Gaffney linebacker leads defense to shutout

J.B. SHIPPY Somebody other than running back Mario Carter was going to have to make big plays for the Irmo Yellow Jackets in Saturday's Class 4A Division I state championship game.

Gaffney linebacker J.B. Shippy made sure of that.

Carter, who entered the game averaging 151 yards a game, was held to just 75 yards on 17 carries by the Shippy-led Indian defense.

Shippy, who was credited with 12 tackles, said the strategy was to stop Carter from getting to the corner.

"We wanted to mostly have things go up the middle," Shippy said. "I was supposed to take on the fullback and do whatever I could."

Shippy also had a sack and an interception to kill a late scoring chance by the Yellow Jackets.

"Nobody blocked me, so I kept going across the middle with the wide receiver," Shippy said. "I knew (Irmo quarterback Leander Barney) didn't have the arm to get it there. So, I said I might as well catch it."

Shippy returned the interception inside Yellow Jacket territory.

Shippy's interception sealed the Indians' fourth shutout of the season.

"All I can say is wow," Shippy said. "It just feels great to do it in the championship game. And to do it in the last game of the season."

Shippy also credited the play of the Indians' offense, which controlled the ball for much of the game. The Indians had a 13-minute advantage in time of possession.

Shippy said he was struggling to find the words to describe the thrill of winning back-to-back state titles.

"I'm just at a loss for words," he said. "It just feels great to have done this two years in a row."