Shadyside Focused And Back On Fleming Field For Playoff Opener
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SHADYSIDE -- The Shadyside Tigers are no strangers to the playoffs. They've missed the postseason just twice since the turn of the century, in 2004, and last year in a 2-8 2025 campaign. But, compared to recent playoff appearances, something is undeniably different about this year's Shadyside team, who is set to host No. 12 South Gallia (6-4) as the No. 5 seed in OHSAA Division VII, Region 27.
"Last year we missed the playoffs and the three previous years before that we made it to the playoffs, but, we were making it to the playoffs winning three games," Shadyside head coach Michael Kernik said in an interview Wednesday. "Obviously we always want to make the playoffs, but one of our goals this year was to deserve to be in the playoffs, and have a really good regular season, which we did.
"We accomplished that goal. We’re in the playoffs. We got a home game. We haven’t had a home playoff game since 2021. That was a huge goal for us to achieve this year. And yes, everybody’s excited about it. All the coaches are excited about it. The kids are excited about it. The whole town’s excited about it. And that’s what you want. Winning games and having success through the season creates all kinds of excitement through the whole community. We are more than looking forward to it on Friday night."
Shadyside enters the postseason tournament with an 8-2 record, suffering a defeat to Monroe Central in last Friday's regular season finale. The setback has done little to stifle the town's excitement though-- but Kernik wants his squad to stay focused.
"I talked to the kids about this last night-- there’s going to be a million things going on, tailgate and pep rallies and all that stuff," Kernik said. "And all of that’s good. I told the kids to notice it and recognize it and take it all in and enjoy it because this is all supposed to be fun.
"You want to enjoy these things, but at the same time, when the lights come on, you got to focus and do what you got to do and take care of business."
The incoming Rebels are not a familiar opponent for the Tigers-- in fact, Friday will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The two have had no common opponents this season.
South Gallia is coming off of back-to-back losses to end the year; a 40-12 loss to Beaver Eastern, and a 56-0 loss to Symmes Valley.
"We’ve watched plenty of film on them," Kernik said. "They like to run the ball, that’s for sure. They certainly like to run the ball, try to confuse you and do some misdirection stuff. You got to really stay home and read the guards and key your guards, key the line. Absolutely have to make sure you tackle.
"They run the ball pretty hard. We got to make sure that defensively we’re disciplined, know our assignments, stay in our spots and make sure to tackle and get those guys on the ground because they’re capable of making plays."
Shadyside has also had a ton of success on the ground this year-- quarterback Jayden Johnson finished his regular season with 985 yards and the ground and 15 touchdowns, while tailback Colt Cook finished with 792 yards and 11 touchdowns of his own. The alliterative double act, along with a strong offensive line, has powered the Tigers. Kernik is hoping the trend continues.
"We’re certainly going to lean on that," Kernik said of his run game. "Our offensive line and our quarterback and our running backs have taken a great deal of pride this year in being able to have the amount of success that we’ve had running the football. Every coach knows, if you can control the line of scrimmage and you can run the ball with some success, then you’re going to have a pretty good chance of winning football games. That’s what we’ve been able to do this year. And yeah, we’re certainly going to continue to lean on that and drill that, there’s no doubt about it."
Kernik is confident his team will be prepared come Friday. Part of that comes from a six-man senior class that has taken the reins as leaders this year.
"Most of them have been on the field since their freshman year," Kernik said of his seniors. "They’ve all been on the field starting since their sophomore year, and all of that experience and taking their lumps for two or three years has taught them so much. They have fought through so much adversity, and for them to do what they’ve done and become leaders this year and have the rest of the team follow them, to flip the switch and have some success, I’m so happy for that group of kids and happy for the entire team. You always want to honor your seniors as the season goes on.
"They have done a phenomenal job of keeping the team focused. A lot of times our Monday practices are our longest practice and then we taper them off as we go through the week. Well, since Monday is such a long practice all the time, Tuesdays-- a lot of times we have a rough practice. It’s not bad, but sometimes it’s not quite as good as Monday was. And I told the kids [Tuesday's] practice was just as good as Monday’s practice this week. And I actually talked to a couple of the seniors about that, and their response to me was, well, coach... it’s the playoffs. They have everybody focused. They’re being good leaders. They’re doing everything that is necessary to do."
Kickoff at Fleming Field on Friday is set for 7 p.m.