On Friday night at Sheffield, Elkmont missed a chance to put themselves in good position for the playoffs. Now, most likely, the Red Devils will need to win three in a row to make the playoffs.GAME SUMMARY:
Elkmont started the game with an onside kick that seemed to work perfectly and should have been Elkmont's ball. Jose Hernandez's 15 yard short kick went over the heads of the front special team players and Cole Glass came up with the ball near the sideline. The officials appeared confused, discussed the matter and awarded the ball to Sheffield. The Bulldogs had a nice drive going, but Cole Glass intercepted a pass and Elkmont's offense took over. The Red Devils moved the ball well in the first quarter but could not put points on the board. The quarter ended with the score 0-0.
In the second quarter, Elkmont continued to move the ball but could not finish any of its drives down the field. Sheffield scored a touchdown on a long run by their quarterback to make the score, 7 - 0. Toward the end of the half, Elkmont was driving again, but a trick play pass back to the quarterback was intercepted and run back for another Bulldog touchdown with a few seconds left in the half. The half ended with Sheffield up 14 - 0.
The Bulldog defense slowed Elkmont down in the third quarter and the Red Devils could not get an effective drive going. Sheffield added a touchdown on a short touchdown run. The third quarter ended 21 - 0.
In the fourth quarter, Sheffield intercepted an Elkmont pass and returned it inside the Red Devil 10 yard line. Two plays later, they scored on a short touchdown run. Elkmont added a late score on a three yard Hugo Hernandez run to make the final score 28-7.
OBSERVATIONS:
The Dust Devil believes that the key to the game was in the first half when Elkmont had the ball four times inside the Sheffield 40 yard line and came up with 0 points. The Red Devils moved the ball well at times but could not finish drives or convert important third and fourth down plays. The defense played well. Cody Martin, Daniel Logan and Sloan Hawkins together had a bunch of stops and big plays on defense. Special teams gave a solid performance. Elkmont has three turnovers to one for Sheffield. Turnovers have been a problem in each loss.
This was a bad loss, in a game the Dust Devil thinks the Red Devils should have won. Going forward, Elkmont must gain more yards consistently on offense and finish drives with points. It is not too late to improve and make a playoff run but another loss in the region and most likely the last game for these Red Devils seniors will be at Fort Payne.
PREDICTION:
Elkmont will recover, play better and beat Danville 35 -7 next week.
