SPARTA — Shelby standout Michael Shepherd added to the highlights of his superb senior season with a performance for the ages on Friday night.
The Whippets’ quarterback threw four touchdown passes and added three scoring runs to pace his squad to a 47-6 pounding of Highland in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference clash.
Shepherd completed 16-of-23 passes for 289 yards and ran for 67 yards on nine carries. He compiled 356 yards of total offense alone.
Obviously it was a big night for Shelby’s receivers, too. Griffin Yeager caught three passes for 82 yards, Carson Koch snagged three aerials for 82 yards, and Brady Bowman had six receptions for 71 yards.
Shepherd’s 2-yard blast put Shelby on top 6-0 early, but the Scots tied it when Kirk Hinkle connected with Zack Riley for a 23-yard TD pass.
It was all Whippets after that.
Shelby rolled to a 20-6 first-quarter lead, opened a 33-6 halftime bulge, and triggered the running clock in the third period while scoring two more touchdowns.
Highland’s Kane Stover ran for 36 yards and caught a pass for 55 yards.
The Whippets improved to 5-0 overall, 2-0 in the MOAC. Shelby will host River Valley on Friday night.
Highland falls to 1-4 overall, 0-2 in the MOAC. The Scots meet Galion next week at home.