Saturday, September 29, 2012

TURNOVERS SINK RED DEVILS


For the first time in 13 years, West Limestone enjoyed the short bus ride back to Salem after playing at cross-county rival Elkmont.

With the halftime score deadlocked at 14, the Wildcats took advantage of two key turnovers by Elkmont to defeat the feisty Red Devils 41-14 in a non-region tussle at a soggy Boss Hill Stadium Friday night.

Class 3A Elkmont (1-4) trails West Limestone 40-17-1 in a heated series that dates back to the early 1950s, but the Red Devils have dominated the rivalry in the past 13 seasons with a 9-3 record. During that span, Class 4A West Limestone (3-2), a former 3A school, beat Elkmont only in 2010 (35-34, 3OT), 2004 (20-12) and 1999, when the Wildcats earned a 34-28 road victory.

West took a 6-0 lead on a 4-yard Tucker McCormick run with 9:18 to play in the first quarter, but Elkmont seized a 7-6 advantage less than three minutes later in the quarter on a 27-yard TD by Dustin Ward and an Alexis Hernandez PAT.

In the second quarter, the Wildcats took a 14-8 lead on a 5-yard TD dash by Logan Pugh, but the Red Devils answered again when senior quarterback Bryant Wales connected on a 60-yard touchdown play to junior receiver Rhett Bailey, who was playing in his first game since sitting out the 2011 season and the first four games this season due to cancer.

With the halftime score tied at 14, Elkmont had the first possession in the third quarter, but West’s Matthew Reyer forced a fumble on a high snap and Pugh recovered the ball. The Wildcats’ offense took advantage of the turnover when Dillon Miller found the end zone from the Elkmont 4. The 2-point conversion failed, but West took the lead for good at 20-14.

West defensive back Drew Blakely picked off Wales on the next Elkmont possession, and the Wildcats turned the turnover into a 28-14 lead when Miller rushed for a 9-yard touchdown and Drake Lopez ran in the 2-point conversion.

West added 13 more points in the fourth quarter on a 51-yard scamper by Pugh and a 5-yard quarterback keeper by Caleb McConnell. The Wildcats went for two on Pugh’s score and didn’t convert, but Matthew Sanders booted the PAT on the second score for the 41-14 final score.

Pugh had a team-high 134 yards on 19 carries and a pair of touchdowns, and Miller finished with 18 carries for 118 yards and two scores.

Mike Tucker led Elkmont in rushing with 50 yards on six carries and finished with a team-high five tackles, and Ward added 43 yards on six rushes for one touchdown Wales finished 2 of 6 passing for 57 yards.

West outgained Elkmont 320-179, including 311 yards on the ground, and had a 15-5 advantage on first downs.







Pictures of the game are available from Down  Home Portraits.  
To order click on link:   Pictures

Thursday, September 27, 2012

WILDCATS COMING TO TOWN

It's going to be a great night for football, slight chance of rain and in the 70s.  West Limestone is coming to town and it is always fun when these teams meet.  The winner gets braggin' rights for the whole year and since the communities are so closely connected that matters.  Rhett Bailey who thought he would never play football again has been cleared by his doctors for contact sports so we will hopefully see him on the field.  Wish him the best.  Gates open early for this game @ 5 pm; seats will be at a premium so find yours before 6:30 pm if you want one.



PREDICTIONS:


ATHENS NEWS COURIER
— GAME OF THE WEEK
West Limestone at Elkmont

7 p.m., Boss Hill Stadium

Why it’s important: It’s the midway point in the regular season and high school teams across the state will play nonregion games this week before hitting the final stretch in October. Many will play rivalry games, including this matchup between a pair of teams that have met 58 times dating back to 1952. Elkmont has won six out of the last seven.

Preview: These county rivals both found the win column last week after struggling in back-to-back weeks in region play. Elkmont played its best game of the season in a 28-14 win over West Morgan, rushing for 253 yards on the ground. West Limestone got its ground game going again as well, piling up 296 yards in a 36-27 win over East Limestone. There will be enough carries to go around in this county rivalry.

Last year: Elkmont won 27-20

Series history: West Limestone 39 –17 with one game being tied

News Courier prediction: West Limestone 25, Elkmont 24
DECATUR DAILY
West Limestone (2-2)   at Elkmont (1-3)
Where: Boss Hill Stadium
Last season: Elkmont won 27-20.
The skinny: Elkmont snapped a three-game losing skid last week with a 28-14 win against West Morgan. … Dustin Ward led the Red Devils with 104 yards and two touchdowns in the win. … Consistency has been an issue for West Limestone. The Wildcats snapped a two-game losing skid last week with a 36-27 win against East Lawrence. … Running backs Tucker McCormick and Dillon Miller lead the Wildcats offensively … West Limestone leads the series 39-17-1.

The Daily picks: Elkmont 20, West Limestone 13

School Schedule
DateParticipantsReqSite LocationGame NameResults
08/31/2012 @ 07:00 pmClements High School (3A) Clements High School W 54 53
09/07/2012 @ 07:00 pmBrooks High School (4A)RWest Limestone High School L 7 54
09/14/2012 @ 07:00 pmCentral High School, Flor. (4ARCentral High School, Flor. L 12 62
09/21/2012 @ 07:00 pmEast Lawrence High School (4A)RWest Limestone High School W 36 27
09/28/2012 @ 07:00 pmElkmont High School (3A) Elkmont High School  
10/05/2012 @ 07:00 pmWilson High School (4A)RWilson High School  
10/12/2012 @ 07:00 pmRogers High School (3A)RWest Limestone High School  
10/19/2012 @ 07:00 pmPriceville High School (4A)RWest Limestone High School  
10/26/2012 @ 07:00 pmHaleyville High School (4A)RHaleyville High School  
11/02/2012 @ 07:00 pmArdmore High School (4A) West Limestone High School  
     
Team Roster
Jersey NumNamePositionGradeHeightWeight
2Steve Romerowr115'9"175
3Aaron Mcwilliamswr125'10"165
4Alex Ritterbushdb125'6"140
5Peyton Boldinwr106'1"160
6Isaac Ritterbushdb95'6"135
8Rudy Johnsonrb95'9"145
9Dillon Millerte/db116'0"170
10Jeremy Thrasherrb/d95'6"140
12Caleb Mcconnellqb126'0"165
14Joseph Willinghamte95'3"125
17Austin Simmsk125'11"175
21Thomas Blakelydb/qb105'11"160
22Tucker Mccormiclb/fb116'0"168
23Austin Provincete/lb116'0"140
25Logan Pughrb115'7"160
27Chayse Craigdb/rb105'10"160
32Forrest Lopezrb125'9"150
42Jake Wallacerb/db105'9"155
42Tyler Mewbournefb/db115'9"150
44Cody Sheddlb/rb95'8"150
51Matthew Reyerc/lb115'8"180
53Kyle Thorntonlb/ol125'9"160
54Jesse Hyattol95'6"155
56Preston Mossol105'10"200
59Brayden Clemc95'7"160
60Matthew Dayol/dl105'11"190
62Joe Polkol/dl105'9"280
65Eli Rogersol95'7"170
68Jace Batesol/dl105'9"240
72Junior Fierrool/dl116'0"210
73Hunter Rousec/dl115'11"240
74Blake Curnuttol/dl95'11"310
76Dakota Siniardol/dl106'3"245
79Devin Widnerol/dl115'11"300
82Matthew Sandersk/lb105'7"160
85Andrew Robbinsdb105'4"145
     

DUSTIN WARD - WEEK FOUR OUTSTANDING PLAYER

The Athens News Courier selects a player of the week during football season as well as recognizes other players for their outstanding play on the previous week's games.  This week Elkmont has a player that made the list.

Elkmont

Dustin Ward — Ward led an Elkmont rushing attack that racked up 253 yards on the ground in a 28-14 win against Elkmont. Ward carried the ball 14 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Other county players:
Hayden Stephens - player of the week
Ricky Lowery - Ardmore
Tucker McCormick - West Limestone
Dillon Miller - West Limestone
East Limestone - Matthew Franks


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

ELKMONT FOOTBALL GAINS TWO WINS MONDAY

Both teams rolled to easy wins on Monday.  Congrads to the teams and coaches on their victories.

Middle School beat Clements 34 - 6

JV beat Westminister 26 - 6.

MIDGET RED DEVILS WIN 19 - 18



Trailing 12-0 to West Limestone at half-time, the Elkmont Midgets knew that they would have to rely on their proven strengths and also throw in a little trickery if they were going to come from behind to secure a victory on a weekend that all other Elkmont football teams had won – and won big. 

Running back Xavier Watkins rushed for over 100 yards in the second half alone, scoring two touchdowns to tie the score, 12-12, at the end of regulation.  Elkmont started overtime on offense.  Stymied on three rushing attempts, the Red Devils looked to pass into the end zone on fourth down.  West Limestone had blanketed the receivers, however, and veteran quarterback Isaiah Sutherland headed for daylight, running into the endzone untouched to give the Red Devils a 18-12 lead.  Going for the extra point, everyone expected either Watkins or Sutherland to lead the team into the endzone as they have done all season; but, the time was right for some trickery.  Traditionally an offensive lineman, Josh Burrows had lined up all day as a blocking tight end.  With the game on the line, Burrows’ number was called; he ran a tight end sweep into the end zone for the extra point, pushing the score to 19-12.

Elkmont had little time to celebrate, turning its attention to defending the goal line in its first overtime game of the season. On its second play from scrimmage, West Limestone made it into the endzone.  Electing to go for two points and the win, the Wildcats ran a sweep to the left.  Fighting off a blocker for ten yards, Masin Morris finally broke free and stopped the West Limestone running back just shy of the goal line, securing the Red Devils' 19-18 victory by a matter of inches.

The Midgets (2-1) play again at noon on Saturday against Athens. 



Submitted by Midget Fan

Saturday, September 22, 2012

ELKMONT BREAKS THROUGH FOR FIRST WIN

The game deadlocked at halftime, Elkmont head coach Sean Holt challenged his young offensive line to dig deep and they responded by paving the way for two second-half touchdowns en route to the Red Devils’ 28-14 win over Class 3A, Region 8 rival West Morgan Friday night at Boss Hill Stadium.

Elkmont (1-3, 1-2) claimed its first victory this season by dominating the point of attack against West Morgan (1-3, 1-2) on both sides of the ball in the second half as the Rebels were held to 69 rushing yards in the final two quarters after gaining 173 on the ground in the first half.

The Red Devils deployed four running backs who had a turnover-free night and took advantage of ferocious blocking up front – anchored by senior center Jake Marshall, sophomore guards Kody Clark and Brent Stovall and sophomore tackles Jon Jon Willliams and Eli Vining — to gain 253 yards on only 36 carries for an average of just over seven yards per carry.

West Morgan opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run by Demetrius Warren with 3:28 remaining in the first quarter. Elkmont responded with a 4-yard TD run by Mike Tucker less than a minute into the second quarter and an 11-yard score by Dustin Ward with 6:05 left until halftime.

The Rebels tied the score at 14 heading into the locker room when quarterback Rodney Young, who had a team-high 126 yards on 17 carries, found the end zone on an 8-yard keeper with 3:01 left in the second.

It was all Elkmont in the second half as Ward struck again with a 2-yard TD with 4:05 left in the third quarter and a 2-yard keeper by quarterback Bryant Wales (3 of 4 passing for 25 yards) with 6:26 remaining in the fourth.

Ward led the Red Devils in rushing with 14 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns, and he also had a team-high nine tackles and two sacks. Mike Tucker ran 10 times for 44 yards and a TD, while Jared Bailey was 3 of 3 passing for 59 yards and rushed 10 times for 76 yards.

Elkmont hosts 4A West Limestone in a cross-county, non-region matchup Friday, while West Morgan plays 4A East Lawrence at home Friday.


—Michael Carter

Great pictures of the game are available from Down Home Portraits.  
To order click on link:   Pictures

Friday, September 21, 2012

MIDDLE SCHOOL SMASHES MADISON COUNTY

The Middle School Red Devils beat Madison County, 40 - 20.  Their next game will be Sept 24 @ Clements; Kick-off 5:30 PM


Great pictures of the game are available from Down  Home Portraits.  To order click on link:
Pictures

WEST MORGAN PREVIEW


The West Morgan Rebels are coming to Elkmont tonight.  Kickoff at 7 pm.

School Schedule
DateParticipantsReqSite LocationGame NameResults
08/30/2012 @ 07:00 pmPriceville High School (4A)DPriceville High SchoolL 20 36
09/07/2012 @ 07:00 pmClements High School (3A)RClements High SchoolW 54 0
09/14/2012 @ 07:00 pmColbert County High School (3ARWest Morgan High SchoolL 7 35
09/21/2012 @ 07:00 pmElkmont High School (3A)RElkmont High School
09/28/2012 @ 07:00 pmEast Lawrence High School (4A)West Morgan High School
10/05/2012 @ 07:00 pmDeshler High School (4A)RWest Morgan High School
10/12/2012 @ 07:00 pmLauderdale County High SchoolRLauderdale County High School
10/19/2012 @ 07:00 pmMadison Academy (3A)RMadison Academy
10/26/2012 @ 07:00 pmWestminster Christian AcademyRWest Morgan High School
11/01/2012 @ 07:00 pmHanceville High School (3A)DWest Morgan High School
     
Team Roster
Jersey NumNamePositionGradeHeightWeight
1RODNEY YOUNGQb/LB106'1"185
6JOHN KIRBYRb/Db95'11"160
7Keevis MetcalfWr/Db116'2"170
8ARTURO CONTRERASRb/Lb125'8"185
9Derrick CrossWr/Lb116'0"170
12William BryantWr/Dl115'10"185
14SHELTON STEWARTQb/Db115'11"175
15Tytrilocus GardnerRb/Db115'8"145
18Alvaro Dorsett95'5"120
19Randall HillWr/Db105'11"150
20GABRIEL ROSILEZRb/Lb105'7"165
21Demetrius WarrenRb/Lb126'1"215
22Bradley WilsonTe/Lb116'0"195
23ANTHONY BLACKWr/Db95'7"140
26RON MORGANRb/Lb95'7"160
29Geneva KyleRb/Db115'9"160
32BRANDEN TUCKERRb/Lb95'11"160
40JOSEPH CLEMRb/Lb125'10"195
42ANTHONY MORGANTe/Dl105'8"205
44Zachary MillsRb/Lb85'8"185
50Darius TeagueG/DL85'9"180
52DUSTIN BEASONC/Dl95'10"205
54AUSTIN BOLTONG/Dl115'11"210
56MATTHEW ROLINC/Lb95'9"160
57Salvador JassoT/Dl115'11"235
62Robert KranickT/Dl125'9"185
64Oliver AvilesT/DL95'11"170
65DOMENIC ROGERST/Dl126'1"280
66Michael GarrardG/Dl115'7"170
67Antonio HernandesT/DL86'0"220
70Jonah CollierG/DL85'10"215
76LOGAN JOHNSONC/Dl125'10"200
78Tyler BerryhillG/Dl115'9"185
     
PREDICTIONS
West Morgan (1-2, 1-1) at Elkmont (0-3, 0-2)                7 p.m., Boss Hill Stadium
ATHENS NEWS COURIER:
Preview: Elkmont will try to get its first win of the season against a West Morgan team that beat Clements 54-0 two weeks ago. The teams’ only common opponent thus far, Colbert County, beat both teams by four touchdowns. Elkmont has won the last five games in the series by an average of 12 points
News Courier prediction: West Morgan 20, Elkmont 14
DECATUR DAILY:
Last season: Elkmont won 31-6
The skinny: Playing in West Morgan’s run-oriented scheme, Demetrius Warren has averaged 141.5 yards during the past two games. … Dustin Ward rushed for 120 yards with a touchdown on 11 carries to lead Elkmont last week in a loss against Westminster Christian, while Bryant Wales added another touchdown run Elkmont’s defense is giving up 30.7 points per game while the Red Devils are averaging 10 points. … Elkmont leads the all-time series 16-10.

The Daily picks: West Morgan 14, Elkmont 13