Shelby Academy found a quick solution to bust the game wide-open Friday, get the ball in Brandon Horton’s hands.

Horton broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, picking up 178 yards on 16 carries and two offensive touchdowns to help lead the Raiders past Autauga Academy, 39-18. He now has 1,004 yards on the ground this year.

“I think he realizes his senior year is coming to an end, and he knew we needed him tonight. He came out and had a big game,” Shelby Academy head coach Shannon Jones said.

That big game included a three-touchdown third-quarter to overcome a 12-10 halftime deficit. Horton regained the lead for Shelby on A 52-yard run and later extended the lead, 28-10, with a 54-yard run and 3-yard 2-point conversion run. He later picked off a pass, hurdled over two attempted tacklers and took the ball to the house for a 73-yard defensive touchdown.

Autauga also scored in the third quarter on a 12-yard pass, but Colton Wingard helped cancel that score with a 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Jones said one of the keys to victory Friday was the offensive line playing the best game as a unit this year, opening big holes in the second half.

Shelby started the game with a defensive stop, but fumbled the Autauga punt to set up the General’s opening touchdown. Bobby Sexton, who had 15 tackles, picked off a pass on Autauga’s next posession and returned in 25 yards for Shelby’s first touchdown of the game, 7-6.

Jordan Ikner extended the lead with a 40-yard field goal in he second quarter, before a deep pass before the half gave Autauga the 12-10 lead at the break.

Quarterback Chad King added 63 yards on the ground and threw for 78 on 5-of-7 attempts. All 78 yards went to Horton. King also had 14 tackles on defense, while Jason McDaniel led with 16 tackles.

With the win, Shelby (5-4, 4-2)wraps up the No. 3 seed from the region. The Raiders travel to Ft. Dale’s homecoming Friday at 7 p.m.