The Lexington Minutemen were up against a tough opponent in the Shelby team, and the game unfolded in a series of ups and downs that left the crowd at the edge of their seats.
The game kicked off with Shelby taking an early lead in the first quarter. Isaiah Ramsey made an explosive 64-yard receiving touchdown, electrifying the crowd and setting the tone for Shelby's strong start. The extra point was good, and Shelby was ahead 7-0. They didn't stop there. A few minutes later, #44 for Shelby caught a 32-yard receiving touchdown, extending their lead to 13-0. However, their two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Lexington found themselves trailing but fought back. In the second quarter, their defense stepped up as Brayden Devito's pass was intercepted by #1 Keegan West, giving Lexington a chance to regain momentum. They capitalized on the opportunity with a well-executed drive that culminated in a quarterback keeper by Joe Caudill for a touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed, making the score 19-6 in favor of Shelby.
Shelby's lead was further extended when Casey Lantz successfully made a 20-yard field goal attempt, bringing the score to 22-6 with just under six minutes remaining in the first half. The game was intense, with both teams fiercely competing for control.
As the first half came to a close, Devito's pass was intercepted by Sevyn Allen, preventing Shelby from adding more points before halftime. The second quarter ended with Shelby holding a 22-6 lead, but both teams knew that the game was far from over.
The third quarter began with a powerful play by Lexington. Brayden Devito scrambled for a 48-yard touchdown run, surprising the Shelby defense and bringing Lexington back into the game. The extra point was successful, and the score was now 22-13.
Shelby quickly answered back, showcasing their offensive prowess. Skyler Winters rushed for a spectacular 59-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 29-13 after the extra point. Their momentum continued with Carter Newman's 51-yard touchdown reception, making it 36-13 as the third quarter came to an end.
In the final quarter, Lexington was determined to fight until the end. However, their efforts were met with stiff resistance from Shelby's defense. Brayden Devito's pass was intercepted by Brayden Fogle at the Lexington 30-yard line, setting up another scoring opportunity for Shelby.
Carter Newman seized the moment with a 34-yard receiving touchdown, but the extra point was no good, making it 36-19 in favor of Shelby. Skyler Winters then rushed for a four-yard touchdown, and the extra point was successful, further widening the gap to 43-19.
Shelby's onside kick attempt was successful, allowing them to maintain possession. Despite Lexington's efforts, Shelby continued to dominate. Isaiah Ramsey caught a 72-yard receiving touchdown, and the extra point was good, pushing the score to 50-19.
The game's final moments saw more dramatic action, with a high snap resulting in a fumble recovery by Shelby and a subsequent interception by Lexington's Cameron Boozer. However, time was running out, and the game concluded with a final score of 50-19 in favor of Shelby.
While Lexington put up a valiant effort, Shelby's strong performance throughout the game secured their victory. The crowd witnessed an exhilarating matchup with impressive plays on both sides, making it a memorable day for football fans.
Read the play by play at the Mount Vernon News football scoreboard HERE.
Lexington High School students Austin Fisher and Levi Davis were on-field correspondents for the game.
