The North Shelby Raiders were overwhelmed in the second half of the 8 Man State Championship Game Saturday, falling 48-20 to the Archie Whirlwinds.
The Raiders fumbled the ball away on the second play of the game and Archie instantly took advantage.
North Shelby provided a response.
The Raiders recovered the ensuing onside kick but couldn’t take advantage of it. They did take advantage, though, after Archie fumbled the ball away on its next possession.
The two-point conversion failed. The Whirlwinds came back with a two-play scoring drive and converted the two-point try for a 16-14 lead with 1:37 left in the first quarter.
North Shelby faced a 4th and 3 when Gannon Bowen hit paydirt again.
With 3:21 until half, Archie fumbled away a punt return. North Shelby recovered an onside kick to start the second half. Ultimately, the Raiders had three straight drives with a chance to push the lead to two scores, but Archie’s defense stunted each attempt.
The Whirlwinds went ahead for good early in the third quarter.
Archie scored on all four of its second half drives. Kale Snook had three touchdown catches. Quarterback Tristian Leeper also had two scores on the ground and ran for 105 yards.
Bowen was the Freeman Financial and Insurance Outstanding Player of the Game. Serving as the predominant quarterback, with Jade Daniel banged up, he ran 31 times for 87 yards and three touchdowns, completed 5-of-7 passes for 41 yards and was the leading tackler on defense with nine.
North Shelby’s injury-plagued, adversity-filled season ends with a 9-5 record and state runner-up finish. Archie becomes the fourth team in 8 Man history to complete back-to-back undefeated state championship seasons.
North Shelby coach David Stuckey Postgame:
