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