WEST ROLLS IN SECOND HALF FOR WIN

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The Red Devils started the football game red-hot in staking a 23-14 halftime lead, but the visiting West Limestone Wildcats shut them out in the second half to win 43-23.

Alex Maples opened the first-quarter scoring for West with a 5-yard run, making it 7-0. But Elkmont responded just two plays later, when senior quarterback Jordan Nelson connected with receiver Noah Sharp on a perfect 44-yard touchdown pass.  West fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Elkmont converted on the next play when Nelson ran a quarterback keeper off-tackle to give the Red Devils a 14-7 lead. Everything seems to be going Elkmont’s way when Zeb Pankey recovered on onside kick for the host team. Daniel Valencia booted a field goal to extend the lead to 17-7.

In the next series, the Wildcats attempted to convert a fourth down deep in their own territory, but Hunter Coffman stopped it cold and Elkmont gained possession. Valencia added another field goal to extend the lead to 20-7.  Nick Freeman responded for West with a dazzling 38-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 20-14. West attempted an onside kick, but Pankey again was there to recover for the Red Devils.  

Nick Freeman responded for West with a dazzling 38-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 20-14. West attempted an onside kick, but Pankey again was there to recover for the Red Devils. Valencia would convert his third field goal opportunity and give Elkmont a 23-14 lead. Valencia would convert his third field goal opportunity and give Elkmont a 23-14 lead at halftime.

A 16-yard touchdown run by Blankenship trimmed the Elkmont lead to 23-21. Later in the third quarter West pulled ahead 27-23 on a Lancaster 1-yard dive.  Then the bottom dropped out of the Elkmont effort. They weren't able to score in the second half while the Wildcats tacked on 19 points. In the fourth quarter, Lancaster scored on another 1-yard plunge and finally Freeman scooted in from 10 yards out to finish the scoring at 42-23.

“We made some plays offensively and made some stops defensively. The first half was just about the best half of football we’ve played this season,” Elkmont head coach Sean Holt said.“I’m proud of our kids and how we played tonight,”

Stat Highlights:
Jordan Nelson - Threw 107 yards; 70 yards rushing
Zeb Pankey - 67 yard rushing



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