The Shelby Academy Raiders fell one game short of returning to the Class 1A AISA championship, losing to Autauga Friday night, 35-14.

Autauga running back Idarious Bennett lit up the Raiders’ defense for 236 yards on 40 carries and two scores.

Shelby Academy was led on offense by Barry Harrison who rushed for 140 yards on 14 carries and a score. Raiders’ quarterback Jake Ingram added a touchdown on a three-yard run for Shelby but that was the extent of the Raiders’ offensive output.

The Raiders played head-to-head with Autauga, beating them in first downs gained, passing yards and completions. But three turnovers in the game and the stellar performance of Bennett sealed the team’s fate