By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
Leading 14-6 with less than three minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter of the season opening road contest at Shades Valley in Irondale, the Mustangs used two defensive touchdowns to pull ahead comfortably, and two impressive 4th quarter touchdown rushes by Freshman Damarrian Barnes to complete the blowout win, 42-13. It was the first game as Head Coach for Hunter Adams, who had served as the Stanhope Elmore Defensive Coordinator for the previous six seasons.
After a scoreless 1st quarter, the Mustangs’ defensive line came up with a big sack on 3rd and long, pushing the ball back to the Mounties 15-yard line. They managed only a 20-yard punt. The Mustangs converted the field position into points. Quarterback Jacob Bryant had a 28-yard rush and followed it up with a 2-yard touchdown run to score the first points of the season.
With just under a minute left in the half, the Mustangs scored on the first of several big plays on the night, when Bryant placed a beautiful pass on a dime to wide receiver Jamari Coleman for a 37-yard touchdown.
Shades Valley mounted their lone offensive threat during the night, converting a touchdown pass just two seconds before halftime to cut the lead to 14-6.
The 2nd half was dominated by the Mustangs, on both sides of the ball. Dezmond Barnes scored on a 30-yard fumble return touchdown. On the very next defensive play, KC Cunningham scored on a fumble return touchdown. Stanhope Elmore led 28-6 going into the 4th quarter.
Midway through the final quarter, Barnes scored the first of his two touchdowns, finding the end zone from 20-yards out. Shades Valley returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown for their last points of the night, but the Mustangs were still not done. Barnes immediately scored from 52-yards out, as the Mustangs cruised to a season opening win, 42-13.
For the night, Bryant threw for 78 yards, with 1 touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown. As a team, the Mustangs rushed for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Mustangs’ defense was dominant, allowing only 56 yards rushing and 26 yards passing. With two defensive touchdowns, the Stanhope Elmore defense scored more than the Shades Valley offense.
Other than giving up the kickoff return touchdown, the Mustangs’ special teams also did well. Junior kicker Colby Beyer easily made all six of his extra points. He also had a 49-yard punt in the 3rd quarter that flipped field position just prior to the Mustangs first defensive touchdown, and he rushed for a 1st down on a fake punt in the opening quarter.
The Mustangs’ home opener will be against the Eufaula Tigers next Friday at Foshee-Henderson Stadium in Millbrook. The Tigers lost their first game of the season on the road at Enterprise.
