The Shelby Tigers stormed into Harrison on Friday night and walked away with a statement win — and a district championship trophy to prove it. In a dominant 30–16 victory, Shelby showed the kind of toughness, energy, and unity that have come to define their remarkable turnaround season.
Coach Phil Fortier could barely raise the championship hardware before being mobbed by his elated players — a moment that perfectly captured the emotion of a program that has fought for every inch of progress in recent years. After years of rebuilding, the Tigers (7–4) are once again among the region’s best.
Fast Start, Fierce Finish
Shelby wasted no time setting the tone, scoring on its first two drives to build a quick 14–0 lead. Harrison briefly battled back to take a 16–14 edge, but that momentum didn’t last long. The Tigers responded before halftime with a 51-yard jet sweep from DayDay Garcia, reclaiming the lead for good.
The finishing blow came late in the game, as Shelby marched 99 yards downfield before Brody Fessenden powered into the end zone for his third touchdown of the night, sealing the 30–16 victory. Fessenden was unstoppable, bulldozing through the Harrison defense for what appeared to be a 200-yard performance — and likely surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the season.
Defensive Dominance
Just as impressive was Shelby’s defensive stand. After allowing 16 first-half points, the Tigers completely shut down the Hornets’ wing-T attack in the second half. The defensive line — anchored by seniors Colin Fenton, Ethan Viterna, Axel Moritz, and Oscar Leonides — held firm, allowing linebackers like Fessenden, Camden Smith, Santos Melchor, and Jaylin Henderson to swarm the ball.
Harrison’s top back, who ran wild in the previous round, was bottled up all night, and the Hornets’ passing game never found its rhythm — completing just one pass as Trevor Weiss and Isaac Garcia came up with key interceptions.
A Season of Resilience
For the Tigers, this championship is about more than one great night — it’s a testament to perseverance. After years of struggling seasons and back-to-back losses to close the regular schedule, Shelby has rediscovered its identity through hard work and belief. Fortier’s fifth season at the helm has seen the team transform from an underdog into a contender.
This group — many of whom have played together since youth football — has rekindled the pride of a community that last celebrated a district title in 2013. Now, with two straight road playoff wins behind them, Shelby will travel north for a regional showdown against unbeaten, top-ranked Menominee.
While the Tigers know the next challenge will be their toughest yet, they’re not backing down. This is a team fueled by belief, momentum, and the simple joy of playing together. Whether it’s celebrating at McDonald’s after a big win or lining up against the best in the state, Shelby’s mission remains the same — keep proving that the Tigers are back.
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