Photo by Kelsi Wood
October 13, 2026 (Game Photo Album) - The Shelbyville Dragons pulled off an unbelievable comeback to defeat the long-time rival Joaquin 40-39 on Thursday, October 8.
Shelbyville started the first drive of the game at their own 20-yard line. Slowly but surely, Shelbyville pushed through the Ram defense to move down the field. After 8 minutes of possession time, penalties against both teams, QB Gavin McDonald passed to Tate Obergon at 2nd and 4 for the first touchdown of the game. Extra-point by Vazquez was good, giving Shelbyville an early 7-0 lead. The Rams took far less time to score; Amari Wilson with a 57-yard rushing touchdown from the line of scrimmage, followed by a two-point conversion from Cooper Bragg, Rams led 8-7 after taking 9 seconds off the clock.
Photo by Kelsi Wood
At 4th and long on Shelbyville’s second drive, McDonald couldn’t find a man open resulting in a turnover at their 42-yard line. Joaquin was also unable to score on their second drive with the Dragons forcing a fourth down turnover on their own 39-yard line. At 3rd and 8, Gavin McDonald found Bryant Scarborough at the Ram’s 45-yard line for a first down. A holding penalty and confusion between the referees on whether McDonald’s throw was an incomplete pass or interception by Dagan Lee, the Rams got the ball back on their 39-yard line with 9:20 left in the half. Another holding penalty against the Rams pushed them back to the 29-yard line. Cooper Bragg found his way through the Dragon defense for a 51-yard run to put them at the 14-yard line. Wilson ran in for his second touchdown of the night. The two-point conversion was good; Rams extended their lead 16-7.
Photos by Kelsi Wood
With just over 7 minutes left in the half, at the Ram’s 35-yard line, 4th down and ½ yard to go, the Dragons pushed through for a first down. The Dragons were unable to do anything else with the drive. Dallas Murray punted, forcing Cooper Bragg to dive onto the ball for the return and stopping him from returning for a touchdown. Now at their 36-yard line, the Rams being left with 4 minutes in the quarter, they were unable to move the ball, forcing a punt on 4th down. Between Shelbyville’s Hunter Harvey and Jarrod Hairgrove, the Dragons made one more touchdown before halftime. Joaquin held their lead 16-14.
Photo by Kelsi Wood
The Rams started the second half at midfield. Trent Runnels, Brent and Brody Cummings paved the way for some yardage. As the Rams continued to push down the field, Dragons defense pushed just as hard back, but Trent Runnells eventually made his way into the endzone for touchdown, Rams now have a sizeable lead of 23-14. Shelbyville started their first drive of the half at midfield as well; there were two back-to-back penalties against the Rams, but the Dragons could not move down the field, forcing a punt. However, Cooper Bragg returned the punt, putting the Rams at the Dragon’s 37-yard line with just over 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Bragg took the Rams to the 1-yard line, making it an easy touchdown for Runnells. After the two-point conversion, the score now 31-14 at the end of the quarter.
Photo by Kelsi Wood
Eli Matthews and the Dragons made their way down the field on the following drive and a passing touchdown to Bryant Scarborough. The two-point conversion was no good, Dragons still behind 31-20 and 9 minutes remaining in the game. The Rams scored one more time in the game, reextending their lead 39-20 and leaving 2:55 on the clock.
Photo by Kelsi Wood
With a minute left in the game, Gavin McDonald finds Ronnie Williams III for a touchdown pass - two-point conversion was good to cut the Ram’s lead. Still down by 11 and 53 seconds remaining, Hunter Harvey recovered Bryant Scarborough’s kick at Joaquin’s 6-yard line. McDonald found WR Bryant Scarborough for the touchdown. The Dragons recovered a second onside kick at the 50-yard line, giving the Dragon offense one last opportunity to score. In a do-or-die, déjà vu situation, McDonald connects with Scarborough for a 50-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to give Shelbyville the victory, 40-39.
Photo by Kelsi Wood
Shelbyville is 4-2 for the season; 1-0 in District play. They will host the Hemphill Hornets on October 16th at 7pm. Joaquin is 3-2 for the season and will host the Timpson Bears for the Rams Homecoming game on October 16th at 7:30pm.
Photo by Kelsi Wood
