Football Recap: Alex Beck's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Shelley over Sugar-Salem

Shelley had lost four straight on the road dating back to last season, but on Friday they dropped down to 0-3 to make it five. They took a 28-14 bruising from the Sugar-Salem Diggers. While losing is never fun, the Russets can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Idaho football rankings (they are ranked 41st, while the Diggers are ranked eighth).

Several Russets players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Alex Beck, who rushed for 44 yards and one TD, and also threw for 179 yards and one touchdown. A healthy portion of that aerial production (100 yards to be exact) went to Zachary Trosper.

As for Sugar-Salem, the victory (which was their ninth in a row dating back to last season) raised their record to 3-0. The wins came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 40.8 points over those games.

Frank Fillmore had an outrageously good game as he rushed for 91 yards and a pair of scores, and also threw for 87 yards and one TD on only seven passes. Those 91 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Kimball Tonks, who gained 121 total yards and a touchdown.

Shelley will have a little extra prep time after the defeat as they won't be playing again for a while. They'll take on Century at 7:00 p.m. on the 19th. As for Sugar-Salem, they will challenge Star Valley at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.