JUST TWO POINTS ....

A few plays into the second half of Friday’s rivalry game between West Limestone and Elkmont, it was clear the last team with the ball would win the game. West Limestone’s players scraped and clawed for four quarters to make sure they were the ones holding onto that ball when the clock hit zero.  A back-and-forth game with four lead changes in the second half saw the Wildcats emerge 25-23 victors over Elkmont in a non-region game at James Kennemer Stadium.

Trailing 23-19 mid way through the fourth quarter, Logan Pugh gave West the go ahead touchdown on a 42-yard touchdown after Elkmont had just stopped the Wildcats on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line.

West Limestone’s defense tightened up to force an interception on Elkmont’s final drive. The turnover nearly gave Elkmont a gift on the fourth down play, however, when the ball was fumbled after the interception and the visitors nearly recovered past the first down marker.  Just as they had all game, the Wildcats fought at the bottom of the pile to emerge with the ball and ran out the clock for the win.

West Limestone’s defensive stop in the final minutes followed a third quarter scoring spree from both teams. Trailing 13-10 at halftime, Elkmont put together a seven play 64 yard drive, capped by a Jared Bailey 1-yard plunge.


Elkmont’s first lead of the game didn’t last long as West answered with a 63 yard drive of its own. Tucker McCormick’s 13 yard run put the home team back in the lead 19-17. McCormick carried the load on the scoring drive that included seven runs, mostly up the gut of the Red Devils defense.
Not to be outdone, Elkmont’s Mike Tucker ripped off a 65-yard run on the next play from scrimmage and scored from two yards out on the next play to regain the lead with just over five minutes to play in the third quarter.

Tucker led Elkmont with 12 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown. Dillon Miller led the way for West Limestone with 13 carries for 118 yards and touchdown. McCormick added 113 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown.  Miller’s second quarter touchdown gave Elkmont a 13-3 lead early in the second quarter when it looked like the Wildcats might run away with the game.  A creative blend of play calling that included reverse passes and a fake punt ensured Elkmont stayed in the game until its ground game took over in the third quarter.

 
Elkmont’s ground game racked up 206 yards while West Limestone rushed for 316 as a team.
Elkmont had three players throw passes, most by Jordan Bailey who completed 4 of 11 pass attempts for 96 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Rhett Bailey caught two passes for 75 yards and one touchdown.

Elkmont will be traveling to Madison Academy next Friday.

For complete article, click on link: News Courier
Photos by Down Home Portraits; 117 pictures of game action.  To order prints, click on link: EHS vs West Limestone

MEET THE WEST LIMESTONE WILDCATS

Maybe this is the year the numbers align for the West Limestone Wildcats. After back-to-back seasons with .500 records (6-6 in 2011 and 5-5 in 2012), the most important numbers for the football program are the 10 starters back on offense and eight starters on defense.

"We have a strong senior class with many three-year starters," said Arnsparger. "Our expectations are high for this season. That's the way it should be every season." Another important number is two. It's the second season for the Wildcats to run out of the Wing-T formation after switching from a more pro-style offense. Arnsparger thinks the experience and familiarity with the Wing-T should make a difference this season."The Wing-T is easier to coach," explained Arnsparger. "There's less to teach. It's based on deception. You hope that while the defense is trying to determine who has the football, you are already past them and headed downfield. It's a perfect offense for the type of athletes we have."
 
Offense:
Drew Blakely, a junior, will take over at quarterback this season. Blakely was a starter at defensive back last season. "He's got game experience and he's a good leader," said Arnsparger. "He's perfect for the role of quarterback in our offense." Dillon Miller and Logan Pugh are the top returning rushers. Both had more than 800 yards rushing last season. The fullback is Tucker McCormick and he had more than 400 yards rushing.The offensive line is led by three-year starter Hunter Rouse. The line should push opposing defensive lineman off the ball all season long. The guards are juniors Preston Moss and Craig Chayse. Tyler Widner and Dakota Siniard are the tackles. Matthew Reyer is the tight end.

"It's going to be one of the biggest offensive lines we've ever had," said Arnsparger. "They are not just big, they are athletic. A couple of them have lost some weight and they move much better."
 
Defense:
Improvement on defense is vital for the Wildcats this season. Last season's defense gave up 355 points. Almost half of that number (169) came in the first three games of the season to rival Clements and region foes Brooks and Central Florence. The defensive line is bigger and will cut down on rushing yards. The defense is led by McCormick at middle linebacker. "We got off to a rough start last season, but I think we improved a lot by the end of the season," said McCormick. Pugh and Reyer join McCormick in the linebacker corps. The defensive line spots will be manned by Widner, Chayse, Moss and Siniard. Romero and Blakely are the cornerbacks. Mewbourn and Miller will be at the safety positions. 

"With the experience we have on offense and defense, I expect us to compete in our region," said Arnsparger. "Brooks is going have another great team. After Brooks, there are a lot of good teams, and we'll be in the mix."

Article: Decatur Daily

 Box Scores - Max Preps

 Sep 20 - Football Box Score - Link to Game Stats:             

Box Score	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
West Limestone	7	7	21	14	49
East Lawrence	0	13	0	0	13

• Alabama High School Football - East Lawrence trounced by West Limestone

  West Limestone Wildcats fans left the game satisfied Friday as they observed their football team rout the host East Lawrence Eagles, 49-13 in a league test. With the win, West Limestone improves its record to 2-2 on the season. The Wildcats host Elkmont to confront the Red Devils in a non-league test on Friday, September 27. The Red Devils go into the test with a record of 2 -2. Elkmont won 35-21 in their recent league test against West Morgan.  
  
  Sep 06 @ 7:00 - Football Box Score - Game Stats Link
  

  West Limestone (2-2, 1-1 Away)  Brooks (4-0, 2-0 Home)

  Box Score	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
  West Limestone	0	12	0	0	12
  Brooks	7	7	0	13	27

   
  Aug 30 - Football Box Score - Game Stats Link
  

  Clements (2-3, 2-2 Away) West Limestone (2-2, 1-1 Home)

  
  

  Box Score	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
  Clements	6	0	0	0	6
  West Limestone	14	8	14	8	44

#	Name	Position	Gr.	Ht	Wt
2	Steve Romero	WR	Sr.	5-9	175
3	Blakely Drew	QB	Jr.	5-9	160
4	Bryson Leopard	WR	Fr.	5-8	140
5	Peyton Boldin	WR	Jr.	6-1	160
6	Alex Maples	WR	Fr.	5-10	140
8	Chase Lancaster	FB, LB	Fr.	5-10	180
9	Dillon Miller	TE	Sr.	6-0	185
10	Reed Walker	DB, WR	Fr.	5-6	150
12	Reed Blankenship	WR, CB	Fr.	5-9	150
14	John Bachus	QB	8th	6-2	170
15	Matthew Reyer (C)	OLB, TE, LS	Sr.	6-1	195
17	Isaac Ritterbush	DB	So.	5-6	145
20	Preston Johnson	DB, WR	Fr.	5-8	140
21	Nick Freeman	RB, LB	Fr.	5-7	140
22	Tucker McCormick (C)	HB, LB	Sr.	6-0	168
23	Austin Province	TE, LB	Sr.	6-0	140
24	Tyler Mewbourn	FB	Sr.	5-9	150
25	Logan Pugh	RB	Sr.	5-7	160
27	Cole Smith	CB, WR	Fr.	5-8	145
32	Levi Kirby	DB	Fr.	5-6	135
35	Tanner Walker	CB	Fr.	5-6	150
42	Jake Wallace	RB	Jr.	5-9	155
44	Cody Shedd	LB	So.	5-8	150
50	Jesse Hayes	OL, DL	Fr.	5-8	170
51	Colt Pugh	OL, DL	Fr.	5-8	165
53	Lance Nichols	OL, DL	Fr.	5-8	150
54	Cody Smith	OL, DL	Fr.	5-9	180
55	Chayse Craig	DB	Jr.	5-10	160
56	Preston Moss	OL	Jr.	5-10	200
57	Kelton Craig	OL, DL	Fr.	5-9	175
58	Michael Tribble	C	Fr.	5-8	190
59	Brayden Clem	C	So.	5-7	160
60	Matthew Day	OL	Jr.	5-11	190
62	Lazarus Williams	OL	Fr.	6-1	195
64	Eli Rogers	OL	So.	5-7	170
65	Brayden Craig	OL, LB	Fr.	5-8	150
67	Brent Gainey	OL	Fr.	5-9	185
72	Junior Fierro	OL	Sr.	6-0	210
76	Dakota Siniard	OL	Jr.	6-3	245
79	Devin Widner	OL	Sr.	5-11	300
80	Andrew Thornton	DE	Fr.	5-10	170
82	Matthew Sanders	K	Jr.	5-7	160
85	Tyler Bates	TE, DL	Fr.	5-8	170
88	Joseph Willingham	TE	So.	5-3	125