Golden Lions fan Travis Durkee
wrote this article about game day.
Check it out!
The stage was set as the Shelby faithful began to fill the stands at Grove Stadium in Winston-Salem to see their hometown Golden Lions take the field for the last time in 2006 to take on the Raiders of Southern Vance High School for the 2AA State football crown. Those that made the two hour trip and paid the $7 fee to park were not disappointed.
With 40 minutes until kickoff the only ones on the field were the quarterbacks, their personal warm-up receivers, and the kicking unit. Later they were joined by the rest of their teammates to go about their business as if it was any other game. More fans began to fill the seats as the clock ticked down closer to kickoff.
First, Southern Vance was introduced with cheers from their sunny side of the stadium, but their hollers were soon drowned out by the roar of the shady side when their Lions ran onto the field for the traditional dog pile.
Shelby’s offense took the field first with senior quarterback Darryl Montgomery taking the first play from scrimmage 61 yards for six. This opening play gave the Shelby crowd the immediate burst of energy that would prove to last throughout the contest.
More hope was instilled in the Shelby followers when Southern Vance fumbled on their opening possession allowing Shelby to take over at the Vance 33-yard line. The drive would end on a missed 47-yard field goal attempt off the crossbar by Tyler Rabb.
The Golden Lions defense would hold fast on the next Southern Vance forcing a punt that led to another Montgomery touchdown on the ground, this time from 30 yards out.
Southern Vance had a flash of offensive promise on their next drive as they moved down into Shelby territory only to have a Jamere Pugh pass intercepted by Shelby linebacker Corey Brooks with 4 minutes left in the 1st quarter.
Fans began their taunting of the officials on the next drive when they failed to recognize a called timeout by Shelby with about three minutes remaining in the 1st quarter. If only the fans knew what was yet to come. A few plays later on a deep pass attempt by Montgomery to split-back Larry Raper, Montgomery was hit helmet-to-helmet by SVHS defensive lineman Diral Burwell leaving Montgomery down motionless on the field. When the crowd saw the replay on the scoreboard screen a sea of slanders were directed toward the refs and the missed call. Shelby head coach Chris Norman was upset as anyone. As the trainers attended to Montgomery, Norman made sure the officials knew how he felt about the missed call. His action only hurt the team as he was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Montgomery was carted of the field as the crowed cheered and became re-energized.
Backup Howard Thompson came into the game and fumbled on his opening possession allowing SVHS to strike on a 65-yard TD pass. The Raiders would miss the 2-point conversion. Southern Vance would score again before the half but fail to convert the two points once again. The Shelby lead was cut down to 14-12 entering the half.
The fans conversed during the half expressing their disgusts, concerns, and adjustment ideas. Many wondered about the condition of quarterback Darryl Montgomery. Their questions were soon answered when he ran out of the field house to start the second half. He had suffered a mild concussion and had a gash below his right eye. I approached him on the sideline to see how he was feeling, but I didn’t have to say anything. Before I got to him he glanced up and saw me walking his direction and said, "What’s up T-Durke?" That was all I needed to hear in order to know that he was alright.
Southern Vance opened the scoring in the second half to go up 18-14. On their next possession Montgomery, also playing safety, made a critical 3rd down stop inside the Southern Vance 10-yard line forcing them to punt.
On the following drive by Shelby, fullback Arsenio Parks rumbled into the end zone from 20 yards out. Parks would score again from 15 yards out the next Shelby possession. The Shelby lead was now 27-18.
Southern Vance would makes things interesting again with another big play touchdown narrowing the margin to 27-24.
The Shelby defense would hold and the game would end with Shelby on top 27-24 bringing home a second consecutive state crown. Corey Brooks, Arsenio Parks, and Darryl Montgomery were recognized as defensive MVP, offensive MVP, and game MVP respectively.
This game meant more than just a state championship for SHS. This would be the last time the fans of Shelby football would gather to see this team play, a team that finished the season 16-0. For the senior football players, the last time they would wear a SHS uniform. For senior students, the last time they would cheer on their high school classmates on the football field. The seniors have continued a strong football legacy at Shelby High, one that they hate to leave.
For me personally, to see so many of my fellow classmates embrace one another in celebration is unable to be put into words. To see your friends that you know as more than football players but as friends cry in each others arms out of pure joy is unforgettable. To know that you may never experience something so special again in your life is simply sad. This season will live on in SHS football history, but even more in the memories and hearts of the students and players that watched it unfold.
Senior defensive back De’andre Stevenson explained the feeling in the truest, most simple way. When asked how it felt to be a champion twice, he responded with tears in his eyes, "It feels good."
