Football Tonight: Watauga at Shelby

4:45 p.m.- It's almost three hours to kickoff, and I've got a few pre-game thoughts for you...It's homecoming night at Shelby, so they should be fired up. And it doesn't hurt that they haven't won two games in a row yet this year, and have a chance to do so with a win tonight. Watauga has its own streak to protect, having won four straight games coming in.

It figures to be a defensive struggle, at least on paper, as Watauga has allowed just 13 points over the last two weeks combined. Shelby has allowed an average of 12.3 points per game this year...More to come when I arrive at Shelby later on.

7:00 p.m.- It's a beautiful night for football in Shelby. Clear skies as the sun sets with temperatures in the mid 60's. A lot better than last week!

It will be interesting to see how the respective offenses try to move the ball against the defenses. Running back and Clemson commitment Larry Raper leads a Shelby ground attack that also features backs Jonathan Hopper and Michael Copeland. The three backs combined for over 200 yards last week in a win over Brevard.

Watauga may try to move the ball more through the air, as junior QB Devan Corum went 13-for-19 for 235 yards and three touchdowns last week. His favorite target was Baine Martin our of the backfield. Martin caught for balls for 146 yards and a score.

7:28- Watauga wins the toss and elects to kick to Shelby to begin the game.

7:41-Shelby began their first drive at their own 34 yard line. After a first down on the ground, Shelby quarterback Anthony Franklin lost seven yards on a keeper, but made up for it by converting a third-and long pass to Reid Houser down the sideline to the Watauga 33. But Watauga's defense held and moved Shelby back 10 yards, forcing a Lions' punt. On a short punt, a Watauga player touched the ball and Shelby is given an early break as the Lions recovered. 1st and 10 Shelby from the Watauga 18.

7:44-After gaining eight yards, Shelby fumbled the ball on third and two from the Watauga 10. A Franklin pitch to Hopper was high, and Hopper had the ball briefly before dropping it. Watauga recovered and they have the ball for the first time tonight. Shelby 0, Watauga 0, 4:55 1st quarter.

Watauga picked up nine yards on three plays, then lined up to go for a 4th and 1 play, but didn't have to, as Shelby jumped offsides. Then on a 3rd and 6, Watauga QB Devan Corum avoided the Lions' rush for a run across midfield. But Corum fumbled a couple plays later, and Shelby recovered. 1st and 10, Shelby, on their own 47, Copeland ran for 16 yards up the middle and Shelby is back across midfield. END 1st quarter. Shelby 0, Watauga 0.

7:55 p.m.- Shelby couldn't move the ball after Copeland's run and faced a 4th and 9 at the Watauga 34. They went for it, Frankiln rolled to his left and lofted a pass itno the endzone that was picked off. Watauga ball, 1st and 10 from their own 20. Still no score, and four turnovers combined!

8:00 pm- On a 3rd and long, Shelby's defense held again, with "Boom-Boom" Murray and R.J. Ussery combining for a sack. Watauga punts, and Shelby gets the ball back, 1st and 10 from the Watauga 38.

"Boom-Boom" is now lining up at wingback on offense! First play, Raper ran 38 yards across the right side for a TD...but, a penalty brought it back. Two plays later, the same play worked for the same result. 34 yard TD run Raper, no penalty--- extra point is wide right. 6-0 Shelby, 9:07 2nd quarter.

8:08pm- Boom-Boom is all over the field. A sack forced a Watauga 3rd-and-long, and on that play an attempted screen pass is intercepted by team co-captain Peter McInnis, who ran 11 yards the other way for a touchdown. He's still down in the endzone, however, injured. They are going to cart McInnis off the field. Turner Almond kick is good; 13-0 Shelby, with 7:05 left 2nd quarter.

Watauga went 3-and-out, with a dropped ball on 3rd down. On the first play from their own 43, Shelby's Anthony Franklin hooked up with Raper for a 55-yard TD pass deep over the middle, Raper's second TD. Wow, that was quick...5:09 2nd quarter, 20-0 Shelby.

8:30pm- Boom-Boom and company are still at it. Another Boom-Boom sack backed Watauga up after a couple penalties. Watauga had crossed midfield, but got backed way up by the time they had to punt. And then, the punt was blocked by Gerald Jennings, who fell on the ball at the Watauga 7. It looked like he could have picked the ball up and rambled in had he taken his time on it. And it's too bad for Shelby that he couldn't. After a procedure penalty, Shelby's Jonathan Hopper fumbled the ball a yard away from paydirt. Watauga fell on the ball, and the clock dwindled away into halftime after a couple sneaks. Shelby 20-0, Halftime.

8:50pm-For those interested, Shelby's 2008 homecoming queen is...Alexis Cannon.

9:05pm- Back now after a lengthy halftime...Watauga started the half with a big kickoff return and their best field position of the game, just on Shelby's side of the field. Two consecutive completions has the Pioneers at the Shelby 30, but a Ussery tackle for loss on third-and-long forces a punt. Shelby ball after the punt, 1st and 10 at their own 25. After a 20 yard carry by Hopper, Franklin fumbles the ball after tripping apparently. It was recovered by Watauga's Tanner Wilson and taken 47 yards the other way for a score. Kick failed, 20-6 Shelby, 8:34-3rd.

9:15pm-Shelby went three and out and after a punt Watauga is moving the ball a bit, they face a 3rd and 6 from the Shelby 47 yard line. It's hard to believe Watauga is still in this game right now!

Two penalties, and offsides and a pass interference keeps Watauga's drive moving. 1st and 10 at the Shelby 16. The offsides call was the third tonight that has resulted in a Watauga first down (Strangely, they have more first downs than Shelby 9-6, despite being seriously outgained in total yardage.) Watauga goes for it on a fourth down in the red zone, with the quarterback, Corum, being tackled short of the mark. Shelby's ball again, end 3rd quarter- Shelby 20, Watauga 6.

9:47pm- Sorry about the long delay...computer issues! Shelby's Michael Copeland and Jonathan Hopper gashed Watauga on the first drive of the 4th quarter, with Hopper taking the ball into the endzone for a score. A long kick return by Watauga on the ensuing kick was wiped off due to penalty. That was followed by a three-and-out and a long, winding punt return by Ussery. Quinton Hopper, the new Shelby QB, fumbled on his first play of the game. 3:00 left in the 4th quarter, Shelby 27, Watauga 6.

Final score- Shelby 27, Watauga 6
Look for the story on shelbystar.com by 11:45 or so...