Sean Holt (fourth year, 12-20)
Offense:
The Red Devils' base offense will be the Wing-T, with two quarterbacks splitting the duties. They are Jared Bailey (5-11, 195, Sr.) and Jordan Nelson (6-1, 155, Jr.). "They both can run our offense and can do some different things," Holt said. "Playing both of them gives us depth at the position and lets us find who has the hot hand in a game." When Nelson is the QB, Bailey lines up as the lone running back behind him. The wingbacks are Mike Tucker (5-11, 186, Sr.) and Zeb Pankey (5-9, 175, Soph.). Eli Hobbs (5-10, 175, Jr.) is the lone wide receiver. Joshua Carter (6-1, 220, Sr.) is the tight end. When Bailey goes to QB, Pankey moves to running back. Hobbs is a wingback, and Nelson is the wide receiver.
Bailey, Tucker, Pankey and Hobbs combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing last season. Two other candidates at wingback are Preston Rouse (5-11, 180, Sr.) and Aron Moss (5-11, 180, Jr.). Colby Holt (5-11, 195, Jr.) could see time at running back.
"We've had a lot of good competition in the weight room and on the practice field," Holt said. Four seniors start in the offensive line. They are center Hunter Brazeal (5-10, 225), guards Brent Stovall (6-0, 225) and Kody Clark (5-11, 235) and tackle Eli Vining (6-1, 285). The other starting tackle is Travis Riggs (6-0, 270, Jr.). Another senior, Jon Jon Williams (6-3, 280), provides depth at tackle and tight end.
Defense:
Drew Thompson (6-2, 315, Sr.) and Adrian Walker (5-10, 290, Jr.) will be charged with clogging up the middle of the defense. The defensive ends are Carter and Stovall, with Williams helping out. Ethan Wilson (5-7, 240, Jr.) and Austin Moore (5-11, 235, Sr.) provide depth. Bailey and Pankey are the linebackers, with Clark moving around from a linebacker/end position. Holt will be at an outside stopper, along with Jarred Smallwood (6-2, 190, Sr.) and Jacob Anderson (5-10, 165, Sr.). Hobbs is the free safety. Rouse and Kaleb Wallace (6-1, 165, Sr.) man the corner spots. Noah Sharp (5-8, 135, Soph.) provides depth in the backfield.
Extra points
Holt is not excited about Elkmont (292 students) being the sixth-smallest school in Class 4A after the AHSAA reclassification, but there may be a positive. Being 4A for the first time gets the Red Devils out of 3A, Region 8 with the likes of defending state champion Madison Academy, Lauderdale County and Colbert County. Deshler, another power in 3A, made the jump with Elkmont to 4A, Region 8.
Alexis Hernandez (5-11, 175, Sr.) gives the Red Devils a weapon with his kicking leg. He had two 42-yard field goals last season. Holt estimates that half his kickoffs went for touchbacks.
Elkmont will dress about 35 players. Sixteen will be seniors. The last time the Red Devils had a senior class near that size was in 2011. Elkmont went 7-5 and advanced to the playoffs in what was Holt's first season. A junior class of eight gives Elkmont 24 players with lots of experience in a tough region.
Out of region opponents for Elkmont are Ardmore, New Hope and Clements.
David Elwell
Source: Decatur Daily - Link to Article
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