By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
The first possession of the game for Stanhope Elmore High appeared like it was going to result in an early touchdown for the Mustangs. Facing a 3rd and 3 at the Calera 6-yard Line, a false start penalty pushed the Mustangs back 5 yards. The very next play, Mustangs quarterback Jacob Bryant threw an interception in the end zone. A promising first drive resulted in no points. It was the closest the Mustangs would get to the Eagles end zone all night, falling 20-3 in a Class 6A Region 3 game.
Calera wide receiver Kobe Prentice, who is committed to play football next year at Alabama, had an outstanding game for the Eagles, catching two touchdowns and leading a strong receiving corps that accounted for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns total.
The Eagles got on the board near the end of the 1st quarter with a 19-yard touchdown pass that was set up by a 41-yard reception a few plays earlier.
After both teams exchanged punts, the Mustangs began their third possession of the game on the Calera 40-yard line. They would get to the visitors 11-yard line, but faced a 4th down and 5 and elected to go for the field goal. Kicker Andrew Wilson drilled a 28-yard field goal to cut the Eagles lead to 7-3.
The Mustangs fourth drive also appeared destined to result in points, with Stanhope Elmore converting a 4th and 5 at the Eagles 40-yard line. The Mustangs moved the ball to the Calera 30-yard line, but were unable to move the ball closer and convert the good field position into points.
Three of the Mustangs’ four possessions in the first half ended in Calera territory, yet those three possessions only resulted in 3 points for Stanhope Elmore. Calera held a 7-3 lead at the break.
After a scoreless 3rd quarter, Alabama commit Kobe Prentice scored a touchdown on a 14-yard reception. The Eagles missed the extra point, but Calera held a 13-3 lead with just under 11 minutes remaining in the game.
The Mustangs faced a 3rd and 3 on their next possession, but Bryant was sacked on a pass attempt, forcing a punt. The Eagles returned the punt to the Mustangs 36-yard line. A few plays later, the Eagles converted the good field position to points, passing for a 26-yard touchdown, and increasing the lead to 20-3. Stanhope Elmore was unable to get any more points on the board, and Calera came away with the 17 point road win.
For the night, Bryant was 15-30 for 133 yards, and 2 interceptions. Trone rushed the ball 27 times for 102 yards. Mustangs’ receiver Jackson Thomas had 9 receptions for 86 yards. The Mustangs defense only gave up 18 yards rushing on 17 attempts, but the Eagles scored 3 touchdowns on pass plays, going for 225 yards total.
The Mustangs fall to 4-3 overall, and 2-2 in Class 6A Region 3. The Mustangs will have a bye next week, while they prepare to host the undefeated Helena Huskies in two weeks October 15. The Huskies are currently ranked #5 in Class 6A. As the last regular season home game, it will mark Senior Night for the Mustangs.
Following the Helena game, Stanhope Elmore’s final two games of the regular season will be on the road at Wetumpka, in what might decide the final playoff spot in Region 3, and on the road in a non-region game at Smiths Station.
