ELKMONT STUNS HANCEVILLE BULLDOGS - DUST DEVIL IN THE STANDS

Friday night, the Elkmont Red Devils pulled off one of the biggest playoff upsets in the state by beating the 10-0, 4th ranked Hanceville Bulldogs, 28-13.

GAME SUMMARY:

To the start the game,  Hanceville received and Elkmont quickly stopped them on a three and out series.  Elkmont scored a touchdown on a 74 yards drive on their first possession which was capped by Hayden Huseth's thirteen yard run.  At the end of the first quarter, Elkmont led 7-0.

In the second quarter, Hanceville scored on a 44 yard pass play to tie the game at seven.  Elkmont came right back on a 76 yard drive.  Hayden Huseth ran 25 yards for the touchdown.   The PAT was perfect and the half ended with Elkmont leading 14-7.

In the third quarter, the Red Devils took the kickoff and began a 70 yard drive which ended with a sixteen yard touchdown run by Hayden Huseth.  The Bulldogs came back and scored on a one yard touchdown run, but the PAT was blocked by both Skyler Gant and Cody Martin.  The 3rd quarter ended with the Red Devils ahead 21-13.

In the fourth quarter, the Elkmont defense continued to stop Hanceville.  The Red Devils put the game away with a final drive which ended with a one yard touchdown run by Daniel Logan.  The game ended with the final score; Elkmont 28, Hanceville 13.

OBSERVATIONS:

On paper, the Red Devils did not have a chance to win Friday night.  However, football games aren't played on paper; they are played on the field where blood and guts, effort and determination are more important than statistics, records or 40 times.  Sean Holt and his Elkmont Red Devils believed they would win Friday night and showed it from the first play.  The defense held a team averaging 45 points per game on offense to just 13 points.  They held the Hanceville star running back and candidate for the 3A player of the year, Diamond Simmons, to 46 yards.  The offensive play calling was outstanding, an effective mix of read option runs, sweeps and a variety of passes.  The offense kept the Bulldog defense on its heels all night.  The kicking, punting and other special teams play was at its normal outstanding level.  This was a team win with everyone contributing.  This was a great win for the program and for the seniors and it sets up a a second round playoff game with Madison Academy at Boss Hill Stadium next Friday night.

PREDICTION:

The Dust Devil predicts the Red Devils will continue their playoff run with a 21-20 win over the Madison Academy Mustangs next Friday.