PRESEASON WITH DECATUR DAILY

The Decatur Daily has a preseason article about our Elkmont Red Devils today.  If you want a hard copy, check the boxes at Pig and the downtown gas station.  Article Link:  Elkmont Football Looking for Leaders

Highlights:
When there are only four seniors on your football team, leadership from each one is important.

Elkmont football coach Sean Holt is counting on senior running back Grant Murphy.

“He’s the kind of kid every coach loves to have on his team,” Holt said. “He’s quiet, but he works hard. He’s got a good attitude. He’s a tough, hard-nosed football player.”

Because the Red Devils don’t have the size on the offensive line they have had the last couple of years, Holt is switching from the run-oriented Wing-T to the spread formation. Patrick Jobman, a junior, takes over at quarterback. Murphy and junior Kamron Davis are the main running backs. Receivers include Hunter Pittman, Christian Green, Ben Hobbs and Davis Hobbs. Leading the way on the offensive line are Addison Cox and Braden Miller.

Names to watch on defense are Gabriel Gulley at end and Luke Glaunch at middle linebacker. Other linebackers are Clay Hunt, Peyton Lovell and Sean Jordan. Mark Pena is a leader in the defensive backfield.

“I wish we had more experience, but I like coaching and this is a good group to coach,” Holt said. “We have to work a lot on the fundamentals, but it is fun to see the players so eager to get better each day.”

DECATUR DAILY ALL - AREA TEAM

The Decatur Daily has released its 1A-4A football team for 2015.  Elkmont had four players that received honorable mention for their efforts last fall. 

Eli Hobbs, Defensive Back

Travis Riggs, Lineman

Noah Sharp, Receiver 

Jordan Nelson, Quarterback

Link to Decatur Daily All Area Team

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

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - ELKMONT VS HALEYVILLE

It's finally here, first round of playoffs.  All of Elkmont is excited about tonight's game. There is lots of info about the Haleyville vs Elkmont matchup.  Hopefully, you will find what you are looking for here. 

Schedule of events:
*pep rally @ 8:15 am (so much fun)

* walk thru (Spirit Walk) @ 1pm
for those of you who are wondering what this is:  The students line the halls and wish the players well on the way to the game bus

* parents and non students can be part of the Spirit Walk by lining up outside the elementary door in the gym parking lot (side facing football field)

Tickets:
Adult and Student tickets for tonight's game can be bought at the school office for $8.

Weather:

Kickoff: 
44 degrees; will drop to 41 by end of game. 

Hill Spirit has always been told that cool weather is football weather but brrr!! Expect a few clouds to hang around tonight with temperatures dropping quickly after sunset. Dress warm; don't forget gloves and bring an extra blanket. Might want to consider bringing a sleeping bag to step into when you find your game seat. 

Radio:
The Elkmont football playoff game vs Haleyville will be broadcast live on AM 1110 WSLV in Ardmore. You can hear the game on your Tunein App or online at http://streema.com/radios/WSLV

Thoughts from the newspapers:
Florence Times Daily:
The skinny: There might not be much defense in this game, as Haleyville is averaging 40.3 points per game and Elkmont is totaling 32.3 points. …The Lions dropped Lawrence County 40-21 last week, while Elkmont beat Clements 42-14. . ... Haleyville quarterback Conner Kiser boasted four touchdowns last week and will look to carry that momentum into the playoffs. ... Elkmont running back Jared Bailey, who rushed for 115 yards and one touchdown on eight carries, will be a focal point for the Haleyville defense. 

Decatur Daily:
In what should be a close first-round playoff game, Haleyville looks to have a small advantage being at home. Playing on the road has not worked against Elkmont. The Red Devils are 5-0 on the road.

Video Highlights:
Haleyville vs Lawrence County

BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS

Nothing can perk up a community like a winning football season. Elkmont is a perfect example. The Red Devils (8-2) are back in the playoffs. Life is good in Elkmont.  
 

“We’ve had a lot of fun this season. The community support has gotten bigger and bigger each week. “It’s great when people you don’t even know come up and tell you, Hey, your team is doing a good job.”  said Coach Holt.

Holt grew up in Elkmont. He knows how important Friday night at Boss Hill Stadium is to the community. After two losing seasons, this was a season of high expectations. There are 16 seniors on the team. That’s a lot of seniors even for schools in larger classifications.  “It’s been a struggle for the last couple of years,” Holt said. “We just needed to find a way to get over the hump.”

That opportunity came in the season opener, a 49-27 win over rival Ardmore. The Red Devils followed that with a 41-35 win over 4A power Brooks.

“It’s a big deal for a small school to get the season started in the right way,” Holt said. “When your kids are excited about football, it builds momentum. That can take you a long way.”

The only blemishes on the record were 34-0 to No. 4-ranked Deshler and 33-7 to No. 9 Wilson. “Even though those losses were lopsided, we learned some things that have made us a better football team,” Holt said.

  

Elkmont has found success on offense out of its Wing-T attack with Jordan Nelson at quarterback.  Four running backs split the carries. They are Mike Tucker, Zeb Pankey, Jared Bailey and Eli Hobbs. Having that many weapons has made it difficult to shut down the Elkmont offense. “Having 16 seniors has given us a lot of great play in the line on both offense and defense,” Holt said. “We’re averaging 250 yards rushing a game.”

The Elkmont defense has thrived on turnovers. The Red Devils have intercepted 14 passes. Bailey has six.

“We’ve faced several Wing-T offenses, and I’m sure Elkmont has faced several spread offenses,” Haleyville coach Bo Culver said. “Football teams don’t wake up with 8-2 records. Both teams have earned their way to the playoffs.”

In what should be a close first-round playoff game, Haleyville looks to have a small advantage being at home. Playing on the road has not worked against Elkmont. The Red Devils are 5-0 on the road.

“That’s just another example of an advantage to having so many seniors,” Holt said. “When we are on the road, we come ready to play.”

Source Link: Decatur Daily

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - EAST LAWRENCE

The Red Devils are traveling to East Lawrence this evening.  Just one more game left in the regular season schedule after tonight's match up with East Lawrence.  The Eagles have really struggled this year.  They have yet to win a game.  The Red Devils should shine tonight.  Go Big Red!!!

Kickoff at 7 pm
 Temperature: 57 degrees

It should be a cool evening with mainly clear skies. If you are going to the game, you may want to take a coat and some gloves,it will be in the mid 50s by 8 PM.

Elkmont at East Lawrence

Where: Eagle Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8 game

Records: Elkmont (6-2, 4-2), East Lawrence (0-8, 0-6)

Last meeting: 
Elkmont won 30-0 in 1981.

The skinny: It’s been a season to remember for Elkmont and a season to forget for East Lawrence. The Red Devils are headed to the playoffs as a third-place team. East Lawrence has scored just 26 points and been shut out five times. … Elkmont rolled up nearly 300 yards rushing in last Friday’s 27-10 win over Rogers. Mike Tucker had 120 of his 124 yards rushing in the first half.

The Daily picks: Elkmont 35, East Lawrence 6

To read about the other games in the area, click on Decatur Daily  

Elkmont is probably going to be #3 in Region 8.  That region matches up with Region 5.  Fayette County plays Cordova today for the region championship.  Elkmont would most likely take a trip to play the loser in the first round.

ELKMONT HAS PEOPLE NOTICING

The Decatur Daily has a column today about the Red Devils and their 2-0 start this season. Evidently people have noticed and are starting to use the "P" word again when Elkmont is talked about.  It's early but even thinking about going to the playoffs again is exciting. Be sure to grab a copy today at the gas station or Pig for the full article.  

Link to article: DECATUR DAILY

Highlights:
Year of the Red Devils.
With Tennessee Valley high school football, this might not be a stretch. Elkmont. Heading into Week 4 of the regular season, the local Red Devils are perfect.  It has been a few years since we could say that. Elkmont has won its first two games for the first time since 2011and have a legitimate shot at stretching the winning streak to three games.

On Friday, as Elkmont stunned Brooks, a perennial Class 4A playoff program, social media was buzzing, with fans from across the Tennessee Valley talking about one of the area's biggest upsets of the season.

Now the fans at Elkmont get to join the postseason discussion. The playoffs aren't a pipe dream, either.  Looking at the schedule, the Red Devils should remain in the postseason hunt through the end of region play. That means lots of big games are on the horizon.  And with those high-stakes games comes the good stuff that makes high school football fun. Stadium enthusiasm should be on the rise. Same goes for campus school spirit.

Outside of Elkmont, a few football fans are scratching their heads.  Elkmont coach Sean Holt has 16 seniors and eight juniors, and he's been high on this group since they were newcomers making their first varsity appearances a few years ago.  And even though Elkmont hasn't enjoyed a winning season since 2011, Holt never viewed his Red Devils as a struggling program. Elkmont was stuck in arguably the toughest Class 3A region in the state, with championship contenders Madison Academy, Deshler, Lauderdale County and Colbert County. The Red Devils usually finished fifth or sixth in that region, but Holt never felt like his team was far off the pace.

ELKMONT REVIVING PAST GLORY - DECATUR DAILY

There is an oak tree next to the Elkmont football field.  It overlooks the football practice field and has an end zone view of the happenings at Boss Hill Stadium on Friday nights. What the view is going to be like this season is always the talk of the town this time of year. Seniors Mike Tucker and Jared Bailey hope the tree has a view of a program that returns to the success the Red Devils experienced from 2007-'11.

 

During that five-year period, Elkmont had 33 wins, one region championship and four playoff appearances. Not bad for a school that before that run last visited the playoffs in 1999.  Don Jacobs was the head coach for the first three years of that success. He had the Red Devils in the playoffs all three years before leaving for Oneonta, a perennial power in 4A.  Tucker and Bailey were managers for the Red Devils during Jacobs' tenure. They remember the excitement in the town, at the school and on the field those seasons.

"The stadium would be packed and all anybody wanted to talk about was Red Devil football," Tucker said. "It was exciting." Bailey remembers how he and Tucker would look up in awe to the players and for what they did in bringing a jolt of excitement to the community. "I couldn't wait for my time to come," Bailey said. "Winning football games and making the playoffs was something we all wanted to be a part of."

David Wilson was the head coach the season after Jacobs left. The Red Devils slumped to 4-6.

Sean Holt took over the next season. The Elkmont native was the defensive coordinator under Jacobs. He got the Red Devils back to the playoffs in 2011 and they won a first-round game.

The Red Devils slumped to two wins in 2012 and three wins in 2013, but enthusiasm is high that better days are ahead in 2014. "We've got 16 seniors this season, and we are determined to make our senior season one to remember," Bailey said. "We've worked hard in the off season and this summer."  Numbers are a big part of football. Key numbers for any team are returning starters and seniors. "We have 35 players and that's a good number," Holt said, "but to have 16 seniors who have played a lot is really big. Actually, counting juniors, we have 24 players with experience returning.

"We've taken our lumps the last couple of years. I'm hoping that experience can pay off for us this season with some success."  Taking their lumps is a polite way of describing Class 3A, Region 8, where Elkmont played for the past two seasons. It was dominated by state champion Madison Academy. Colbert County, Lauderdale County and Deshler have been at worst just a step or two behind the Mustangs.  Nobody at Elkmont will use playing in 3A, Region 8 as an excuse for the last two seasons, but it's hard to find anybody complaining about moving up to 4A, Region 8. Brooks, Central Florence, East Lawrence, Rogers, West Limestone, Wilson and Deshler, which also moves up, will be tough competition for the Red Devils, but it won't be suffocating like the last two years.

Bailey and Tucker will be two key players for Elkmont this season. Bailey plays quarterback and running back. Tucker is a wingback. Bailey, Tucker and returning teammates Zeb Pankey and Eli Hobbs combined for over 2,000 rushing last season.

Elkmont played in a spring jamboree that saw the Red Devils lose to defending 2A state champion Tanner 14-10 in one half of play and beat Hubbard 14-0 in a second half.  "Yes, it was just a spring jamboree, but I think that experience gave us a lot of confidence," Holt said. "That may be what we needed more than anything. We've got the players. We just need players that are confident they can make the plays. We need playmakers."

  Contact David Elwell at 256-340-2395 or David.Elwell@DecaturDaily.com. Follow on Twitter @DD_DavidElwell.

Elkmont football at a glance

League: Class 4A, Region 8

Coach: Sean Holt; fourth season

Last season: Finished 3-7 and missed the 3A state playoffs

Past state titles: None

Past region titles: 1979, 1999, and 2008

Season opener: Aug. 29 at Ardmore

Elkmont schedule

Aug. 29 at Ardmore

Sept. 5 Brooks*

Sept. 12 Wilson*

Sept. 19 at West Limestone*

Sept. 26 New Hope

Oct. 3 at Central Florence*

Oct. 10 Deshler*

Oct. 17 Rogers*

Oct. 24 at East Lawrence*

Oct. 31 at Clements

SOURCE: DECATUR DAILY