SHELBY — It was a history-making kind of night at the Whippet Athletic Complex.
Shelby senior wideout Brady Bowman caught seven passes for 151 yards and one touchdown to move from 10the to eighth place on the Ohio High School Athletic Association's all-time career receiving yards list. With these numbers, he surpassed the 4,000 career yards mark and now sits at 4,114 and counting. Shelby’s team dominance helped lead it to a 42-7 victory over Marion Harding.
HOW'D WE DO? WEEK 10 PICKS All tied up with one week of high school football left
“It is an unreal feeling to be on the list of all-time great receivers. It’s more than just what people see out here, it's putting in the work when no one is else is,” said Bowman.
Shelby completed its third straight 10-0 season. Despite the program’s strong history, it the first time the Whippets posted three consecutive 10-0 regular seasons. Bowman was a starter on all three teams.
“It hasn’t set in yet, and I bet a lot of kids would want to have this moment. I'm truly grateful,” said Bowman.
Shelby head coach Rob Mahaney knows the significance of tonight’s accolades.
“These seniors are going to graduate going 30-0 in the regular season. That’s pretty special. The amount of high school football players that can say that has to be really small,” Mahaney said.
Last week, Shelby survived an upset scare at Pleasant. In Week 10, Shelby wasted no time getting to it. Harding was unable to recover an onside kick on the opening play. Then, just two plays later quarterback Michael Shepherd ran in an eight-yard touchdown.
The Whippets called Shepherd’s number again on a 1-yard score later in the first quarter as well. Gavin Baker and Luke Blevins each found themselves in the endzone by the end of the night. Shepherd connected with Bowman on a 46-yarder for the final score, which came in the third quarter before Bowman’s night was over.
Shepherd threw for 228 yards and ran for 52. The running back duo was tough as usual. Baker ran for 59, and Blevins added 46.
Marion Harding’s best possession occurred when Jackson Payne returned a kickoff to Shelby’s 37-yard line. But that drive ended with a Braydon Ream sack on fourth down.
Quarterback Dez Feliciano finished the night 15-of-30 passing for 217 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His favorite target was Jaden Jordan, who finished with 4 receptions for 62 yards. Harding’s lone touchdown came on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Marcus McGary with 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Presidents finish the 2026 season at 5-5.
The Shelby defense allowed just 10 total yards rushing. Casyn Koch returned an interception 21 yards with 5:15 to go in the second quarter to make it 28-0 at that point.
Shelby has clinched a bye and will most likely be the OHSAA Division IV Region 14 No. 2 seed, according to JoeEitel.com
“It’s a full circle moment to me because these are the kids that were the little brothers of the players when I first came here. You hope that they’ve now inspired the next generation. Somebody asked me why Shelby is so special recently, and I think it's the community. It’s pride that the alumni have, the people that live in this town,” Mahaney added.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Bowman makes Ohio history as Shelby cruises to third straight 10-0 season