Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
There were a lot of firsts on Thursday night at 17 Springs Stadium in Millbrook. The Mustangs won the first ever game at 17 Springs, 40-0. The first points were a safety by the Mustangs’ defense. Dee Barnes scored the first touchdown, and he was the first player to score five touchdowns in a game. Jay Stone had the first interception. Davis Foshee completed the first pass. But there is one thing that did not happen. The opposing team did not get a first down. That will have to come at a later time.
The Mustangs’ defense completely dominated an outmatched Percy Julian team, not allowing a first down the entire game. The Phoenix had -4 yards at the end of the 1st quarter. They only completed two passes for positive yardage. Their longest run from scrimmage was 9 yards on a 3rd and 15.
“The defense was outstanding,” said Head Coach Hunter Adams. “Not sure I’ve eve coached a game where we didn’t allow a first down. Effort and execution were tremendous! Locked in, forced turnovers, and got stops on 3rd down. Played a complete ball game tonight.”
The scoring started after punter Grayson Jones pinned Percy Julian at their 2-yard line. A couple plays later, Deondre Washington made a tackle in the end zone for a safety, giving the Mustangs a 2-0 lead.
Zac Holcombe returned the kickoff to the Percy Julian 35-yard-line. Quarterback Davis Foshee completed passes of 12-yards and 10-yards to move the ball in the red zone, and Barnes finished it off with a 2-yard touchdown rush.
With the score 9-0 in the 2nd quarter, the Phoenix went for a 4th and 1 at their own 24-yard line. The Mustang defense held, and Barnes rushed for a touchdown on the very next play.
A partially deflected punt on the next possession gave the Mustangs the ball inside the Phoenix 40-yard line. Grayson Jones kicked a 27-yard field goal to move the Mustangs ahead 19-0.
The Mustangs recovered the ensuing kickoff and Barnes rushed four straight times, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown for the 26-0 lead.
The Mustangs scored two touchdowns in the first two minutes of the 3rd quarter to cap the scoring. After recovering a Percy Julian fumble on the 2nd half kickoff, the Mustangs again ran Barnes right at the Phoenix. He scored three plays later.
The first offensive play Percy Julian had the ball, they threw a backwards pass that landed on the ground and was recovered by Jacob Tharpe for the Mustangs. Barnes had a 24-yard touchdown moments later and John Espy converted the extra point, going 5-5 on the night, to complete the scoring with a 40-0 victory.
“It was a huge win on a lot of levels,” said Head Coach Adams. “To open our new facility with a region win of that quality is special! Kids answered the challenge to make a major moment, a ‘major moment.’”
For the night, Barnes rushed for 150 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. Through three games Barnes has rushed for 400 yards and 9 touchdowns.
The Mustangs are 2-1 overall, and 1-0 in Class 6A Region 2.
Stanhope Elmore will return to 17 Springs Stadium next Friday and host Park Crossing in another region matchup.
