Shelby County squeaks past Selma in final seconds
Published 10:01 pm Friday, September 10, 2021
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Special teams was the difference in the Region 3, Class 5A showdown between Shelby County and Selma.
Tommy Grigsby’s 27 yard field goal with 37 seconds left lifted the Wildcats to a dramatic 11-8 victory on Friday night at Memorial Stadium.
Shelby County (2-2, 2-0)remained unbeaten in the Region.
Grigsby, who missed two field goal attempts earlier in the contest, said Shelby County head coach Zeb Ellison joked before trying the game-winner.
“Coach Ellison said he was better looking than me, so I had to prove him by putting the ball through the uprights,” Grisby said.
Selma took a 8-0 lead on running back Amari Thomas’ 1-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion.
Shelby County tied the game at 8-all on Connor Aderholt’s 67-yard TD pass to Matthew Pearson. They connected on a game-tying two-point conversion for a halftime tie.
“We should’ve won that game 8-0,” Selma coach Willie Gandy told the team after the game. “We gave it away. We let them drive down the field and kick a field goal to win.”
After Grigsby’s game-winner, Selma never saw the ball again. The Saints fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Shelby County ran out the clock.
“Our guys have battled all year,” Ellison said. “We made mistakes, but it did not cost us the game. I’m proud of our players.”
Aderholt completed 16 of 30 passes for 234 yards, including the go-ahead 70 yard drive.
“We’re always working on our two-minute offense, so there was no pressure,” Aderholt said. “Our kicker came through.”
Saints wide receiver Dakaari Nelson had six receptions for 107 yards in a losing effort.