Joaquin Rams Stadium, Friday, September 13, 2019 -
The Shelbyville Dragons Varsity Football Team gained their second win of the season by beating the Joaquin Rams by a 22-21 margin. The Dragons trailed the Rams by 14 points early but gained their first lead with just 2:14 minutes left in the game and their defense held on for the win.
Joaquin drew first blood with a 1-yard touchdown run from Connor Bragg with 2:25 left in the first quarter. Jesus Bravo booted the extra point and Joaquin held a 7-0 lead.
The lead held up until there was 8:46 left in the second period when Lorenzo Lane scored the Ram’s second touchdown on third-and-goal. This gave Joaquin a 14-0 advantage after another Bravo extra point.
Shelbyville cut the Ram’s lead to just 14-6 when grabbed a pass from Dragon’s quarterback Jordan Boykins and scored a 24-yard touchdown. The Dragons extra point attempt was blocked.
In the third quarter, Joaquin gained their biggest lead with a Gunner Nelson touchdown run at the 7:49 minute mark of the third stanza. Bravo’s extra point kick gave JHS a 15-point advantage at 21-6.
A 2-yard Jaylon Brinson touchdown run, and a 2-point conversion by Boykins helped the Dragons cut Joaquin’s lead to 21-14 with 7:33 left in the contest.
Both teams each exchanged fumbles within the next five plays. Shelbyville gained possession with less than six minutes remaining and went on a 9-play scoring drive which saw them take their first lead with a 19-yard touchdown reception by Kel Wilson with just 2:13 left in the game. Brinson added a 2-point conversion which gave the Dragons their first lead.
Joaquin used 8 plays to go 55 yards but ultimately saw a potential 38-yard winning field goal attempt taper off just inches right of the upright crossbar at game’s end.
Joaquin rushed for 213 yards on 55 attempts. Shelbyville rushed for 134 yards on 26 carries. Joaquin was 0 for 1 passing attempts. Shelbyville completed 4 of 7 attempts for 70 yards.
Joaquin led with 13 first down conversions, Shelbyville had nine. The Rams fumbled once, the Dragons had two lost fumbles and lost an onside kick.
Next Friday, September 20, 2019, Shelbyville will travel to Troup High School to face Dallas First Baptist at 7 p.m. The Dragons are now 2-1 for the season. Dallas First Baptist is 1-2. They are coming off of a 47-14 loss to Covenant Christian Academy.
Joaquin faces the Bulldogs at Corrigan-Camden High School next Friday at 7:30 p.m. Joaquin is 2-1 , the Bulldogs are 3-0 and won at home to Kirbyville last week by a 32-8 margin.
