NCHSAA football: Shelby’s Drew Hollifield discusses win vs. Lincolnton
Shelby football senior standout Drew Hollifield discusses his team’s 41-21 win over Lincolnton on Nov. 9, 2023.
REIDSVILLE — A prideful program, Reidsville football had grown tired of hearing about its playoff failures against fellow North Carolina powerhouse Shelby.
On Friday, the Rams went about changing the narrative.
Shelby’s bid for a 20th state title collapsed under the weight of a Reidsville avalanche, thumping the Golden Lions 49-14 in the NCHSAA 2A West final at Reidsville Community Stadium.
GAME-CHANGER: How Shelby High’s ‘game-changing’ new athletic complex celebrates past, preps for future
KNOW THEIR NAMES: Here are 6 unsung heroes playing key roles during Shelby football’s playoff run
“Reidsville is a heck of a team, an extremely good football team,” said Shelby football coach Mike Wilbanks. “They made some great plays on us early and unlike previous weeks, we simply couldn’t respond.”
Reidsville tight end Kendre Harrison provided examples of why 247Sports has him rated as a four-star recruit, catching two touchdown passes in the first half of Friday’s game.
On his first touchdown, Harrison outmuscled three Shelby tacklers to eclipse the goal line. He also had a 32-yard TD reception with 44 seconds until halftime, giving the Rams a 28-0 halftime lead.
“(Harrison) is extremely talented,” Wilbanks said. “There were times we had him covered pretty well, and he’d make a great catch to move the chains or score.”
Reidsville quarterback Al Lee also had a big game, throwing five touchdown passes. Harrison and Que Flippen each had two touchdowns, while Dionte Neal also caught a TD pass. Aidan Mansfield and Paul Widerman added touchdown runs.
Izay Bridges got Shelby on the board in the third with a 42-yard touchdown reception. Eli Falls also had a TD catch in the fourth.
“I’m proud of how this team never gave up,” Wilbanks said. “The 49-14 score may not show it, but we challenged them at halftime to show some pride, and I believe they did that.”
Shelby’s season ends at 11-4. Meanwhile, Reidsville (14-1) advances to take on Clinton in Saturday’s 2A state final in Raleigh.