Biggest change for this season:
The Red Devils move up from Class 3A to Class 4A. Elkmont is the sixth-smallest school in 4A, with an average daily attendance in grades 10-12 of 303.5. West Morgan is the smallest in 4A at 297.9. Elkmont will be playing in Class 4A, Region 8 with West Limestone, Rogers, Wilson, Deshler, Central-Florence and Brooks, which is moving down from Class 5A. Elkmont and Central are the only schools in the region that did not make the playoffs last season. The Red Devils’ non-region games are with Clements, Ardmore, Lexington and Falkville.
Head coach: Duane Wales starts his second season as head coach at his alma mater. The 49-year-old also has coached at Clements and Ardmore. “This
is the job I’ve always dreamed about,” Wales said. “I take a lot of
pride in the football program because my grandfather, father and I all
played here. That means a lot.”
Last season: Elkmont went 1-9 last season while scoring an average of 13.6 points a game while giving up 33.7 points. The Red Devils lost three games by eight points or less.
Last three seasons: Last season’s record was an improvement over the 0-10 record in 2016. The 2015 Red Devils went 2-8. Elkmont went 8-3 in 2014. “Schools our size have an up-and-down cycle of athletes,” Wales said. “We’ve been in a down cycle since the year after we went to the playoffs, but I see us heading back up.
Words to grow on: “Playing
in 4A will be a challenge that we have to face,” Wales said. “It’s up
to us to take up that challenge every Friday night.”
Quarterback: Senior Davis Hobbs gives the Red Devils experience at this key position. He started all 10 games last season.“He got better every game last season,” Wales said. “He’s continued to improve this summer and has done really well in 7-on-7s.”
Offense: The Red Devils will be in the spread formation looking to run the football. Peyton Lovell and Luke Claunch should get most of the carries. Jesse Hicklen at center and Benji Hanback at tackle will lead the blocking.
Defense: Ben Hobbs is expected to be a leader in the secondary. Clay Hunt will start at linebacker or defensive end. Seth Coffman will be the strong safety. Lovell and Claunch lead the linebackers. Handback and Hicklin also will see time on defense. “We have several that will play on both sides of the ball,” Wales said. “We have enough that we can make it work, if we are careful with our substitutions. We want everybody ready for the fourth quarter.”
Must-see game: The season opener at home Friday vs. Clements is a big rivalry game. The teams closed out last season with Clements winning, 7-0, at Elkmont. The second game at Ardmore is a renewal of a neighborhood rivalry. They have played 72 times dating to 1935. Ardmore holds a 45-27 advantage and has won five of the last six meetings.
Final word: “We really need this team to believe in themselves,” Wales said. “We need to get off to a good start.”
— David Elwell
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