By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News Sports
Two weeks into the season and the Prattville Lions have defeated two of their nearby Elmore County rivals. The Lions spoiled the first game in Wetumpka’s brand new stadium with a 41-13 win over the Indians in Week 1. They followed that with 29-6 win over Stanhope Elmore in the Prattville home opener Friday.
The Mustangs held tough in the 1st quarter, picking up a couple first downs on the opening drive and holding the Lions to a missed field goal when they got the ball for the first time. However, the Lions would score touchdowns on their next three drives, and the outcome was never again in doubt.
The Lions’ first touchdown came after a 41-yard pass from Quarterback EJ Ousley set up a 7-yard rushing score.
The Mustangs fumbled the ball on the next possession, giving the Lions the ball at the SEHS 44-yard line. The Lions took advantage, with Ousley finishing off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Albert Taggert. The Lions converted a two-point conversion attempt to move ahead 15-0 early in the 2nd quarter.
The Mustang offense was unable to move the chains on their next drive, and a 9-yard punt again gave the Lions outstanding field position. Taggert scored again with just under four minutes left in the 2nd quarter, moving the Lions ahead 22-0, which was the score at the half.
The Stanhope Elmore defense held Prattville on the first possession of the 3rd quarter, and the Mustangs started off at the Lions’ 39-yard line, with a chance to cut into the Prattville lead. Instead, the Lions defense pushed the Mustangs back. While the Stanhope Elmore defense held Prattville the next two possessions, the Prattville punter pinned the Mustangs deep inside their own territory, once at the 6-yard line, and later at the 1-yard line.
The Lions final score came after another short punt by the Mustangs gave Prattville the ball just 21-yards away from the end zone. The Lions scored on a running play to start the 4th quarter, pushing the lead to 29-0.
The Mustangs did show some resilience in the 4th quarter, apparently scoring a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Bryant to receiver Jackson Thomas. However, a holding penalty took the score off the board. The Mustangs were able to move the ball down field, and faced a 4th and goal from the 8 yard line. Bryant rolled right to pass, but couldn’t find a receiver and took off for the end zone. He was pulled down five yards short of the goal line, ending the Mustangs scoring threat.
Stanhope Elmore did have another chance moments later when linebacker Asher Brendelson stripped the Lions’ ball carrier and raced for the end zone, being pulled down inside the Prattville 10-yard line. The referees called the play dead at the moment of the turnover, so the Mustangs started further back. A few plays later, Bryant threw his first interception of the season, ending the Mustangs’ second scoring opportunity in the 4th quarter.
The Mustangs did manage to get on the board with just under a minute left, when a shotgun snap sailed high over the head of the Prattville quarterback, and Donnie Arnold picked up the ball to put the Mustangs on the board.
The Lions passing attack looked deadly, with Ousley throwing for 160 yards and 1 touchdown. The Lions rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Three of their four scores were the result of a short field, one coming after a SEHS fumble, two more after shanked punts less than 10 yards in distance. Next week, Prattville will start region play, facing Class 7A power Auburn High School. Auburn is 2-0 this year, and the Tigers have defeated Prattville 7 years in a row.
For the Mustangs, Bryant was 9-24 for 98 yards and 1 interception. Trone ran 16 times for 49 yards, and Davion Thomas rushed 10 times for 26 yards. Jackson Thomas and Kneikao Jackson both had 3 receptions. Next week, the Mustangs will travel to Alexander City to take on Class 6A Region 3 foe Benjamin Russell.
See more photos below.
