Hopes for a state championship in football for the 5A Shelby County Wildcats hit a wall last Friday night, a human wall as a blocked extra point attempt fell to earth with about a minute and a half left in the game.

The blocked PAT handed the (10-2) home team a 21-20 win and a chance to continue on while ending the Wildcats&8217; season with an 8-4 overall record.

First year Shelby County head football coach Ryan Herring was positive about his team&8217;s performance.

&8220;I don&8217;t think the ride hurt us,&8221; said Herring of the long road trip to UMS Wright. &8220;We did what we do.&8221;

Herring was referring to his team&8217;s practice of running the ball most of the time and throwing when the passing lanes are open.

He credited quarterback Aaron Howard for having &8220;phenomenal game.&8221; Howard ran for two touchdowns and passed for another.

Howard scored on runs of one and 31 yards and he hit Tyrone Buie with a 25-yard TD strike.

Herring also praised Kevin Stafford who gained 70 yards on 10 carries and Dustin Bunn who collected a huge interception for the Wildcats.

Herring added that his offense line did a great job of controlling the tempo of the game.

&8220;We ate up the clock and didn&8217;t turn the ball over,&8221; he said.

Herring said his team played with heart all season and said, &8220;I really think the Lord blessed us this year.&8221;

He had special pride for his five seniors who stayed with the program including Andrew Burns, Bunn, Howard, Richard Sutton and Jose Albarran.

As to the future, Herring said, &8220;I&8217;m very optimistic. We&8217;ve got good kids. We are going to work hard.&8221;

Herring said he did not arrive at Shelby County until May and he is now looking forward to a good off-season