SHELBYVILLE, Mo. — Back in 2021, the North Shelby Raiders and Worth County squared off on the Raiders’ home field in the state quarterfinals, with North Shelby losing by just two points.

Now, three years later, the same team will compete in the state quarterfinals, but this time in Worth County as the North Shelby Seniors look for revenge.

“After that district title our freshman year, we had to play Worth County and it was a battle, and I was pretty salty about it and I want that game back,” senior offensive/defensive lineman Samuel Schwanke said.

“I’ve always wanted to play them again, just to be on the sidelines and watch that game, I wanted another chance to play them again because I know we could have come home with the clincher, so (it’s) nice to try it again,” said Senior North Shelby Center Louis Launius.

Unlike the undefeated 2021 regular season, this season was filled with adversity for the Raiders.

North Shelby finished the regular season with five wins and four losses after battling an injury bug all season.

The tough start helped strengthen this team as they never quit no matter the odds.

“Even in the games we lost, we fought all the way to the end and every single one of those games, I like to say ‘makes a coach proud’ when they sit there and won’t quit,” said North Shelby Football Head Coach David Stuckey. Ultimately, it’s a life lesson. They know life will (sometimes) get them down, but they can’t stop. They have to keep moving forward and take the next step. Keep breathing. Keep focusing and keep attacking life just like they do in a football game.”

The Raiders’ ability to overcome the start and take home the district title was even sweeter for the seniors as they helped coach David Stuckey earn his 11th district title as a head coach in his final season.

His players were happy to give their coach one last championship in his final season.

“All of us going out as seniors and coaches, we’re both going out at the same time, which makes it a little more memorable,” North Shelby Senior Right Guard Oren Vanskike said.

“Really good coach, also a really good man, always there for us if we need him on the field (or) off the field, he was there for us,” Launius said.

As the Raiders prepare to take on Worth County, Coach Stuckey wanted to take the time to say he is proud of his boys regardless of the outcome.

He said they made his final season special and he is grateful to them for the way they conducted themselves on and off the field.

“These kids show up to work all summer long,” Stuckey said. “6:30 practice, four days a week, and we have 100% accountability, and I know where these kids are every day. If they’re not here, they’re working on the fields, I don’t kids skipping practice and all the hard work they put in makes my life as a coach and all the hours I put in really worth it.”

The Raiders will travel to Grant City on Saturday at 1 p.m. to play the Tigers in the state quarterfinals.