SIDNEY — Shelby coach Rob Mahaney had to gather himself for a second.
His Shelby Whippets had just defeated Cincinnati Indian Hill 42-7 in the Division VI state semifinal game at Sidney Memorial Stadium for the football program’s first trip to a football state championship game in history.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut once he found his words, Mahaney expressed joy for his team’s accomplishment.
“Pure elation,” Mahaney said. “I am just so proud of these guys. We were elected as a team to go to Canton and listen to the Hall of Fame speeches and as we sat in those chairs, we told ourselves that we wanted to make it back here and play for a state title. That was the goal and here we are.”
The Whippets dominated with a running-clock win in their fourth straight playoff contest and broke the school record for wins in a single season at 14-0. It was a season full of high expectations and the Whippets lived up to every single one of them all season long.
“There were some high expectations,” Mahaney said. “Back in July, the Mansfield News Journal said we were going to Canton. That is a credit to these kids. They kept working and did what they needed to do to get here. What an incredibly opportunity.”
Shelby High School celebrates their 42-7 win over Indian Hill High School during OHSAA Division IV State Semifinal high school football action Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 at Sidney High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNALThe Whippets got things started early with a two-yard touchdown run by Ohio Mr. Football finalist Brayden Devito before Travis Slone scored on a rumbling 9-yard run to make it 14-0 in the first quarter. Indian Hill cut the lead in half with a one-yard run by Evan Riggs one play after the Whippets fumbled deep in their own territory, but it was all Shelby from there.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCarter Kessler caught a 6-yard touchdown pass to make it 20-7 just before the half, but the play that changed the entire complexion of the game came when DeVito returned an interception 43 yards with less than a minute to play in the third and then found Gavin Miller for a two-point conversion to make it 28-7 at the half.
“We hit the film hard this week,” DeVito said. “We knew they had a great quarterback and what he wanted to do and who he wanted to get the ball to. I was able to get underneath two passes, but what made it easy was the pressure our defensive line got all night. It forced him to make throws faster than he normally does and allowed me to go get it, so credit to the D-Line.”
Devito connected with Brady Bowman on a 27-yard TD pass to make it 35-7 before the Shelby defense came up big again when Gavin Baker blocked a punt and Hunter Oney recovered it in the end zone for a running-clock 42-7 victory.
“We just kind of did what we needed to do,” Mahaney said. “Brayden was awesome all night, Brady was always all night. Those two guys, I really thought they put their imprint on this game. And a group of guys who don’t get enough credit is our offensive line. They did a tremendous job allowing us to run the ball when we needed to and kept our pass protection clean.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Our defense was phenomenal. You see 42 points, but our defense scored twice with a Pick-6 and a blocked punt. Those guys made plays and the only reason Indian Hill scored was because we gifted them a touchdown.”
Shelby High School's Hunter Oney (79) celebrates in the end zone after recovering Gavin Baker’s blocked punt by Indian Hill High School's Drew Seinen (33) in the third quarter during OHSAA Division IV State Semifinal high school football action Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 at Sidney High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNALDeVito finished 9-for-14 for 112 yards and two passing touchdowns while running for 83 yards on six carries with a TD and added a defensive score for his 69th TD of the season and his 205th of his career.
But most of all, he made sure his team came in focused.
“It was all about keeping a level head and treating it like it was just another game,” DeVito said. “We didn’t want to feel the pressure, but apply it, instead. We kept our focus all week. We have played in some pressure-packed games all year and it helped ease the nerves in this one.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBowman finished with six catches for 83 yards and a score. Indian Hill knew it needed to stop DeVito and Bowman, but knowing it and doing it are two different things.
“It is a couple of things,” Mahaney said. “Our offensive staff did an amazing job of creating different ways to get those guys the ball and they deserve a huge credit. But those two players are really, really good and the guys around them did a phenomenal job of helping them make plays.”
The Whippets’ defense played lights out allowing just 97 total yards to a team that came in averaging 40-plus points per game on offense.
“It is our brotherhood and our culture,” Kessler said. “It’s our chemistry. They came out saying they would run the ball like they do every week. We know our run defense is connected and we all do our jobs. They had to go to the pass game which they weren’t used to and that was when we thrived.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKessler was at the front of that defense with four quarterback sacks.
Shelby High School's Carter Kessler (9) sacks Indian Hill High School's Devlan Daniel (5) during OHSAA Division IV State Semifinal high school football action Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 at Sidney High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNAL“I just did what I try to do every Friday night,” Kessler said. “We practice hands on, hands off and working on our moves. But the credit goes to my brothers Kyler Williams, Michael Shepherd and my defensive line guys like Hunter Oney. We all got pressure and it made my job easier.”
Now, the Whippets take on Glenville in the Division IV state championship game at 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It is a spot the Whippets, and everyone around them, expected to be in.
“In years past, we have had to prove everyone wrong, but this year, it was about proving everyone right,” DeVito said. “We knew expectations were high, but we didn’t let that get to our heads. We stuck together as a locker room and it shows on the field. I am so proud of these guys.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile playing for a state title is special, the Whippets are most excited about having another week with each other.
“Let’s go get it,” DeVito said. “That has been the goal since we grew up playing together in sixth grade tackle football. We knew we had a special group and I am just so happy to be doing this with these guys. It is such a brotherhood.”
There is a big week ahead full of outside noise and predictions, but the Whippets are vowing to keep their head down and focus on the task at hand.
“We aren’t going to drink the poison,” Kessler said. “We have been telling each other since last year that we wanted to get to a state championship game. We have been grinding and we have earned it. We really have. It feels great to play with my brothers for one more last game.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd it is going to be a week and a game they will absolutely enjoy.
“It’s special,” Mahaney said. “This is going to be a very special week and these guys are going to remember this forever. We will head down Thursday evening and enjoy an awesome experience with our kids. Playing for a state championship is something every football player dreams about and our kids get to live that dream.”
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Whippets top Indian Hill, head to first state final in program history
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