Sipsey Valley Falls at Home Against Shelby County

On Friday night, September 6th, 2024, the Sipsey Valley Bears lose their first home game of the season, 15-7, to region foes the Shelby County Wildcats (Columbiana, AL).

Sipsey Valley took the lead first with a long touchdown run by senior wide receiver Jamarion "J'man" Jolly. Jolly made an over 60-yard jet sweep on the second play of the game, putting the Bears up 7-0 after a successful PAT.

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Shelby County responded immediately with an explosive rush from sophomore running back Christian Reeves. He read the field, cut back to the other side, and ran 50 yards for a touchdown. This put the Wildcats up 8-7 early in the first quarter, following a successful two-point conversion attempt.

Neither team scored for the rest of the first half as both offenses struggled with penalties. In one instance, there was a blocking in the back call on Sipsey Valley late in the first half, which eliminated a 75-yard touchdown run by Bears' Senior Quarterback LJ Cormier. This was the theme of the first half, with each team accumulating a lot of penalty yardage.

Sipsey's offense appeared to regain its rhythm in the final minute of the third quarter when Cormier led a solid drive. He moved the ball into Shelby County territory by using his legs and a 25-yard throw to Wide Receiver Ashton Long. However, Sipsey Valley's momentum was halted when they turned the ball over thanks to a botched snap. This turnover gave the Wildcats control, depriving the Bears of the chance to take the lead before the end of the quarter.

The Wildcats began to come alive in the fourth quarter with an impressive drive led by Shelby County's junior quarterback Ryan Snipes, who had an impressive 35-yard scramble to get the Wildcats inside the Bears' red zone, followed by a 5-yard rush into the endzone from sophomore running back Christian Reeves to put Shelby County up 15-7 with 10:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Sipsey Valley's offense never found its groove, with numerous three-and-outs in the fourth quarter and a turnover on downs on their final possession of the game. The Wildcats ran out the clock to win their first game of the season against an area opponent.

Sipsey fell to 1-2 on the season after Friday's setback, while Shelby County improved to 3-0.

Player of the Game

Shelby County's Class of 2027 running back Christian Reeves demonstrated his versatility at the position by cutting back at a moment's notice, as well as his ability to break tackles and see the field. Reeves finished with two touchdowns, the Wildcats' sole touchdowns versus the Bears.

Reeves and the Wildcats will travel to Jemison, Alabama, to face the 5A Jemison Panthers on Friday, September 13th, 2024, with Shelby County hoping to remain undefeated.

Sipsey Valley will aim to rebound on Friday, September 13th, 2024, against 2A Aliceville (Aliceville, AL), where they will attempt to win their first home game of the season.