Burns vs. Shelby action

We're at Shelby High's Blanton Memorial Stadium Pearley Allen Field for a Southwestern 2A/3A Conference encounter between county rivals Shelby and Burns. The host Golden Lions enter with a 4-2 record and Burns stands at 1-5.

Foremost on the minds of the Shelby High fans is how junior Quinton Hopper performs in his first start at quarterback. He takes over the spot with senior Anthony Franklin sidelined for disciplinary reasons.

Note: We've heard that this season because of the cost of gas, booking agents aren't sending officials as far on road trips this season. That's probably why Dusty Haynes ... who played at Shelby back in the mid-1970s, is wearing the white hat for the officiating crew calling this game.

The teams exchange punts in the first quarter. On Burns' second series, the Bulldogs have to punt again and Jonathan Hopper returns for Shelby out to the 45 but fumbles and Burns takes over there with 2:16 left in the first period.
Bulldogs pick up a first down on a run by Terry Maddox. They have it second and six at the Shelby 30 as the first quarter ends. Score: 0-0.

Burns has second and five at the Shelby 13 when a high snap from center in shotgun formation costs the Bulldogs a big loss back to the 26. Bulldogs go to the air but Julian Jackson picks it off and returns 85 yards for a Shelby touchdown with 10:13 left in the half. Turner Almond's kick makes it ... Shelby 7, Burns 0.

Burns punts it away and Shelby starts from its own 28. QB Quinton Hopper hits Terron Mack on a third-and-nine play for a first down out to the 44. Moments later on fourth-and-two at the Burns 48, Shelby goes for it and Hopper passes 16 yards to Larry Raper to keep the drive going.
On the next play, Raper carries off the right side and zooms 36 yards the end zone. Almond's kick makes it Shelby 14, Burns 0 with 4:06 left in the half.

Burns goes three-and-out and Shelby takes over at its 45. On the first play, R.J. Ussery sails 35 yards for a first down at the Burns 20. Michael Copeland carries for a first down inside the 10. Moments later, Shelby faces third-and-goal at the eight and takes a timeout with 44 seconds to go in the half. Larry Raper carries for three yards to the five and Shelby lets clock roll down and calls timeout with :02 on the clock, setting up a field-goal attempt. Burns follows that with two timeouts to ice the kicker.
Almond sends the 23-yarder through the uprights as time expires. At the half ... Shelby 17, Burns 0.

Burns starts out the third quarter with a bang. After a punt rolls dead at the Bulldog eight, on third down Spencer Martin hits Preston Smith with a short pass. Smith shakes off the tackle and speeds 91 yards for the score with 8:55 on the clock. A bobbled snap foiled the extra point but the score stands ... Shelby 17, Burns 6.
Shelby coughs up the football at its 41 after the kickoff. Burns gives the football three straight times to Maddox for a first down and a personal foul penalty on Shelby gives the Bulldogs a first down at the 14.
After penalties on both teams, Burns calls a timeout facing third down and three at the Shelby 7 with 4:09 left in the half.
Shelby jumps offside, giving Burns first and goal at the three. After three runs up the middle, Bulldogs face fourth and goal at the one.
Burns called for delay of game while lining up, moving it back to the six.
Andrew Toney comes on to try a 21-yard field goal. R.J. Ussery for Shelby breaks through to block it with 1:16 on the clock in the period.
End of the quarter ... Shelby 17, Burns 6.
Other scores we have at the same point in the game: Crest 14, Country Day 7; Kings Mountain 43, Chase 7; South Point 17, Ashbrook 7.

Burns reaches the Shelby 30 ... on fourth-and-one, Quevalas Murray drops Bulldogs QB Spencer Martin for no gain. Golden Lions take over with 8:49 on the clock.
Shelby moves to the Burns 14 but a field-goal attempt is blocked.
Burns takes over at 14. On fourth-and-eight, Martin's pass is picked off by Shelby's Terran Mack and returned 20 yards for a score with 3:28 left in the game. The extra point is wide leaving the score ... Shelby 23, Burns 6

Burns passes for a first down after the kickoff, then Tre Wilson intercepts a pass for Shelby with 2:17 left in the game.
Shelby runs out the clock.
Final score: Shelby 23, Burns 6