The Oceana Echo's Amanda Dodge contributed to this story.
Shelby was dominant on both sides of the ball Friday night, creating a happy homecoming for the Tigers in a 36-12 victory over Muskegon Catholic.
The Tigers outgained the visiting Crusaders 431-151 and allowed only five first downs on defense all night, cruising to the win.
Catholic did not make a single pass attempt in the game, and Shelby's dominance in time of possession was such that the Crusaders only ran 30 plays total.
Tigers' coach Jacob Tumele said that his team did well to bounce back from holding penalties early in the game to keep the offense moving.
"I'm really excited for our seniors that put a ton of time in," Tumele said. "The really big thing that I'm really excited about is, some of those holding penalties that got us behind the chains, our kids responded. That's something where, from week one, our response would not be the greatest, but where we're at right now, we have the right mindset right now. We have the right response, and that's the most exciting thing."
Shelby (3-4) quickly got its offense moving to start the game, getting in the end zone on two straight offensive possessions, both on the ground. Elijah Dashiell opened the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown run, and Jaylin Henderson went 16 yards to pay dirt on the Tigers' second drive.
Henderson sparked that first drive with a 41-yard run. The Tigers got to the two-yard line after Muskegon Catholic jumped offsides on fourth-and-1, then got in the end zone despite a holding penalty on first down.
The second possession saw Brody Fessenden rip off a 36-yard run and Henderson later found Dashell for a 30-yard pass to set up the touchdown.
Henderson was efficient on his eight pass attempts, completing five for 94 yards and a score. The senior quarterback also ran for 141 yards, and backfield partner Fessenden had a team-high 168, outgaining the Crusaders by himself. Fessenden got in the end zone twice, catching a short pass from Dashiell and bulling in for a two-yard score to cap things off late in the game.
Shelby's air attack, Tumele said, is vital to helping unlock the running game for its two senior standouts.
"We were letting Jaylin be Jaylin and be able to throw the ball a little bit," Tumele said. "We have that ability to throw the ball and push the ball vertically downfield that teams do have to respect against us. When they try to load the box like Muskegon Catholic was doing and a lot of the teams we see do, we do have the ability to air the football out."
Dashiell added 88 yards of offense - 62 receiving, 26 rushing - and Ashton Moore caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Henderson. Tumele also credited tight end Peyton Brown with "unsung hero work" blocking, helping set up the rest of the team for success. On defense, Henderson led with five solo tackles, and Moore had four. Fessenden had two tackles for loss.
The win set up Shelby for its annual rivalry showdown against Hart - a game that will take on even more significance this season, as it marks the final home game for the Pirates on their current field. Following the season, the school will begin work on an athletic complex renovation that will prevent Hart from playing a game at home in 2027. (Plans have not yet been announced for where the Pirates might play scheduled home games next season.)
The rivalry contest will not be a conference game for the first time since the West Michigan Conference was formed, as Hart is playing in the Lakes division and Shelby the Rivers, but that won't change the atmosphere around the matchup, Tumele said.
"A lot of our kids know their kids and vice versa, so the energy will be high," Tumele said. "Our kids, they just get pumped up for that week. We have a great opportunity to go against a Hart Pirate team that other than last year, has really owned the (Blood, Sweat & Tears) Jug for about 5-6 years, I think, since Joe Tanis has been there as the head coach. We have a great opportunity to hold the Jug and keep it here in Shelby where it belongs."
