept Bellevue's drive alive at the Shelby 4. Keys took the ensuing handoff, and hit paydirt. Snyder tacked on the PAT, and at 8:50 in the 4th quarter, Bellevue had a much needed 14-7 advantage.

  Bellevue used the momentum it seized and continued playing inspired defense. The Redmen forced Shelby to punt after 5 offensive plays, but the Shelby punter redeemed himself by pinning the Redmen back on its own 10. Bellevue did not panick, and displayed its offensive muscle by a 7 play, 90 yard drive. The highlight of the drive was an electrifying 63 yard sprint by Keys down the visiting sidelines. The PAT attempt failed due to an errant snap, but at 3:17 in the 4th, Bellevue's cushion grew to the eventual final score, 20-7.

  Shelby's two score deficit forced it to throw on its last series. The Redmen defense rose to the challenge as it had most of the evening, and forced 3 straight pass incompletions from Gullett intended for Thurman. The Redmen received the ball on downs, and after two Keys runs netting 14 yard to the Whippet 7, Journay took the knee to run out the clock.

  Bellevue's victory sets up a mid-season showdown next Friday night as it takes on the undefeated Willard Flashes at BAF. Shelby returns to action as well slated for Friday, as it travels to the Upper Sandusky Rams.