Shelby grinds out win over co-op Tigers

You’ve no doubt heard of Charles Dickens classic novel “A Tale of Two Cities.”

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...” as the story begins.

That could have been the theme of Saturday afternoon’s homecoming football game between Shelby and St. Regis-Mullan (Id) in St. Regis under sunny fall skies.

In this case, it was also a tale of two really good football teams with two players who had really good days, and the best of times, worst of times for the two squads involved.

In the end, Shelby flexed its ample muscles and pulled out a 59-42 win over the host co-op Tigers.

But this game was one involving several plots and twists of “Dickensonian” nature.

It was looking like good times early on for St. Regis-Mullan, the two-state co-op team that came in with an unblemished, 6-0 season record. Kofi Appiah, the Nigerian immigrant with blazing open field speed who is having a break-out senior season as a running back, defensive back and kick return specialist, got things rolling, returning a Shelby punt early in the first quarter that put St. Regis in business at the Shelby 25 yard line.

Despite moving backwards due to some questionable if not untimely calls by the officials, plus a big sack of Tigers quarterback Conner Lulis, St. Regis drew first blood via a long pass, catch and run by senior standout running back John Pruitt. The point after touchdown (PAT) attempt was no good but St. Regis-Mullan had a quick 6-0 lead.

After the ensuing kickoff and a sky full of yellow refs flags, Appiah broke loose around end and outran everyone on his way to an 18-yard touchdown. This time the PAT was good and with 5:21 to play in the opening quarter, the co-op Tigers held a 14-0 lead.

Then, a sign of things to come made an appearance for the Coyotes in the form of a touchdown pass from Shelby quarterback Kyle Mcdermott to fellow senior Hayden Schilling. A successful PAT cut the Tigers’ lead to 14-8 with 1:54 left in the first quarter.

St. Regis-Mullan then continued its version of the best of times theme. As time was ticking away in the first quarter, Pruitt broke through the big Shelby defense and headed for the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown run. The PAT try failed and at the end of one quarter of play, the Homecoming Tigers had a 20-8 lead.

The worst of times were about to begin for the home boys. With just 30 seconds gone in the second quarter, the combo of Mcdermott and Schilling hooked up again, this time for a 68 yard TD strike. The two-point after pass pulled Shelby within four, 20-16.

Cue the best of times guy. On the Tigers next set of downs after the kickoff following the Shelby score, Appiah turned on the after-burners and blazed down the sideline on a 50-yard touchdown run with 9:54 left in the first half. A successful PAT put St. Regis up 28-16.

Undaunted, Shelby put together a long drive on its next possession, moving the ball deep inside St. Regis-Mullan turf. But that drive was thwarted by an interception by St. Regis junior Hunter Stolla, a guy with a heart the size of, well, a Tiger. Stolla wound up with two interceptions for the Tigers.

Sadly, Stolla’s pick was given back to Shelby a few plays later via a Tigers fumble. The Coyotes cashed in on the St. Regis mistake and trimmed the lead to 28-24 via a 32-yard TD run and a successful two-point conversion.

Then, the worst of times scenario struck, albeit briefly, as Appiah was injured on the next set of downs and was helped from the field while the entire crowd fell stone quiet. After Appiah was helped from the field, the Tigers punted as time was winding down in the first half. The punt put Shelby at midfield with 22 seconds to play.

With time literally expiring to the wail of scoreboard sirens, the Coyotes’ Schilling snared a 40-yard touchdown pass from Mcdermott and fell across the goal line, giving Shelby its first lead of the game, 32-28 at the end of the half.

Back to the best of times, after a Homecoming halftime event, Appiah caught the Coyotes kickoff, showing he was back and ready to play. The Tigers were forced to punt a short time later, and, on 4th and 7 yards, a punt fake by Pruitt was stopped short of a first down, handing the ball back to Shelby at midfield.

After moving a short distance, the Coyotes fumbled, giving the ball back to St. Regis on their own 30. That drive eventually ended up with Appiah scoring again, this time on a five-yard stroll into the end zone that, with a positive PAT try, put St. Regis back in front 36-32.

It would be their last lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Schilling ran several times and the Coyotes moved to the St. Regis two yard line before scoring from that distance. The PAT put them ahead for good 40-36.

The Tigers mounted one more serious drive, but that march downfield ended when Shelby intercepted a Lulis pass in the end zone.

The Coyotes then scored on two long touchdown runs, including a 65 yard romp by Schilling. By then, then held a 52-36 lead with just under 10 minutes to play. Schilling added a 16-yard pick six touchdown interception to his game portfolio, boosting the Coyote lead to 59-36.

A late Tigers touchdown by backup running back, freshman Cameron Bolen concluded the game scoring festival, 59-42.

The non-conference loss dropped St. Regis-Mullan to 6-1 on the year, but they are still 5-0 in Idaho conference play. Shelby improved to 4-2 overall with the win.

St. Regis coach Jesse Allan was disappointed but gracious after the game.

“Shelby was BIG,” he said. “And I think at the end of the day, we didn’t play well enough on both sides of the ball to overcome their size advantage. I thought we did some really great things for stretches, but some costly assignments and untimely turnovers derailed us in that third quarter. Credit to Shelby for capitalizing on our mistakes and grinding us down. In years past, we have been able to take these losses and get better; That’s exactly what we are going to do with this one”!

Appiah ran for a total of 175 yards and three touchdowns during the game. Pruitt continued his season-long streak of 100-plus yard games with 125 and one rushing TD. He added 90 yards receiving and a pass TD to his stats. Lulis was 8-15 passing for 220 yard and one TD.

The Tigers return to action this Friday (Oct 13) on their other home field in Mullan where they will take on Lakeside in a conference game.