By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
There were several decisive plays in the final minute of the Class 6A Region 2 opener between Stanhope Elmore and Percy Julian at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Trailing 20-16 late in the 4th quarter, Percy Julian converted a 3rd and 10 with a 23-yard screen pass. A few plays later, the Phoenix had a 27-yard touchdown pass across the middle of the field to take a 22-20 lead.
The extra point was blocked by the Mustangs, and they got the ball back with less than 40 seconds remaining in the game. At that point, the Mustangs had only attempted one pass, and it was a pass interference penalty against Percy Julian.
However, Holcombe found receiver Jamari Coleman streaking down the sideline for a 50-yard gain, and he was tackled at the 5-yard line. The Mustangs ran one more play but were unable to put the ball in the end zone, so they called a timeout with one second left in the game and brought out the field goal team for a 22-yard attempt. On the game deciding kick, a Percy Julian defender was able to get behind the line and partially block the attempt, sealing the win for the Phoenix, 22-20.
Both offenses started slow in the 1st quarter. With the ball at their own 5-yard line, the Mustangs quarterback was sacked in the end zone for a safety to give Percy Julian a 2-0 lead with 4:30 to play in the opening quarter.
Midway through the 2nd quarter, Percy Julian had the ball deep in their own territory. Mustang defensive lineman Kam Anderson pressured the quarterback on a pass attempt, causing him to try and throw the ball away out of bounds. SEHS corner Jay Stone made a great play on the ball, intercepting it and getting a foot down in play as his momentum carried him out of bounds.
The Mustangs started with the ball at the Phoenix 23-yard line and converted it into points a few plays later when SEHS running back Arthur McQueen scored on a direct snap from 4-yards out. The Mustangs held a 7-2 lead at the half.
The Phoenix would find offensive success in the 3rd quarter. They converted a 4th and 1, and the next play, scored from 32-yards out to take a 9-7 lead with under 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced between several Mustangs, and Percy Julian recovered the kick. Moments later, the Phoenix had a 44-yard touchdown run, and the lead was 16-7.
In the 2nd half, the Mustangs’ offense went to the wildcat formation, snapping the ball directly to McQueen. Moving into the red zone, McQueen handed it off to Coleman, who sped to the corner of the end zone for a SEHS touchdown. The Mustangs’ extra point was blocked, keeping the score 16-13.
The Mustangs got the ball back, and again went to their physical brand of football, with punishing rushes from their big back. The Mustangs reclaimed the lead on a 4-yard touchdown run from McQueen, moving ahead 20-16.
SEHS’ defense held and got the ball back, but the offense was forced to punt from their own 40-yard line late in the game. Kicker Colby Beyer booted a deep 60-yard punt that went into the Phoenix end zone. The Mustangs’ special teams were unable to get the ball stopped prior to crossing the goal line, and the Phoenix started their game winning drive at the 20-yard line.
For the night, McQueen had 33 rushes for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Coleman had a reception for 50-yards and an 11-yard touchdown rush.
The Mustangs will continue region play next week as they travel to Cramton Bowl again to face off against Park Crossing.
