BY SCOTT NICKERSON
Elmore/Autauga News
The Stanhope Elmore football team opened the 2021 season with a dominate 37-0 victory over the Selma Saints. The Mustangs looked impressive in all three phases of the game, racking up over 280 yards of offense, holding Selma to less than 60 yards of offense with no points, and returning a blocked punt for a touchdown.
The defense even added to the total with a safety. The Mustangs made all five extra point attempts in wet and soggy conditions, four of which came after an hour delay for lightening and rain near the end of the 1st quarter. The defense and special teams combined to create 6 turnovers.
The opening kickoff saw the Mustangs recover a Selma fumble near the Saints’ 35 yard line. Stanhope promptly marched down the field and scored on a 4-yard touchdown run by Junior running back Antonio Trone.
A lightening delay with under two minutes left in the 1st quarter stopped action for an hour, during which time many Selma fans headed for the exits and did not return.
2nd quarter action saw a 34-yard touchdown pass from Bryant called back for a holding penalty. On the next play, Bryant lost control of the slick ball, and Selma recovered near midfield. It was one of the only scoring chances Selma had during the night, and it ended with an interception from the Mustangs’ secondary on a deep pass inside their own 5-yard line.
The teams went into the half with the Mustangs holding a one score advantage, 7-0.
The Mustangs defense recovered a Selma fumble inside their own 25-yard line early in the 3rd quarter, and Stanhope Elmore capitalized in a drive that ended with Trone scoring his 2nd touchdown of the night, this one from 8 yards out.
Later in the 3rd quarter, Orenthal Martin made the play of the game, smoothly grabbing the ball off the foot of the Selma punter as he kicked it, and then outracing everyone down the sideline to put the Mustangs up by 3 touchdowns.
The Mustang defense continued to dominate. Defensive back JaShawn Mays picked off a pass on the Saints next possession. The next time Selma got the ball, the Mustangs got a safety when linebacker Fred Bass ran the Selma quarterback out of the back of the end zone.
Stanhope Elmore added two rushing touchdowns in the 4th quarter from Running Back Davion Thomas, to complete the scoring at 37-0.
For the night, Junior Jacob Bryant started his first game behind center, and looked impressive early, completing his first four passes for 58 yards before the wet weather and rain. Bryant finished 6 – 14 for 82 yards. Trone rushed 22 times for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns. Thomas rushed 9 times for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jackson Thomas led the Mustang receiving corp with 3 receptions for 36 yards.
A much bigger test looms next week, as the Mustangs travel to Stanley Jensen stadium to face the Prattville Lions. The last time the Mustangs traveled to Prattville in 2019, the Lions won 42-0. Prattville is coming off a week 1 victory at Wetumpka. The Lions defeated the Indians 41-13.
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, August 27, at 7:00 p.m.
