By GARY JOHNSON ~ gjohnson@t-g.com
It was their best overall performance of the season as Shelbyville Central’s Golden Eagles rolled past Cookeville 56-7 in a Region 3-6A contest on Senior Night to close out the regular season at the Eagles Nest on Wednesday night.
With the win, the Eagles (4-6, 3-1) finish runner-up in the region and will host and opening round game on the TSSAA State Playoffs on Friday night at 7.
The Eagle offense found the end zone five times with the defense collecting three touchdowns for good measure.
Senior Laquan Young scored off runs of 20 and 14 yards. Sophomore Theo Washington recovered a fumble and returned it 32 yards for a TDm then added a 40-yard TD run.
Micah Threatt scored off a 43-yard fumble recovery then added a pick-six, covering 20 yards for a score.
Senior quarterback Kade Cunningham scored off a one-yard run, with Will Gallimore hauling in a TD pass.
“It’s great to close out the regular season with a win and even better to be hosting an opening round state playoff home game,” Shelbyville Central Coach Josh Puckett said. “Just a great team effort in every phase of the game.”
The Eagles’ offense racked up 437 yards of total offense led by Young with 167 yards on 17 carries.
Shelbyville Central’s defense was just as impressive, allowing only 139 total yards, including only 48 rushing.
“For the most part, our defense has done a good job all season. We has some young guys of defense step up and make some big plays for us,” Puckett said. “We will continue to work hard and use these couple of extra days to heal and prepare for the playoffs.”
Cookeville 0 0 7 0 — 7
Shelbyville Central 14 14 6 22 — 56
First Quarter
SC – Laquan Young 20 run, (Ben Betzelberger kick), 11:10.
SC – Kade Cunningham 1 run, (Betzelberger kick), 6:38.
Second Quarter
SC – Young 14 run, (Betzelberger kick), 6:23.
SC – Will Gallimore pass from Jake Preston, (Betzelberger kick), 0:08.
Third Quarter
SC – Theo Washington 32 fumble recovery, (kick failed), 11:44.
C – Jayden Baker 5 run, (Logan McCarter kick), 1:37.
Fourth Quarter
SC – Washington 40 run, (Preston to Kendall Trice), 9:35.
SC – Micah Threatt 43 fumble recovery, (Betzelberger kick), 8:57.
SC – Threatt 20 pass interception, (Betzelberger kick), 7:02.
THE YARD STICK
C SC
Passing Yards 91 115
Rushing Yards 48 322
Total Yards 139 437
First Downs 6 18
Penalties-Yards 3-18 3-20
Turnovers 3 0
Returns-Yards 6-178 5-128
Time of Possession 23:46 24:14
