ARDMORE RUNS PAST ELKMONT IN SEASON OPENER

The Ardmore Tigers' running game was too much for Elkmont in front of a capacity crowd at Boss Hill Stadium Friday.  The Tigers' ground attack came up with four touchdowns and 140 yards rushing for the win.


Elkmont opened the scoring late in the first quarter after a botched Ardmore fake punt. The Red Devils took advantage of the short field and used only three plays to score. Zeb Pankey capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run, and Daniel Valencia made the PAT, giving the home team a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers evened the score at 7-7 when Potter ran for his first score after an 11-play drive, including a successful fourth-down conversion. Austin Pugh rushed the ball seven times for 33 yards on the drive.

An Elkmont fumble allowed the Tigers to quickly strike again, with Potter scoring on a 7-yard run just moments after his first touchdown. Ardmore scored again at the end of the first half to extend the lead, 19-7. 

The Red Devils recouped and made some changes during halftime.  They returned the second-half kickoff 40 yards to set up a drive capped off by Eli Hobbs' 32-yard rushing touchdown, bringing Elkmont to within six points, extra point no good.

Ardmore responded with a 13-play drive, with Potter scoring his third touchdown from four yards out to increase the lead to 26-13.  
 

The Elkmont faithful were looking for a last second win when quarterback Jordan Nelson found Hunter Pitman with a 12 yard pass in the back of the end zone topped off with a good PAT for the touchdown scoring late in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 26-20. Nursing a six point lead with minutes to go, Ardmore stepped up with 1:20 remaining in the game. On a three yard, fourth down, the Tigers used a 44-yard touchdown to seal the game at 33-20.  

Ardmore has a massive front line and their game plan was to run, run, run.  Elkmont's younger and lighter defensive line wasn't able to hold. “We come to run the ball every game we play,” Ardmore Coach Clint Legg said. “Elkmont had trouble stopping our run game tonight. And our (freshman) quarterback Noah Barnett played a real efficient game for us.” 

Team Stats:
Elkmont: 304 yards of offense
12 First Downs,  9 Penalties for 80 yds

Ardmore: 
329 yds on 45 carries, 23 yds passing, and 5 TD, 7 Penalities for 60 yds

Offense:
Quarterback Jordan Nelson had 9 completions/14 attempts for 93 yds, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions

Rushing:
*Eli Hobbs        10 carries for 77 yds, 1 TD
*Zeb Pankey      5 carries for 47 yds, 1 TD
*Aron Moss had 7 carries for 34 yds 
*Conor Norman  3 carries for 29 yds 
*Jordan Nelson   2 carries for 24yds 

Receiving:

*Hunter Pitman 2 catches for 28 yds, 1 TD 
*Conor Norman 3 catches for 26 yds 
*Eli Hobbs           3 catches for 24 yds 

Defense:
Leading tackler: Eli Hobbs finished the night with 10 tackles and 2 sacks

Elkmont travels next week for a region game against the Brooks Lions.  

Fans in the Stands:
Devils played harder late. Wish that passing game had been there early. They didn't quit. Despite the injuries, horrific officiating, and less than classy actions of some, it was a great first game for Elkmont.  Love my school and it was represented well tonight. It was great to be back in the stands screaming my head off.
 
This morning and every morning it's GREAT to be an ELKMONT DEVIL!!! The outcome was not what we wanted, but our team played their hearts out and played with class!!! So proud of them, the cheerleaders and the band!!! Pride runs deep in our community and I'm blessed to call Elkmont my home! Fight on another day guys and know you're loved by many!!! GO BIG RED!!!! 

Big thanks to our Limestone County Sheriff's Dept. for a great job in providing security for our players, fans and officials last night at Elkmont High School. Little extra thanks for Donnie Joe Johns who showed up early to reserve parking for officials and special needs parking. Thanks guys !!

 

By Sarah Marlow

sources: Decatur Daily, Athens News Courier, Elkmont Football 
game photos: Down Home Portraits - be sure to order some prints 

MORE FOOTBALL AT BOSS HILL STADIUM

YOUTH FOOTBALL JAMBOREE TODAY

The county youth football league will start their season today.  Elkmont was selected to be the site for the Jamboree.  Our two Pee Wee teams play at 2 and 3 pm.  Come early and see the 5th Annual EHS Band Car Show as well as enjoy watching those little Devils play and cheer. 

LAST NIGHT'S PEP RALLY

Our community pep rally to kick off the football season was August 27.  Hill Spirit had a mix-up on the start time but Elkmont turned out anyway. The excitement of tonight's game against Ardmore brought them out early so the mistake in time didn't affect many of our Red Devil fans. 

Best of luck to our team as they go tiger hunting this evening.  It will be a full house and fans will be hanging out the windows so get there early and join the fun.


FAN IN THE STANDS
Devil Pride came out in spades at the pep rally tonight. Our community came together and showed their support for our Devils!!  

Our boys are ready to hunt those tigers!! Our band was awesome!! The cheerleaders did a wonderful job cheering for the boys and getting the crowd going!! Our Elkmont fans were on their feet the entire pep rally showing our Red Devil Spirit and getting our boys pumped up for tomorrow night!! 

Ashley Mcelyea 

ANOTHER FAN'S THOUGHT'S
I am sitting here watching the EHS pep rally. Band is sounding good, football players look good and cheerleaders are getting the crowd excited. Good luck this year RED DEVILS.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ARDMORE TIGERS?

The Ardmore Tigers are ready for a fresh start with two talented freshmen in Noah Barnett (quarterback) and Saul Rodriguez (kicker). Both are expected to see action immediately.

The pressure is on these two to carry the load in Class 5A, Region 8 play.

Offense and special teams goals are to protect these youngsters so they can make plays. This is essential for protecting the new 5-9, 160 pound quarterback.  

Offense

Although the Tigers will feature youth on the field for the season opener, Legg trusts his veteran protection for the Tigers’ pro-style offense. Returning to the lineup are three senior offensive linemen and a senior fullback. Leading the team’s offensive line is senior left tackle Garrett Hogan (6-1, 290).

“Our goal is to protect him so he feels comfortable on the field,” Hogan said. “Off the field, I know the pressure of being a freshman and starting, so I know what they are going through.”

Defense

Can the Tigers improve on defense? Last year, Ardmore averaged scoring nearly 28 points a game but allowed an average of 40 points a game. Ardmore’s 4-3 defense has had trouble in the past, but this year Legg’s plan is to hide.

“Hiding the coverage of the defense is very important,” he said. “That’s one of the aspects of the game we lacked, but we plan on doing better.” The defense is returning five starters, and weight room work should help the defense, too, Legg said.

Extra points

The biggest impact newcomer to the Tigers’ roster could be Rodriguez.

“It’s the first time since I’ve been here we’ve had a consistent kicker,” Legg said. “He relieves some of the pressure from the offense, because we can now kick field goals in tight possessions.”

Quick hits

• Senior left tackle Hogan benches 415 pounds and carries a 4.0 grade-point average. In his final year, he is excited to face rival Elkmont in the season opener Aug 28.
• The Tigers lead the Red Devils 42-27 in the overall series.

source: Decatur Daily 
 
Roster:

 

READY TO RUMBLE?

Ardmore comes to town tomorrow night to square off against our Red Devils This is a much anticipated game each year.  This annual county rival game is hard hitting and hotly contested.  Kick off: 7 pm

 

Fearless Prediction 

Elkmont 27, Ardmore 19

 

Preview: While the coaches are mostly the same, the players will be different in this annual county rivalry. No two teams lost more graduating seniors from a year ago than these two and both will find out a lot about themselves after Friday’s opener. Elkmont scored seven touchdowns and only had to throw the ball once a year ago while Ardmore matched them score for score most of the game. Look for fewer points this time.  

source: Athens News Courier
 

Decatur Daily Prediction

Where: Boss Hill Stadium

Radio: AM-1110

Last meeting: Elkmont won 49-27

The skinny: Ardmore holds a 42-27 lead in this series, which started in 1935. … Coach Sean Holt’s Elkmont Red Devils went 8-3 last season in Class 4A, Region 8 and made the playoffs. … Coach Clint Legg’s Ardmore Tigers were 2-8 last season in Class 5A, Region 8. … Eli Hobbs and Zeb Pankey are key players for Elkmont. They both start at running back and linebacker. … Jordan Nelson returns at quarterback for the Red Devils. … Ardmore is going with freshman Noah Barnett at quarterback. Senior lineman Garrett Hogan leads the offensive line.

source: Decatur Daily

GAME INFORMATION

• The game will be broadcast on WSLV 1110 AM ; additional link to wslvradio.com  
•  
• *Tailgating beginning at 5 PM. We will have a grill on hand, but please bring your own food to grill. 
•  Spirit Walk Friday at 5:30
• Weather -upper 70s, clear with a few clouds at kickoff

To help you get ready for tomorrow, here is the video from the 2011 game. Click on video title below to get to the game.
 

2011 Elkmont vs Ardmore 


Helpful hints:
SEATS WILL DISAPPEAR FAST TOMORROW. DON'T GET THERE LATER THAN 6:15 IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A SEAT.
Park in the youth field parking lot or softball parking lot. Parking at the main school parking lot will be a nightmare by 6:15.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ELKMONT RED DEVILS?

OVERVIEW

Elkmont is experiencing its best decade of football teams in the program’s 93-year history. Even with former NFL players like Michael Boley playing in the late 1990s, Elkmont did not win its first playoff game until 2008.  Since then, the Red Devils have won first-round playoff games in 2009 and 2011.

To do that in this rebuilding year, a lot of players with little experience will have to grow up in a hurry. The Red Devils lost 16 players from last year's  team (8-3).  This season’s roster is dominated by 26 sophomores and freshmen. There are 12 seniors, but only six played last year. There are just seven juniors.

OFFENSE

Jordan Nelson (6-1, 160, Sr.) is the answer at quarterback in the Red Devils’ Wing-T attack, which rushed for 2,890 yards last season. The three-year starter passed for five touchdowns and rushed for four. This year the Red Devils could shift to a more pass-happy attack.

Two of the top four running backs from last season return. They are Eli Hobbs (5-11, 185, Sr.) and Zeb Pankey (5-9, 170, Jr.). Last season, Hobbs rushed for 449 yards and five touchdowns. Pankey rushed for 499 yards and seven touchdowns.

The lone returning starter in the line is Travis Riggs (6-1, 250, Sr.). He’s moving from tackle to guard. The other returning starter on offense is receiver Noah Sharp (5-9, 150, Jr.). He caught 11 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns.

Joining Hobbs and Pankey in the running back rotation will be Connor Norman (5-8, 140, Jr.).

Help in the offensive line could come from Ethan Williams (5-8, 230, Sr.) and Hunter Coffman (5-10, 235, Sr.). Williams missed most of last season because of shoulder surgery. Coffman is returning to the team after not playing the last two seasons.

DEFENSE

While a lot of schools in the area have gone to the three-man defensive line, Elkmont is sticking with its 4-4 alignment. Holt likes his defense to be physical, especially up front.

Adrian Walker (5-10, 270, Sr.) anchors the line with Riggs, Williams and Coffman seeing time there, too. Hobbs and Pankey are the linebackers. Aron Moss (5-11, 155, Sr.) steps in at safety. Norman and Sharp will start in the defensive backfield. Showing promise in the secondary are Grant Murphy and Hunter Pittman.


“Defensively, it’s all new faces,” said Holt. “Even if they’ve played some, they are playing in a position where they hadn’t played before.”
Expect Nelson to see playing time there on crucial plays. Last season, Pankey had 52 tackles and two interceptions.  Hobbs had 35 tackles and one interception. They each returned one interception for a touchdown.

COACHES
Most of the coaches from last year have moved to different opportunities leaving Head Coach Sean Holt with new assistant coaches.  We may see some new wrinkles added to the Elkmont football program as their ideas are folded into the playbook.
Assistant Coach: Brad Brazeal
Assistant Coach; Josh Andrews
Assistant Coach: Dustin Pounders
Assistant Coach: Zach Standridge

After opening up the season at home against rivals Ardmore on Aug. 28, Elkmont travels to region favorites Brooks and Wilson over the next two weeks. A Sept. 18 home game against West Limestone could be the difference in making the playoffs or not.

Class 4A, Region 8: This might be the most balanced region in the state in any classification. Deshler, last year’s region champion, made it all the way to the championship game before losing to powerhouse Leeds. The Tigers have a new coach and must replace 19 starters.

Runner-up Wilson lost several key performers, but coach Scott Brown has built the program nicely and should be able to overcome those losses. Brooks looks to bounce back from a 5-5 season with longtime assistant Brad Black assuming head coaching duties.

Rogers (3-7) has been building back to respectability under coach Randal Martin and should be in the mix to claim a playoff berth for the first time since 2012. Central returns only five starters from a 5-6 season, while Elkmont, West Limestone and East Lawrence were a combined 6-24. Among those three, West Limestone is in the best position to challenge for a playoff berth.

Projected playoff teams: Brooks (region champ), Deshler, Wilson, Rogers

 

Sources: Athens News Courier,  Decatur Daily

2015  Red Devils Schedule:
08/28  @ 07:00 pm Ardmore High School  @ Elkmont

09/04  @ 07:00 pm Brooks High School     @ Brooks
 
09/11  @ 07:00 pm Wilson High School     @ Wilson

09/18  @ 07:00 pm West Limestone High    @ Elkmont

 09/25 @ 07:00 am  New Hope High School @ New Hope

10/02 @ 07:00 pm  Central High School      @ Elkmont

10/9   @ 07:00 pm  Deshler High School      @Deshler

10/16 @ 07:00 pm  Rogers @ Rogers

10/23 @ 07:00 pm  East Lawrence County @ Elkmont

10/30 @ 07:00 pm  Clements High School  @ Elkmont
Senior Night 

ELI HOBBS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Eli Hobbs suffered a separated shoulder playing football for the Red Devils last season.

The senior running back/linebacker said the most painful thing he experienced last season was watching his teammates play two games without him while he recovered.

“I got to be the towel guy on the sidelines,” Hobbs said. “I would wave it to get our fans fired up. I hated it. I needed to be playing in the game.”

Elkmont won both games (49-13 over West Limestone and 35-14 over New Hope), but Hobbs was determined not to miss another game. After talking with his doctor and coaches, it was decided that he could play as long as he could handle the pain.

Hobbs (5-foot-11, 185-pounds) helped the Red Devils to an 8-2 record and spot in the Class 4A state playoffs.  “That’s just the kind of kid he is,” Elkmont coach Sean Holt said. “He’s always got to be doing something. He’s not for standing around wastingtime. We can’t get him off the field. He’s in on everything we do on offense, defense and special teams. “If he’s not playing football, basketball or baseball, he’s working or doing something outside. You won’t catch him inside killing time playing video games.”

The trip to the playoffs was Elkmont’s first since 2011. The Red Devils set a school record with 344 points using the run-oriented Wing-T attack.

Four running backs split the rushing yards. Hobbs had 449 and five touchdowns. Three touchdowns came against rival Ardmore.  Hobbs and Zeb Pankey, the other returning back, could get more of the rushing load this season. The two will also start on defense as linebackers.

‘Got to love contact’

“If you are going to play football, you got to love contact,” Hobbs said. “That’s the way we play it here. It’s smash-mouth football. On offense or defense, I’m always looking to hit somebody. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Hobbs said he first hurt the shoulder early in the season when took a hit while running with the ball.  “I got hit on one side and fell right on the shoulder,” Hobbs said. “It hurt, but I could still play. It didn’t get any better and I had to say something to the trainer.”  For a guy who loves contact, complaining about pain just doesn’t seem right to him. More than once he’s been sidelined during a game by a concussion.  “They take my helmet and shoulder pads so I don’t try to get back in."

Favorite play: A block

Hobbs’ favorite play from last year was all about contact and it was not on a run or tackle by him.

“It was a block against Central,” Hobbs said. “It was a swing pass to Jared Bailey. I peeled back and took two of their guys out of the play. Jared went all the way for a touchdown. I’ll always remember that play.”

“People out here love Red Devil football,” Hobbs said. “When we started winning games, our student section got behind us big time. It really helped the team in some close games. I can’t wait to experience that again this year.”

Source: Decatur Daily

PRESEASON PREVIEW FROM THE DECATUR DAILY

The Decatur Daily has published two articles about Elkmont in the last few weeks, a player spotlight and a team.  It talks about both sides of the ball in a rebuilding season for the Red Devils. 

Article Overview:

A year ago the Elkmont Red Devils were a team with 16 seniors full of experience and high expectations. The Red Devils won eight games, made the playoffs out of Class 4A, Region 8 and set a school scoring record with 344 points.

“Last year’s success created a lot of excitement in the community,” Holt said. “It gave the kids a lot of confidence in our system. They found out that winning a lot of games can be fun.”

 

This season’s roster is dominated by 26 sophomores and freshmen. There are 12 seniors, but only six played last year. There are just seven juniors. We had answers for every position,” Holt said. “This year we have a lot of questions to answer with untested people. The answers will decide what kind of season we have.”

COMPLETE ARTICLE LINK 

ELI HOBBS ARTICLE

COMMUNITY PEP RALLY THIS THURSDAY

Ok, all you Elkmont Red Devil Football Fans....you know we have a BIG GAME this week. We are going to have a Community Pep Rally at Boss Hill Stadium, Thursday evening at 6 pm.  We want to see that place packed with Loud and Proud Red Devil Fans!! Please spread the word and share this post. Come join us as we make lots of noise on the Hilltop and we cheer our football team to a great victory Friday night! Go Red Devils!!! Beat Ardmore!!!!!

Elkmont Cheerleaders

LITTLE DEVILS HAVE PRACTICE TOO

Our young football players need to get ready for the upcoming season just like the high school Red Devils.  If your player is coming, he needs to be hydrated.  Keep plenty of fluids in him throughout the day, not cokes and sugary drinks. Be sure to dress him in  light colored clothing. And no junk food or greasy food before since it can cause cramps and throwing up. 

Conditioning is on Tuesday and Thursday @ 6 pm - 7:30 pm, Elkmont Youth Baseball Fields next to the school.  For more information contact Eddie Turner (Elkmont youth football coordinator) at home 256-732-3175, cell 256-998-8777.  Facebook page link

The coach is very conscious of the weather and there will be plenty of breaks and lots of water.  It is very difficult for kids that are used to being indoors during the summer to start playing without getting used to heat.  It will still be hot in August, September and sometimes October so please take advantage of this opportunity.

Tip: Be sure to bring water and a small cool damp towel to put around your player's neck during breaks. Put the towel in ice water in a 1 gallon zip lock and store it all in a little cooler or lunch sack.