Few have enjoyed a better view of Lan Farmer’s work the past four years than Shelby football coach Mike Wilbanks .

On a night reserved for the Golden Lion quarterback and fellow members of Shelby High’s 2026 class, it was Farmer whose star shone brightest.

Farmer had five touchdown passes Friday night, his last a 29-yard connection with J.J. Williams to help Shelby get past rival Burns 36-35 at George Blanton Memorial Stadium.

“Our kids found a way to make a play when they had to,” Wilbanks said. “Fourth-and-13, (Farmer) and on senior night? Lan threw a freaking dot. There was nowhere else he could have put it.”

Such was part of a night best described by Wilbanks and others on the Golden Lion sideline as an emotional roller coaster.

Shelby raced out to a 15-0 lead, Farmer scoring on a

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