By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
Photos by Scott Nickerson and Tannehill Photography
Clinging to a 35-21 lead with less than three minutes remaining in the game, the Stanhope Elmore offense faced a 4th and 7 inside the Russell County 30-yard line. Quarterback Jacob Bryant completed a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Tevin Landrum, giving the Mustangs a first down. A few plays later, Troy wide receiver commit Jackson Thomas took a handoff and rushed 12-yards for the game sealing touchdown, giving the Mustangs their first win of the season, a 35-21 victory over Russell County on Homecoming at Foshee-Henderson Stadium.
After a scoreless 1st quarter, Stanhope Elmore wideout Israel Baker scored a 49-yard touchdown reception early in the 2nd quarter. The next Warrior offensive play, Mustangs defensive lineman Terry Burke picked up a Russell County fumble and rumbled 20 yards for a touchdown, putting Stanhope Elmore ahead 14-0.
Just before halftime, Russell County converted a 4th and 5, and then scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass with just 15 seconds remaining in the 1st half. The Mustangs went into the break ahead 14-7.
The visiting Warriors struck quickly in the 2nd half, scoring on a 48-yard touchdown pass, but they missed the extra point. On the ensuing possession, Bryant connected on passes of 25 and 13 yards, before Thomas scored his first rushing touchdown of the night from 7-yards out. The Mustangs lead was 21-13.
Later in the quarter, the Mustangs defense held Russell County on a 4th down at the Stanhope Elmore 30-yard line. A few plays later, Thomas rushed for 23-yards, and Bryant found Colton Walls for an 8-yard touchdown. The Mustangs went into the final quarter ahead 28-13.
The Warriors made things interesting halfway through the 4th quarter, scoring a 51-yard touchdown, and cutting the Mustang lead to 28-21. But the Mustangs offense came through in the clutch on the final drive in which they converted the crucial 4th down, and Thomas scored his second rushing touchdown of the night.
Bryant played great at quarterback, going 17-25 for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. Jackson Thomas, the top Mustang wideout, actually rushed the ball 6 times for 55 yards and 2 touchdowns. DeShaun Caffee intercepted two passes for the Mustangs.
Stanhope Elmore is now 1-2 for the season, but 1-0 in Class 6A Region 2. The Mustangs will have a bye next week, before traveling to Cramton Bowl in Montgomery on September 16, to face the Carver Wolverines in a Region 2 matchup. The Mustangs next home game will be on September 23 as they face Prattville.
