BY: SCOTT NICKERSON
For the majority of the 1st half, the Stanhope Elmore football team seemed in control. Eufaula didn’t get a first down in the 1st quarter. The Mustangs defense was dominant, led by defensive lineman JaQuize Buycks, who is committed to play next year at Liberty University. The offense moved the ball well between the 20-yard lines, but like last week, struggled to convert when reaching the opponent’s sided of the field. Leading 7-0 with less than 4 minutes until halftime, a disastrous sequence of events saw the Tigers score 16 points in a 90 second span, and hang on for a 22-14 win.
The Mustangs moved the ball deep inside Eufaula territory on the first possession of the game, but quarterback Jacob Bryant threw his first interception of the season inside the Tigers’ 20-yard line. After Eufaula went three and out, the Mustangs got the ball back and moved it to the Tigers’ 21-yard line. Stanhope failed to convert on a 4th and 2. The defense again got the ball back to the offense and the Mustangs’ next drive started with great field position at their own 45-yard line, but three consecutive incompletions stopped the drive.
Buycks recovered a Eufaula fumble on the next possession. The very next play, Mustangs’ running back Davion Thomas busted threw the line for a 34-yard touchdown rush to put the Mustangs ahead.
Eufaula was finally able to gain some yardage on the ensuing possession, but Buycks continued his dominance, deflecting a 3rd down pass and forcing a punt. The Tigers punt rolled inside the Mustangs’ 10-yard line.
The Mustangs’ offense failed to move the sticks, and that is when things quickly fell apart. Backed up to their own goal line, the Mustangs got off a great 53 yard punt. However, the field position changing punt was called back because of a holding penalty. The Mustangs had to re-do the punt, and on the next attempt, the snap was low and hit the ground, and the punter’s knee went to the ground inside the end zone, resulting in a safety.
With the score 7-2, the Mustangs kicked the ball off to Eufaula. The second play of the drive resulted in a 49-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers converted the two point conversion to go up 10-7.
The Mustangs fumbled the ball away on the very first play of the next drive. Eufaula took over at the 35-yard line. The Tigers quarterback rushed for 20 yards on the first play, and scored from 15-yards out on the next play. The extra point failed, but just like that, a 7-0 lead with 3:30 left in the 2nd quarter evaporated and Stanhope Elmore trailed 16-7 with 2:07 remaining.
The Mustangs started the 2nd half hot, intercepting the Eufaula quarterback. After a Mustangs’ punt, Eufaula attempted a fake punt near midfield, but the Mustangs stopped them and took over in Tiger territory. The Stanhope Elmore offense moved the ball to the Eufaula 33-yard line, but threw the ball four straight times, all incompletions.
Buycks continued his dominance on defense, recovering another fumble, his second of the game. The turnover again sparked the Mustangs, as Thomas busted through the line for a 57-yard run that got the ball inside the Eufaula 10-yard line. Facing a 4th and goal from the 7-yard line, Bryant found Colton Walls in the end zone for a touchdown, and the lead was cut to 16-14 with a minute remaining in the 3rd quarter.
After the Mustangs defense again held firm, the offense got the ball to the Eufaula 29-yard line, but once again, turned the ball over on downs. The Mustangs got the ball back a few minutes later, and decided to go for it on 4th down at midfield. They failed to convert, and shortly thereafter, Eufaula scored a touchdown with two minutes remaining in the game. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score 22-14, and giving the Mustangs a chance for a game tying touchdown and two point conversion.
For the second week in a row, the Mustangs had the ball in the final minute with a chance to tie the game, but this week ended the same as week 1, with the offense unable to put the ball in the end zone.
For the game, Bryant went 20-42 for 146 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Davion Thomas rushed 18 times for 147 yards and 1 touchdowns. Jackson Thomas had 9 receptions for 50 yards. Buycks had two fumble recoveries, one deflected pass, and a multitude of tackles. The Mustangs fall to 0-2, but both games were non-region games. Regional play starts next week, as Stanhope Elmore hosts Russell County for homecoming. A victory in the opening Class 6A Region 2 game is vitally important, as the new region will include challenging games against, Carver, Lanier, Park Crossing, Wetumpka, and Pike Road.
