Stanhope Elmore Defeats Park Crossing 56-14 on Homecoming; Queen, King Crowned

By Scott Nickerson

Elmore/Autauga News

Prior to the kickoff of Friday night’s SEHS game, the Homecoming Court was recognized. Congratulations to Bradley Lopez and Aysia Jackson who were named 2023 Stanhope Elmore Homecoming King and Queen.

As for the game, the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs’ football team put together their best performance of the season for Homecoming against the Park Crossing Thunderbirds. Five different Mustang offensive players scored touchdowns, and three Mustang defensive players had interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Darrin Smoke got things going on the Mustangs’ first drive, rushing for 51 yards, and moving the ball deep into Park Crossing territory.  Running back Arthur McQueen scored the first of three touchdowns a few plays later on a 3-yard rush to put the Mustangs up by a touchdown.

On Park Crossing’s next drive, Mustangs defensive end Thomas Williams had a tackle for loss on 1st down, and linebacker CJ Jackson had a tackle for loss on 3rd down, forcing a punt. The Mustangs took over the next possession at the Thunderbirds’ 27-yard line. A few plays later, McQueen scored his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard plunge.

The Thunderbirds were able to get on the board a few minutes later on a 35-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 5 to cut the lead to 14-6. The Mustangs would not let the score get any closer. Quarterback Jacob Bryant found KO Jackson for a 23-yard pass, and McQueen followed that up later with a 16-yard touchdown run to put Stanhope Elmore up 21-6 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Williams had another big tackle for loss early in the 2nd quarter to force a Thunderbirds punt. Bryant then connected with KO Jackson for a 33 yard pass and followed that with a 30-yard pass to receiver Jamari Coleman. The Mustangs moved the ball inside the Park Crossing 10-yard line but were unable to come away with points.

It didn’t matter. A few plays later, defensive back Randy Martin had an interception returned for a touchdown. The next Park Crossing possession, DeShaun Caffee had an interception for the Mustangs, but they weren’t able to convert the second turnover into points.

The Mustangs did get the ball back with about a minute left before halftime. Bryant connected with Smoke on a crossing route, and he turned it into a 45-yard gain. Bryant then found Coleman in the back corner of the end zone for his first touchdown pass of the night, and the Mustangs led 35-6 with 32 seconds remaining.

Park Crossing attempted a pass on their next possession, and Orenthal Martin picked off the third Thunderbirds’ pass of the 2nd quarter. With less than 20 seconds remaining until halftime, Bryant found Coleman for 15 yards, and then passed to Kam Anderson for a touchdown with 2 seconds remaining in the 1st half. The Mustangs led at halftime 42-6.

Stanhope Elmore added two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter. KO Jackson scored on a 15-yard touchdown rush, and freshman running back Damarrian Barnes had a 4-yard touchdown run. Park Crossing added a 4th quarter touchdown to complete the scoring at 56-14.

For the game, McQueen rushed for 95 yards and 3 touchdowns. Barnes had 61 yards and 1 touchdown. KO Jackson had 1 rushing touchdown for 15 yards.

Bryant passed for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns all in the 1st half.

Coleman had 4 receptions for 67 yards and 1 receiving touchdown.

With the win, the Mustangs record improves to 3-6. The final game of the season will be on Thursday night at home against Minor. The Tigers are also 3-6 on the season.