Playoff primer: South Shelby faces No. 1-ranked Fair Grove in Class 2 state semifinal

SHELBINA, Mo. — The South Shelby football team is one step away from playing for a state championship for the first time since finishing as the state runner-up in 2011. The Cardinals have played in five state title games in program history.

Getting there will take some resolve as Fair Grove is the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2 and is one of the top scoring teams in the state.

Here’s what to look for in Saturday’s state semifinal matchup. 

What: Class 2 state semifinal

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Charles Rash Memorial Field, Shelbina, Mo.

Records: Fair Grove — 13-0 (7-0, first in the Mid-Lakes Conference). South Shelby — 11-1 (5-1, tied for first in the Clarence Cannon Conference).

Radio/Livestream: NEMOPressbox.com, MSHSAA.tv

Scouting the Eagles: A state semifinalist a year ago when it lost to Valle Catholic, Fair Grove has been the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2 throughout the season because of its talent and depth on both sides of the ball. Kellen Lair, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior running back, was a second-team all-state selection as a junior and has 90 career touchdowns with more than 4,000 total yards. He has five punt returns for touchdowns the past two seasons. Spensar Seiger, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior quarterback, has helped the Eagles average 43 points per game. Defensively, the Eagles allow 12.7 points per game and are led by senior linebacker Brock Bruner, who has committed to Southeast Missouri State University.

“They are really quick in a lot of different place, especially linebacker,” South Shelby coach Adam Gunterman said. “In my opinions, (Lair) is the best offensive player in Class 2. I would be shocked if he doesn’t win that award, no matter what happens on Saturday. His numbers are pretty amazing.”

This won’t be the first time the Cardinals have faced a team with a mix of speed and tenacity.

“That’s one of the great things about the conference we play in,” Gunterman said. “We get to see some really good football teams all year long. Hopefully our tough schedule has put us in position to get it done this weekend.”

Scouting the Cardinals: Even though the state quarterfinal victory at Mid-Buchanan turned into a hold-on-for-dear-life affair — South Shelby won 28-26 — the Cardinals understand their second-half issues were self-inflicted wounds. South Shelby committed three turnovers in the second half after leading 20-0 at halftime. Those miscues have been unusual for an offense that has been dynamic all season. But Gunterman liked how the Cardinals responded to the mistakes and found a way to win, something that has become a trademark of this group.

“I think it’s our overall grit when things get tough,” Gunterman said. “If anything, the district championship game and the quarterfinal game proved even when things are looking tough we still find a way. That goes back to the work they’ve put in during the summer and the offseason.”

A forecast calling for temperatures to be below freezing and a chance of snow at gametime will put that grit and resolve to the test.

“One of the things you can’t change is the weather,” Gunterman said. “No matter what it is, no matter what is thrown at us, we have to be able to handle it. Hopefully we handle it better than the other team does.”