TULLAHOMA — It wasn't the start of the season that Shelbyville Central had envisioned as the Golden Eagle fell 16-7 at defending Class 4A state champion Tullahoma on Friday night.
Wildcat kicker Grant Chadwick connected on three field goals to lead the way.
"Tonight we made a lot of freshman and sophomore mistakes, but we have a lot of freshmen and sophomores out there. That will get cleaned up and every game they play, these young guys will just grow more and more,"Shelbyville Central first year head coach Jud Dryden said. "Give Tullahoma's kicker a lot of credit. Any time you get inside the 40-yard line and you can score points it's a huge asset and weapon."
Chadwick made field goals from 30, 43 and 41 yards.
Tullahoma added a 10-yard touchdown run by Nathan Delaugher as well.
The Eagles had their chances, coming away with no points after having the ball first and goal in the first half.
Shelbyville Central also had a pick-six by linebacker Logan McBee called back that would have given the Eagles the lead.
Sophomore running back Rocky Chander led the Eagles in rushing with 82 yards on 13 touches.
Quarterback Jake Preston collected no yards on the ground while going 8-for-16 totaling 124 yards in the air.
Shelbyville Central's TD was a two-yard run by Chandler.
I've talked from the start about playing every snap for each other and we did that tonight," Dryden said. "The entire game when our backs were against the wall we made plays. We gave ourselves a chance and you can't ask for anything more."
The Eagles (0-1) entertain Marshall County on Thursday night at 7.

Shelbyville Central   0   0   7   0 —  7
Tullahoma                3  10  0   3 — 16

First Quarter
T — Grant Chadwick 30 field goal, 3:19.
Second Quarter
T — Chadwick 44 field goal, 9:27.
T — Nathan Delaughter 10 run, (Chadwick kick); 0:27.
Third Quarter
SC — Rocky Chandler 2 run, (Ben Betzelberger); 4:58.
Fourth Quarter
T — Chadwick 41 field goal, 9:36.

THE YARD STICK
                                                             SC          T
Rushing Yards                                     154         61      
Passing Yards                                      124      200
Total Yards                                           278      261
First Downs                                           11        19
Penalties                                              6-45     3-20
Turnovers                                               1          2
Return Yards                                         37         2
Time of Possession                            26:32    21:28