By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Stanhope Elmore football team had a lot going against them Friday night in a Class 6A Region 2 game against Russell County. An altercation in the final minute of last week’s win over Smiths Station resulted in four Mustangs suspended for this week’s game, to include the leading receiver on offense, the sack leader on the defensive line, and the interception leader in the secondary.
To make matters worse, starting quarterback Zac Holcombe suffered an injury against the Warriors in the 1st quarter and didn’t return. And despite all that, the Mustangs trailed by one touchdown and had a chance to tie the game when Russell County punted the ball to Stanhope Elmore with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, the punt rolled all the way to their 1-yard line. With the starting quarterback out of the game, the Mustangs attempted their first pass of the game after moving the ball to the 15-yard line. The pass was intercepted and returned to the 4-yard line. The Warriors scored on the next play, and pulled out the region win 42-28.
The Mustangs got on the scoreboard first in the opening quarter with a 3-yard score by Arthur McQueen. After an 11-yard touchdown pass for Russell County in the 2nd quarter, the Mustangs mounted another long drive. Damarrian Barnes had a 30-yard run for the Mustangs and later scored a 6-yard touchdown with under two minutes remaining. The extra point put Stanhope Elmore ahead 14-6.
The momentum turned late in the 2nd quarter. Facing a 4th and 5 at midfield with less than a minute remaining in the half, the Warriors threw a screen pass, and the receiver made numerous defenders miss running it for a touchdown. The two-point conversion tied the game at 14 with just 36 seconds left before halftime.
The ensuing kickoff was recovered by the Warriors. Two plays later, they were in the end zone again with 24 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. Russell County went into the half ahead 21-14.
Stanhope Elmore received the ball in the 3rd quarter, and the Mustangs continued their ground and pound style of play. Barnes had a 58-yard rush to move the ball deep in Russell County territory, and McQueen scored from three yards out a few plays later to tie the game at 21.
It didn’t last long. On the Warriors next offensive play, they scored on an 80-yard touchdown run. They scored another touchdown later in the quarter on a 36-yard pass and led 35-21 heading into the 4th quarter.
The Mustangs responded with a long drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown from McQueen to cut the lead to 35-28 with 7:30 minutes remaining in the game. The Warriors took almost five minutes off the clock until the Mustangs defense force the punt that was downed on the 1-yard line.
The Mustangs had two runners go over the 100-yard mark. Barnes rushed for 198 yards and 1 touchdown, while McQueen ran for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Mustangs’ record is now even at 3-3, and 1-2 in region play. They will host Pike Road next Friday. The Patriots are currently 4-3 overall but 4-0 in Class 6A Region 2.
Prior to the game, the SEHS Homecoming Court was presented. The Homecoming Queen was revealed as Kirsten Pearson and the King as Kam Anderson. See photo below in gallery.
