Wildcats come up short to Shelby

RAMSEUR — Even on a night with a large point total, Eastern Randolph’s football season ended because the Wildcats were denied scoring a little more.

Shelby held off Eastern Randolph inside the 5-yard line in the waning minutes and secured a 43-41 victory in the fourth round of the Class 3A state playoffs Friday night.

The 10th-seeded Golden Lions (11-3) will meet eighth-seeded Lincoln (11-2), a 55-20 winner against West Davidson, in the West Regional final. Third-seeded Eastern Randolph’s season ended with a 10-3 record.

The Wildcats were ousted from the playoffs on their home field for the four time in five seasons.

Kobe Walker ran for three touchdowns for Eastern Randolph, while Cade McCallum threw touchdown passes to Caden Revelle and Cainan Glover.

Eastern Randolph’s troubles deep in Shelby territory were evident a couple of times. The Wildcats were stopped near the goal line in the third quarter.

Eastern Randolph had a chance to pull even with 4:47 remaining on Glover’s 7-yard touchdown reception, but a two-point conversion attempt failed.

But the Wildcats recovered an ensuing onside kick and moved the ball into scoring position as part of a 10-play possession before giving up the ball on a failed fourth down.

Lan Farmer threw for three touchdowns and ran for two touchdowns. Farmer racked up 388 passing yards for Shelby, which Jonas White (98 receiving yards), Immanuel Collins (90 receiving yards) and Kendrick Jawon (60 receiving yards) with one touchdown apiece. Woods also ran for a touchdown.