Stanhope Elmore Defeats Park Crossing 27-6 for 3rd Win of the Season

By Scott Nickerson

Elmore/Autauga News

The Stanhope Elmore Mustangs intercepted four passes in the first half of their Class 6A Region 2 contest against the Park Crossing Thunderbirds, one of which Deshaun Caffee returned for a touchdown, helping the Mustangs cruise to a 27-6 win.

It was senior night for Park Crossing, and they attempted to gain early momentum by doing an onside kick on the opening kickoff. The Thunderbirds recovered the kick, but OJ Morris picked off a Thunderbirds’ pass, and returned it to Park Crossing 33-yard line.  Mustangs’ standout Jackson Thomas followed a 20-yard reception with a 2-yard touchdown run to put Stanhope Elmore up by a touchdown.

On their second possession of the game, Mustangs’ quarterback Jacob Bryant found Colton Walls for a 25-yard touchdown, and Stanhope Elmore moved ahead 14-0 late in the 1st quarter.

Neither team was able to put points on the board in the 2nd quarter until Caffee’s interception return for a touchdown moved the Mustangs ahead 21-0 just before halftime.

The Thunderbirds were able to get on the board with a long drive to start the 3rd quarter. However, the Mustangs committed a roughing the kicker penalty on 4th and 18 that prolonged the drive. Then, the Mustangs were flagged for two pass interference penalties, one on a 3rd and long, to help the Thunderbirds move the ball 45 yards on Mustang penalties. Park Crossing was able to score on a 12-yard rush halfway through the 3rd quarter, but the extra point was no good, and the Mustang lead was 21-6.

Stanhope Elmore answered on the next drive, and Bryant found Walls for a 14-yard touchdown pass on the last play of the 3rd quarter. Neither team scored in the 4th, and the Mustangs held on for an easy 27-6 victory over the winless Park Crossing Thunderbirds.

The Mustangs have now won two games in a row and improve to 3-6 on the season. They finished Class 6A Region 2 play with a 3-3 record. They will conclude the season on the road next Thursday night against Minor. The Tigers are 4-5 this season and have lost their last three games.