Cardinals Rebound with Win at Macon

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By Mark Requet

The South Shelby Cardinals rebounded from its first loss of the season last week with a 42-21 win at Macon on Friday, October 18, 2024.

Macon had the ball first and were forced to punt.

South Shelby’s first possession resulted in a turnover on downs at the Macon 27-yard line after a 10-play drive.

Macon’s first play of the next drive was fumbled and recovered by South Shelby’s Kaiden Pool at the Macon 24-yard line.

On the fifth play of the drive, quarterback Chase Moellering connected with Hunter Maubach on a seven yard completion, but it was short of the first down and the Cardinals turned it over on downs.

The Tigers took over and moved the ball about 20 yards and were forced to punt the ball back to the Cardinals.

South Shelby took over on its own 31-yard line. Running back Preston Elsen opened the drive with a 44-yard run, followed by an 11-yard run to the Macon 14-yard line. Two plays later, Gabe Bowen scored from seven yards out. The extra point kick by Pedro Romanichen was good and the Cardinals led 7-0 with 8:32 left in the second quarter.

Macon took the ball on its next possession and drove the length of the field for a touchdown. The extra point kick was good and the game was tied 7-7 with 4:07 on the clock.

The Cardinals responded with a quick six-play drive that resulted in another score. Quarterback Chase Moellering completed a 29-yard pass to Pryce Eagan for a touchdown. The extra point kick by Romanichen was good and the Cardinals led 14-7 with 1:16 left in the first half.

The Tigers bounced back with a three-play touchdown drive of its own to tie the game with :58 seconds left in the first half at 14-14.

South Shelby took control of the ball on its own 35 yard line. Moellering connected with Tucker Elliott who raced past the defense down the sidelines for a 65-yard touchdown. The extra point kick by Romanichen was good and the Cardinals led 21-14 with :43 seconds left, which would be the halftime score.

The Cardinals had the ball to start the third quarter and didn’t waste any time. On the second play from scrimmage, Eagan broke through the Macon defense and ran 81 yards for the touchdown. The extra point kick by Romanichen was good and the Cardinals led 28-14 with 10:58 left in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, South Shelby took advantage of a bad snap over the Macon punter’s head to take possession of the ball on the Macon 26 yard line. On the third play of the drive, Moellering scored on a 13-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick by Romanichen was good and the Cardinals led 35-14 with 9:47 left to play.

Macon was forced to punt it back to South Shelby on its next possession.

Elsen returned the punt 73 yards for a touchdown. The extra point kick by Romanichen was good and the Cardinals led 42-14 with 5:54 left in the game.

Macon scored its final touchdown on their next possession to cut the lead to 42-21, which would be the final.

Elsen led the Cardinals with 150 yards rushing on 19 carries, followed by Eagan with 112 yards, including a touchdown, on four carries.

Moellering completed 5-of-8 passes for 125 yards, including two touchdowns. Moellering also rushed for 47 yards, including a touchdown, on eight carries.

Elliott had two catches for 72 yards, including a touchdown. Eagan had one catch for a 29-yard touchdown.

The Cardinals, 7-1 overall, will host Palmyra on Friday, October 25, 2024, with the game beginning at 7 p.m.