Shelby County High School football coach Ryan Herring didn’t know what to expect in a spring scrimmage at Vestavia Hills with only three players returning with varsity playing experience.

Herring was pleased with the inexperienced Wildcats’ effort as Shelby County racked up 154 rushing yards and managed to score a fourth-quarter touchdown in a 28-8 setback to the Class 6A powerhouse May 12 at Thompson-Reynolds Stadium.

“I was real proud of our kids,” Herring said. “We had great effort. It was a great learning experience.”

The Wildcats finished with 154 rushing yards on 38 attempts and seven first downs. Shelby County didn’t attempt a pass during the scrimmage.

Denzel Williams led Shelby County with 62 yards on 10 carries, including the Wildcats’ biggest play from the line of scrimmage on a 19-yard gain in the second half.

Brent Wooley rushed for 40 yards on 10 carries. Andrew Miller rushed for 30 yards on nine carries.

The Wildcats began the scrimmage with a stunning 18-play, 52-yard opening drive that ended in Rebels’ territory with a failed fourth-down conversion attempt.

“I was very happy with our first drive,” Herring said.

Vestavia Hills responded with four rushing touchdowns before Shelby County finally got on the board following a 7-yard touchdown run on a quarterback sneak by Miller, who received his first look at high school football, with 3:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“Andrew did a great job for his first time playing football,” Herring said. “I was real proud of him.”

Evan McNeal found offensive lineman Darius Brown open in the end zone for the two-point conversion.

McNeal led Shelby County with eight tackles. Jose Vazquez recorded five tackles.