By TRAVIS MILLER
MUNCIE — With 2:18 to go in the third quarter of Class 5A No. 6-ranked Kokomo’s 55-0 win over Muncie Central here Friday night, the public-address announcer noted that Braxton Shelton had become the Wildkats’ all-time leading rusher. The record-breaking run came when the senior broke loose for a 45 yard touchdown on his signature play — 24 power.
With Kokomo’s offense on the field at that time, Shelton shied away from taking the credit. As the Wildkat faithful cheered, Shelton (now with 3,335 career yards) slapped each of his offensive linemen on the helmet to thank them for paving the way to break former Purdue running back Dondre Johnson’s record.
“They mean everything to me,” said Shelton when talking about his offensive line. “We’ve been through thick and thin. They’ve been with me for three years, some of them even longer than that. I wasn’t really concentrating on the record, I just wanted to get it out of the way.”
Shelton’s record-breaking run was about the only drama that was produced in the North Central Conference clash. Kokomo was in control throughout, racking up its 18th straight NCC win. The only offensive miscue the Wildkats had was turning the ball over on downs on their first possession. Once the Wildkat defense forced a quick three-and-out, the offense made sure it did not falter again.
Kokomo scored on its the next eight possessions, using quick strikes as well as prolonged drives. As usual, Shelton was in the middle of things, running for 143 yards and four touchdowns. He put the first points of the night on the board with a 32 yard run around the right end with 4:18 to go in the first quarter. He later added a 13-yard score to make it 14-0 after one period.
“We’re not building around one person because one person doesn’t make the team, but [Shelton] is still the focal point and what teams key on when they face us,” said Kokomo coach Brett Colby. “He gets his nose in there and gets the tough yards, but he’s also an unbelievable blocker too. Braxton gets yards because of [Casey] Shipley and Shipley gets yards because of Braxton.”
Shelton showed his unselfishness on his record-breaking night by helping Shipley rush for 103 yards and a touchdown. All told, Kokomo rushed for 402 yards.
While Kokomo’s defense limited Muncie Central to 19 yards and a pair of first downs in the first half, the Wildkat offense scored seemingly at will. Kokomo notched 28 points in the second quarter to lead 42-0 at the half. The highlight of the quarter was a 42-yard punt return for a TD by Nick Franklin.
Shipley added a second quarter TD while Nolan Sanburn caught a pretty T.J. Weir fade pass for a 27-yard score with 1:50 left in the quarter. From there, Kokomo simply waited through halftime to see when Shelton would break the record.
It took just one play for Shelton to do so, as he touched the ball on Kokomo’s first play from scrimmage in the second half and scooted through the defense for a 45 yard touchdown.
“We knew he needed just 10 yards at halftime and we asked him how he wanted to break it,” said Colby. “He said he didn’t care, so we told him he was going to get it on the first play with our main play, 24 power. He got in there and just broke it so we were glad he got the record with a touchdown as well.”
From there, it was up to Kokomo’s defense to continue pressuring the Bearcats. Austin Colby and Armon Brdigeforth each had interceptions while Dylan Green added a fumble recovery. Austin Colby finished with a team-high seven tackles.
Weir had a solid night as well, running for 52 yards and completing 8 of 16 passes for 101 yards and a score.
Kokomo returns home at 5-0 and all alone atop the North Central Conference at 3-0. Second place Huntington North (3-2, 2-1) will likely provide Kokomo with its stiffest test to date Friday. The Vikings thrashed Logansport 51-15 Friday night.
