By Scott Nickerson, EAN Sportswriter
The Stanhope Elmore offense leaned on their offensive line and running backs in the annual rivalry showdown against the Wetumpka Indians, and it led to an impressive showing in a 23-13 win for the Mustangs. The win marked the 3rd consecutive win for the Mustangs over the Indians.
A week after throwing more than 30 passes in a Class 6A Region 3 contest against Helena, the Mustangs only put the ball in the air six times against Wetumpka, but they made the most of it when they did, converting several first downs along with a touchdown pass to Chase Eddings.
On the Mustangs’ first offensive possession, Killingsworth threw a deep pass into the end zone that was intercepted by the Indians. However, a pass interference penalty against Wetumpka negated the play. The Mustangs made the most of the second chance, with running back Antonio Trone scoring a touchdown from 10-yards out to put the Mustangs ahead 6-0. The snap on the extra point attempt was not handled cleanly, and the Mustangs lead remained six.
Wetumpka took their sole lead of the game on the next possession after quarterback Robert Rose threw a 40-yard touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was good and Wetumpka led 7-6 with less than one minute remaining in the 1st quarter.
Moving the ball close to the Wetumpka goal-line in the 2nd quarter, the Indians stuffed a couple of Mustang rushes. On the next play, Trone took the ball in the backfield and appeared ready to attempt another rushing touchdown. However, Trone jumped up with the ball and attempted to throw a pass to a Mustang offensive player that was behind the defense. The ball slipped out of Trone’s hand, was ruled a fumble, and Wetumpka recovered on their own 2-yard line. It seemed a huge missed opportunity for the Mustangs, but on the very next play, the Indians fumbled the ball back, and Stanhope Elmore defensive end Caleb Foster recovered at the Wetumpka 4-yard line. The Indians defense held the Mustangs out of the end zone, but Jacob Bryant was able to kick a 24-yard field goal to put the Mustangs ahead 9-7.
The Mustangs’ defense quickly got the ball back to their offense, starting the drive on the Wetumpka 39-yard line. Killingsworth kept the drive alive with a three yard rush on 4th and 2. He moved the chains again with a 13-yard rush, and finished the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Eddings. The extra point was converted by Bryant, and the Mustangs went into the half ahead 16-7.
Stanhope Elmore received the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, and the Mustangs marched the ball methodically down the field. Killingsworth connected with Eddings for a 16-yard reception, and followed that up with a 14-yard reception. Freshman running back Amaji Truss finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown, and the Mustangs moved ahead 23-7 early in the 3rd quarter.
With just over 7 minutes to go in the 4th quarter, Wetumpka quarterback Robert Rose completed a 35-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 22 to give the Indians a chance. With the score 23-13, the Indians went for a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 8 points. The Indians drew up a good play, but the receiver dropped the ball, and the lead remained 10 points.
Wetumpka would get the ball back again late in the game, but the drive was ended with a big sack by Mustang defensive end Willam Whitlow, his fourth sack of the night, sealing the 23-13 win for Stanhope Elmore.
For the night, Trone rushed the ball 26 times for 109 yards and 1 touchdown. Truss rushed 10 times for 38 yards and 1 touchdown. Killingsworth completed five of six passes for 68 yards and 1 touchdown, his 15th touchdown pass this season. Eddings had four of the five Mustang receptions for the game, one of which was for a touchdown.
With the win, the Mustangs end in a 3-way tie with Wetumpka and Helena for the all important #2 seed in Class 6A Region 3, which guarantees a home playoff game in the 1st round of the Class 6A playoffs starting in two weeks. The tie-breaker will be officially determined next week by the number of wins of defeated non-region opponents.
In the last game of the regular season, the Mustangs will face Class 7A Smiths Station in a non-region contest. The Panthers are 3-6 on the year.
