ST. JOSEPH, Mo.- Coach Dave Stuckey and his North Shelby Raiders capped off a tremendous season with an appearance in the MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl 8-Man Football Championship game. The Raiders faced a tough challenge in the defending, undefeated state champs, the Archie Whirlwinds. This was a game that featured the smallest school in 8-man football in terms of enrollment, North Shelby, versus the largest school enrollment in Archie.
North Shelby went toe to toe and blow for blow with the defending state champions for the better part of three quarters. But in the end, Archie showed why they have enjoyed their long-running win streak and went on to become back-to-back state champions by a final score of 48-20.
The game was much closer than the score indicates. Archie led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter, while North Shelby led 20-16 at the half. Archie scored 16 unanswered points in the third quarter, and again in the fourth.
After the game, Coach Dave Stuckey talked with Hometown Radio Sports Director Corey Stott and gave his analysis of how the game unfolded.
Coach Stuckey said that he felt like his team was facing a mirror image of itself on Saturday, only faster.
The Raiders will lose four seniors to graduation this spring. Coach Stuckey gushed about how much his seniors had meant to his program.
It has been a whirlwind of emotions over the past several weeks as the Raiders made their playoff run to state. Stuckey said it meant the world to the community as well as the school.
Stuckey has made it known that he plans to retire after this year. He reflected on his career and what the future might hold for him.
Following the game, Stott had the chance to talk to the four seniors on the Raider squad: offensive lineman Louis Launius, offensive/defensive lineman Sam Schwanke, offensive/defensive lineman Oren Vanskike and quarterback/linebacker Jade Daniel.
Stott asked each senior what the season had meant to them.
Launius:
Schwanke:
Vanskike:
Daniel:
Stott also asked each senior what their favorite memory of the season was.
Launius:
Schwanke:
Vanskike:
Daniel:
The Raiders finish their season with a 9-5 mark and a second place finish in Missouri State 8-Man Football.
The North Shelby Raiders took home second place in 2024 MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl 8-Man Football. At the press conference following the game are (L-R): Louis Launius, Sam Schwanke, Head Coach Dave Stuckey, Jade Daniel and Oren Vanskike.
