Blowouts, easy wins hurting Raiders
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 5, 2005
The Shelby Academy Raiders posted another big win Friday night, shutting out East Memorial, 42-0, and moving their overall record to 5-1.
The Raiders have been on a rampage since the beginning of the season, dropping only one game to defending AISA champion Southern Academy, 15-6, in week four. Shelby Academy has scored 202 points and
allowed only 22, shut out four opponents and scored 40 or more points in four of its games.
While head coach Dewayne Kervin said he is happy his team is winning, he is worried that some starters are not getting enough crucial game experience.
&uot;We’re not getting to play our starters anywhere near enough,&uot; Kervin said. &uot;In the East Memorial game, our first string was in the game for four series, then we sent the junior high players in.&uot;
Kervin said he wants to avoid running up the score on opponents but worries that letting his starters ride the bench for half of each game might come back to haunt them later on.
&uot;We’re fortunate to be able to win our games without using our starters,&uot; he said. &uot;But I hope it doesn’t come back to bite us in the playoffs.&uot;
The Raiders prepare to face Jefferson Christian at home this week, but Kervin said Shelby fans can expect to see much of the same.
&uot;They haven’t won much this season,&uot; he said.
&uot;We’re going to give our team as much playing time as possible.&uot;
Despite the succesful season, Kervin said his team has been struggling to stay healthy.
&uot;We’ve had kids sick and out of practice,&uot; he said. &uot;I really think we’re struggling to get where we want to be this season.&uot;
There is good news for the Raiders, however, with starting tailback Barry Harrison looking to possibly play in the next two games for the Raiders.
Harrison has been suffering from a number of injuries that have kept him off the field for most of his senior season.
&uot;We’re hoping he can come back for us,&uot; Kervin said. &uot;But we’re also trying to carry him along slow and make sure everything checks out alright.&uot;