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