The Moody Blue Devils play the Shelby County Wildcats on Sept. 15. Photo by Willie Strickland

The Moody Blue Devils lose a 14-point lead and a tough game on the road to Shelby County Wildcats in overtime 27 – 21. Moody falls to 1 – 2(0 – 2) on the season.

This would be considered a “swing game” in the SEC in college football terms, that was the make up for these two team coming off losses in their region openers last Friday night. Both teams battled to a 0–0 tie after one quarter, but the Wildcats were driving.

Shelby County started the second quarter first and goal at the Moody 8-yard line. Two plays later the Wildcats crashed into the end zone for the game’s first score. The extra point was good and with 10:33 left in the half Shelby County led 7 – 0. 

After exchanging possessions after the Wildcats score, Moody had the ball first and 10 at the Wildcats 40-yard line. Moody quarterback Carson Buckner started the drive off with a 24-yard run down to the Shelby County 16. Later in the drive Moody faced 3 and 11 at the Wildcats 18; Buckner connects with Jordan Mason for a 15-yard gain to set up first and goal at the three yard line. Two plays later Buckner ran the ball in for a score. The extra point was good and the game was tied at 7.  

The Wildcats fumble the ensuing kickoff and Ethan Mills recovers for the Blue Devils setting Moody up at the Wildcats 47-yard line. Buckner started the drive off with a 40-yard completion to Jacory Campbell making it first and goal at the Shelby County 7-yard line. Two plays later Rashad Clark steps into the end zone for the touchdown.  The extra point was good and Moody took a 14–7 lead into halftime.  

Moody starts the second half off 1^st and 10 at the Shelby County 35-yard line. Two plays into the drive Jordan Mason broke free for 57 big yards down to the Cats two-yard line. Rahad Clark scored on the very next play. The extra point was good and Moody was riding along up 21–7.

The Wildcats put together a very long methodical drive, grinding out the clock.  Shelby County punched the ball into the end zone for a score. The extra point was no good but after three quarters we had a ball game with Moody up 21 – 13.

The fourth quarter came down to one final drive for the Wildcats. With 3:13 left in the game Shelby County had the ball at the Moody 47-yard line. The Wildcats drove down inside the Moody ten-yard line after a couple of controversial calls and some big runs. The Wildcats complete a tough catch in the front of the end zone for a touchdown. The two-point try was good and the game went to overtime tied at 21.

The Wildcats got the ball first to start the overtime and scored in three plays. The extra point failed so the Wildcats led 27 – 21. 

Moody scored on their possession, or so they thought; a block in the back penalty was called against Moody bringing back the touchdown. On the next play the Wildcats pick off the Blue Devil pass attempt to seal the 27–21 win.

Mason Shockley was a beast on defense with 18 tackles to lead the way. Ethan Mills had 13 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.  Ethan Jeff had 13 tackles, one for a loss, and a fumble recovery.  Joel McCormick had 10 tackles, Collin McNeil also had 10 tackles, an interception, his third of the season, and a fumble recovery and Kaderious Gamble had 8 tackles.

Moody will return home for the first of two in a row. Pleasant Grove will visit tomorrow night and John Carroll will visit next week. Kick off for tomorrow night’s game against the Spartans will be at 7 p.m.