Teams and Score: Oldham Co 10, Shelby Co 7

Year: 1984

RS or PO: Final game; regular season

Location: Shelby County HS

 

This was when the state had four classes, and the post-season eventually had a 4A "State" team meet a 4A "Jefferson County" team in the finals.

 

The AP poll therefore was split into two "4A" polls - 4A "state" and 4A "Jefferson County".

 

Shelby County came into the game with a perfect 10-0 mark. (back in the days of 11 game regular seasons). The Rockets, coached by Tom Becherer, were an unstoppable juggernaut, averaging over 30 points per game with their option attack. Shelby was ranked #1 in the AP 4A state poll.

 

Oldham County was also 10-0 and ranked #2 in the AP 4A state poll. The Colonels, coached by defensive guru Terry Bean (now defensive coordinator at Trinity), had shut out 6 opponents and were allowing a measely 3+ ppg. No team had scored more than a TD against them.

 

Of course, these two teams were fierce rivals, and this game was traditionally the final game of the season. But it had even more riding on it: Despite their rankings and records, only one would advance to the playoffs. The two teams were in a three-team district, from which just one team would go to the playoffs. Both had already beaten the third district member, Bullitt Central. But only the winner of this game would advance. The loser might be the second-best team in the state, but stay home from the playoffs with a 10-1 mark. It was a playoff atmosphere in Shelbyville.

 

So...

#1 vs. #2

30 ppg vs. 3 ppg allowed

Fierce rivalry

District title on the line

Only one team advances

 

In anticipation of the crowd, Shelby County HS brought in extra bleachers in the end zones. Total attendance was estimated at around 10,000. I broadcast the game over both the Oldham County and the Shelby County cable systems... it was quite the spectacle.

 

In the end, defense won out over offense. The Rockets never threatened offensively all night. Oldham slowly managed to stake out a 10-0 lead and held it until the second half, when Shelby got an interception deep in Oldham territory and took advantage of the short field to get their lone score.

 

Among the players on that OC defense was Mount Hadden, a star DL who now is the defensive coordinator at Henry County HS. The undisputed leader of that defensive unit was MLB Lonnie Oldham, who has been a head coach at Seneca and Oldham County. Lonnie's son, Tyler, is on the current Oldham County squad as a LB/RB, just as his father was.

 

The next week, Oldham was #1 in the state and Shelby #2, but the Rockets' season was done due to the goofy district setup.

 

(Oldham County ultimately lost to eventual state champion Christian County in the semi-finals, 6-0, in a "mudbowl" game.)

What made this game great? Who were some of the players that made a difference? What were the big plays of the game? Please be specific.

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