By: Scott Nickerson, EAN Sports Writer
Stanhope Elmore quarterback Tre Killingsworth had one of the all-time best games for any passer in the history of the school, and he did it in three quarters, sitting out the the final period as the Mustangs coasted to a 41-9 win over the winless Benjamin Russell Wildcats. Killingsworth completed 9 passes on 13 attempts for 272 yards and four touchdowns.
The outcome was never in doubt. After Jaquori Williams intercepted a Benjamin Russell pass on the first drive of the game, the Mustangs promptly drove the ball down field for a quick score. Teddy Harris scored the first touchdown of the game on a 3-yard rush, but it was set up by a perfectly thrown fade pass from Killingsworth to Harris that went for 24-yards and set up the Mustangs inside the Benjamin Russell 5-yard line.
After the Stanhope Elmore defense held Benjamin Russell to a 3 and out, the Mustangs struck on their very next offensive play, with Killingsworth once again throwing a perfectly placed deep pass that landed in the outstretched arms of a streaking DJ McGhee. The receiver raced the rest of the way to the end zone for a 65-yard score to put the Mustangs up by two touchdowns.
The record night for the Stanhope Elmore quarterback continued in the 2nd quarter, as Killingsworth threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chase Eddings and followed that up a few minutes later with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Thomas.
Benjamin Russell was able to get their only score of the night just before halftime, with quarterback Elijah Spivey throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. The Mustangs went into the halftime break with a commanding 27-7 lead.
The Mustangs did not take their foot off the gas in the 3rd quarter. Killingsworth found McGhee for another long touchdown, this time a 62-yarder. The Mustangs’ scored their final touchdown late in the 3rd quarter with a one-yard touchdown rush by Amaji Truss. The score was set up by a 34-yard screen pass to Truss that put the Mustangs inside the Benjamin Russell 5-yard line.
Leading 41-7 entering the 4th quarter, the Mustangs showed mercy and brought out many starters and settled with running the ball. The Wildcats were able to get a safety early in the 4th quarter to close out the scoring at 41-9.
In addition to Killingsworth’s big night, the Mustangs’ skill players also were successful against the struggling Benjamin Russell defense. Teddy Harris had two receptions for 41 yards, and two rushes for 28 yards and one touchdown. McGhee had two receptions, both touchdowns totaling 127 yards. Eddings had two receptions for 22 yards and one touchdown. Thomas had two receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown. Truss had the reception for 34-yards and rushed the ball 10 times for 55 yards with one touchdown.
With the win, the Mustangs official record is 2-1. Stanhope Elmore’s opening week game against Opelika was officially considered a scrimmage and did not count against the Mustangs’ record. The Mustangs were originally scheduled to play at Selma the opening week, but the Saints cancelled less than two weeks before kickoff, so the game was counted as a victory for Stanhope Elmore by Selma’s forfeit.
After three weeks of playing in front of the home crowd, the Mustangs will face their first road test next week when they travel to Pelham to take on the Panthers in another Class 6A Region 3 contest. Pelham is currently 2-1 on the season, having played all three games so far this year on the road, including a season opening victory over Mortimer Jordan, as well as road win over Calera in region play.
