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Braves set up perfect showdown

Dominate outmanned Stebbins, await trip to 9-0 Tippecanoe Friday.

Shawnee's Alex McCrory blows over Stebbins Jeffrey Simmons as the Indians' Jared Brumfield jumps on his back during Friday's game. Staff photo by Bill Lackey

Bill Lackey Shawnee's Alex McCrory blows over Stebbins Jeffrey Simmons as the Indians' Jared Brumfield jumps on his back during Friday's game. Staff photo by Bill Lackey

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By Brian Plasters, Contributing Writer 12:08 AM Saturday, October 22, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — On Senior Night at Dave Long Memorial Stadium, it was the oldest Shawnee Braves who took charge right away.

Joel Schilke, normally a lineman, scored the first touchdown Friday night against Stebbins, on a 1-yard dive. Then Ryan Mayfield forced a Stebbins fumble, and Nick Hines scored on a 4-yard run.

Brad Jarzab sprinted 45 yards to score, then connected with James Williams and Tyler Sherrock on touchdown passes. Carly Gregory finished every touchdown with a perfect extra point.

And then the second quarter started.

Shawnee led 35-0 after the first quarter and was up 49-0 on its way to a 70-21 Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division win Friday night.

The Braves (9-0, 4-0 CBC) rolled up 535 yards, with an average scoring play of 36 yards. Jarzab scored twice and threw two touchdown passes. He had 157 yards passing in one half, on three completions.

Jalen Nelson scored twice, with a 33-yard run and a 61-yard interception return, both in the second half.

But it was only the prelude to the main attraction next week. Before the second half even started, everyone on the Shawnee sidelines was wondering what Tippecanoe and Kenton Ridge were doing across town.

The crowd “oohed” and “aahed” with every score update, and when the 21-17 Tipp win was announced, it became official: Two 9-0 teams will meet next week in Tipp City.

“They’ll be ready,” Shawnee head coach Rick Meeks said of his Braves, “and the Tipp kids will be ready, too. We have to go up there, so we’ll have to bring our best game.”

The Braves are ranked No. 10 in the state poll and will be playing for their second CBC title in as many seasons. Although playoff pairings won’t be released until after the completion of the regular season, their third playoff appearance in as many seasons is secure.

The last time Shawnee was 10-0 was 1996.

“If I told you I thought we wouldn’t be here at this point in the season, I’d be lying,” Meeks said. “We have our goals and we knew what our potential was. We’ve had a few close calls along the way, but we’ve found a way to win.”

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