Turnovers, including three interceptions, cost the Harrisburg Bulldogs their season debut, falling 22-12 at home to South Shelby on Friday night.

Harrisburg fought until the final whistle, but a couple of late-scoring drives from South Shelby handed Harrisburg the 10-point loss. Harrisburg held control for much of the game. However, South Shelby’s defense capitalized on five crucial turnovers and 50/50 balls in the closing minutes of the game. 

This game began with a slow start, culminating with a scoreless first quarter. But Harrisburg junior quarterback Kayden Weldon showed hints of dual-threat abilities and doses of extreme accuracy early on. Weldon succeeded in extending plays and was one of the offensive highlights throughout the game. He finished the night with 14 carries for 56 yards. His partner in the backfield, junior Hunter Winscott, displayed extreme toughness in his ability to break tackle after tackle, rushing for 14 carries for 46 yards on the night.

Winscott is not only a threat in the backfield but in the receiving game as well, exhibiting his capability to gain yards after the catch. He led with three catches for 32 yards and the Bulldogs’ only touchdown.

On the other side of the ball, the front line came to play, making stops and forcing the Cardinals to punt while holding them to scoreless through the first quarter.

However, after a dominating offensive drive from the Cardinals, they punched in a score and a successful two-point try, taking an 8-0 lead heading into half. 

Harrisburg received the ball to start the second half. Weldon’s ability to extend plays showed again as he led the Bulldogs down the field early. Weldon’s accuracy was displayed as he threw a 17-yard dart to freshman wide receiver Jasper Miller, positioning the Bulldogs in scoring territory. This led to a Cinderella fourth and goal 9-yard touchdown pass from Weldon to Winscott. The two-point conversion failed, making the score 8-2 with just under six minutes left to play in the third quarter.

The touchdown resulted in a flood of Harrisburg momentum. Two plays later on the opposing team’s 25-yard line, the Bulldogs forced a fumble. Winscott recovered the loose ball and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, but the Bulldogs held their first lead of the game 12-8 with 3:56 left to play in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs kept this momentum through the period, allowing them to take a 12-8 lead into the final quarter. But roles would eventually be reversed after a few three-and-outs from the Bulldogs. From there, the Bulldogs offense crumbled. A second interception from Weldon led to a touchdown by the Cardinals with 3:01 left to play. A successful two-point try regained the lead for South Shelby 16-12.

The Cardinal momentum continued, resulting in another defensive stop. South Shelby continued to press the Bulldogs defense down the field, leading to the final touchdown of the game with 80 seconds left on the clock. A wide right extra point attempt led to a final score of 22-12. A third interception by Weldon with the clock ticking down sealed the game for the Cardinals, finishing the game with a kneel in victory formation.

Weldon finished the game seven-for-16 for 77 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.

Credit is also owed to the defense, which caused disruption in the Cardinals’ backfield five times for tackles for losses. A couple of key factors to this defense was junior Zane Wade, who made four solo tackles with two assists, two tackles for loss, and two pressures. Junior lineman Will Cole also had an impact, adding five assists, one tackle for loss, and a quarterback sack. 

“We have to be better in the first half, be more physical, and win by being the more physical team,” said first-year Harrisburg coach Parker Howard. “A loss doesn’t define you; it’s how you react to that loss.”

Howard referenced “game speed” as one of their team’s weaknesses last Friday and plans to build off that to improve ahead of Friday’s home game against Clark County. The Class 2 Indians also lost their season opener 12-47 to Bowling Green at home on Friday, setting up a Week 2 matchup between two 0-1 teams. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Harrisburg.