LET THE GAMES BEGIN - APPLEBEE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

The community of Elkmont had a great time with this contest last year.  Almost all of our candidates won the weekly Applebee Athlete of the Week.  This contest been renewed for another school year so get those electronic voting machines warmed up.  Cast your vote below for the Applebee's Neighborhood Athlete of the Week! The winner will be announced on Saturday's Tailgate Talk and picks up a gift card from Applebee's! 
Last day to vote is August 19.

Link for voting: Braden Miller

RED DEVILS ON THE ALL COUNTY TEAM

The Athens News Courier released its All County team this week.  Two of our Elkmont players were recognized for their play in the 2015 season.

OFFENSE

Lineman: Travis Riggs, Elkmont 

Riggs served as offensive tackle and center for the Red Devils. The versatile lineman switched positions depending on the opponents' top defensive lineman.

 

DEFENSE

Cornerback: Eli Hobbs, Elkmont 

Hobbs had a solid senior season at safety for the Red Devils with 110 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss and five sacks. He averaged 41 yards per punt as the starting punter.



Links for complete Athens News Courier articles.

2015 All County Offense
*published Jan 14

2015 All County Defense
*published Jan 13

You can pick up hard copies of the newspapers at their office in Athens until next Tuesday.

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

WHERE IS JOSHUA CARTER PLAYING?

Joshua Carter signed with Jamestown College in North Dakota this spring.  

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 240

Position: TE

Hometown: Elkmont, AL

To follow the Jamestown Jimmies, click on Link

WHAT IS JARED BAILEY UP TO NOW?

 


Jared Bailey, Elkmont Class of 2015, made the travel team for the University of Cumberlands Patriots.  There are 171 players on the team, 71 are freshman. He was one of 23 Freshman who made the travel team. His coaches said he did great in his first game.

 The Patriots won their opening game against Campbellsville in an upset, 27-24.  They will be playing Carson-Newman next Thursday. 

FOOTBALL COVERAGE

@ Carson-Newman College

7:00 PM, EST

Jefferson City, TN

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

JARED BAILEY IS A PATRIOT

Photo by Robby Newport, Down Home Portraits

The Elkmont Red Devils had a great season last fall, with a 8-3 record and a playoff appearance.  At this time, three of the Red Devils have been offered opportunities to play at the next level.  Two of them have signed, Joshua Carter who will be playing at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota and Jared Bailey at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The third Red Devil is still in the decision process.

Bailey inked his letter of intent during the flurry of national signing day with the UC Patriots. The Patriots are an NAIA school and are aligned with the Mid-South Conference.
 

The 4A first team all state, two way starter, was one the reasons for Elkmont's outstanding season. On defense, he accounted for 66 tackles and six interceptions. He also returned kicks and accounted for more than 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns, including 683 rushing yards. 

“The leadership and the role he played on both sides of the ball will be missed,” said Elkmont head coach Sean Holt. “The whole senior class was good at that, but especially him. The impact he had on both sides of the ball is going to be hard to replace.”

Jared visited the University of the Cumberlands located in Williamsburg, Kentucky last month. 

He was so impressed with the coaches and their enthusiasm for the program!  Not only were the coaches interested in Jared as a player, but wanted to help him develop as a quality student and young man. The athletic facilities, especially the new weight room, at the University were impressive. The beautiful campus and surrounding area are nestled in the foothills of the eastern Kentucky mountains with friendly people who made Jared feel at home.  All of these things helped him to decide that he wanted to be a UC Patriot.

Bailey hopes to be utilized on the defensive side of the ball, but when he was asked where he would like to play, he told the coaches he would like to play wherever they felt was the best place for him. Jared hopes to become an integral part of this wonderful program and earn a degree from this highly respected university.  He and his family are excited about what the future holds for him. They are looking forward to next fall!  Go Patriots!

The University of the Cumberlands is a private, liberal arts college located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with an enrollment of approximately 4,200 students. The school, known as Cumberland College until January 7, 2005, is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention, the Kentucky affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention.

JOSHUA CARTER SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT

There to share in Josh's decision were (sitting) his parents, Michael & Melissa Carter, his principal, Garth Garris and his head football coach, Sean Holt.

For most high school football recruits, National signing day begins today, but Elkmont senior Joshua Carter signed his four year academic/football scholarship letter to play for the University of Jamestown on January 29.

The versatile senior played both ways for the Red Devils for the past two seasons at defensive end and tight end. As a senior, Carter registered 43 tackles, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, including one recovery he returned 80 yards for a touchdown.

Carter was instrumental on special teams, blocking a punt and an extra point during his senior season.  Playing tight end in a run dominated Wing-T offense, Carter had four catches for 72 yards.  Carter helped Elkmont to an 8-3 season and first playoff appearance in three years.

“We visited there last weekend and really like it,” said Michael Carter, Joshua’s father. “They’ve got a guy that just graduated at defensive end they want Joshua to replace. It’s a good fit for him.”


One of the things that drew Joshua to the University of Jamestown football program was how the players and coaches made him feel welcome and that he was already part of the team. He liked the winning history of the program and can't wait to be part of the Jimmie football program.

While at Jamestown he wants to obtain his degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in History, complete an internship with Jamestown Fire and Rescue and further develop his leadership skills.  Congratulations and best wishes for a great career as a Jimmie.

As you can see in the his picture, snow is very common.  The continuous winds of the plains and bone chilling temperatures is something that has to be experienced to be understood.  When asked about the difference in climate, Joshua had this to say about his upcoming adventure in the tundra of North Dakota. "As far as the weather, I am such a hot-natured person. I'm sure it will take some getting used to but I really think I'm looking forward to it."  

A peek at Joshua's upcoming winters. Brrrr!!!!

The University of Jamestown is a private liberal arts college  founded by the Presbyterian Church located in Jamestown, North Dakota.  It has an enrollment of about 1,000 students.  Until August 2013, the school was known as Jamestown College.The city of Jamestown has a population of nearly 15,000. It is 100 miles from North Dakota's capital city, Bismarck, and 100 miles to the east is North Dakota's largest city, Fargo.

 

The University of Jamestown Football Team is proud to announce the one of the newest additions to the Class of 2015! Joshua Carter is 6' 2" 220 lb. DE/TE from Elkmont, AL!

The University of Jamestown is a member of NAIA and the NSAA (NorthStar Athletic Association).

2014 ALL COUNTY TEAM

The Athens News Courier have released the All County teams. Elkmont is well represented with five players on each team.  The offensive team is in December 25 issue and the defensive team, December 26.  If want a hard copy of the articles, you can get one at the Athens newspaper office.

OFFENSE:
Running back: Mike Tucker, Elkmont Tucker split carries with no less than four other backs, but still managed to accumulate 823 yards and eight touchdowns on 101 carries. Elkmont had four backs with at least 450 yards rushing.

Offensive lineman: Eli Vining, Elkmont In the wing-t offense, he was an offensive tackle and a very essential part of a rushing attack that accounted for 2,890 yards of rushing offense and 749 yards through the air.

Honorable Mention:

Eli Hobbs


Travis Riggs

 
Alexis Hernandez

DEFENSE:

Defensive line: Kody Clark, Elkmont
Clark, who was one of the team’s top offensive lineman, had 46 and a half tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries, and a blocked PAT.

 
Linebacker: Jared Bailey, Elkmont 
Bailey was selected to 4A first-team all-state as an athlete after a team-best six interceptions including one for a touchdown to go along with 66 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. On offense, Bailey led the team in receptions and rushing touchdowns.

Honorable Mention:

Jared Smallwood

Drew Thompson

Zeb Pankey

  
Photos provided by Down Home Portraits

DECATUR DAILY ALL AREA FOOTBALL TEAM

The Decatur Daily has released its 

1A - 4A All Area Team.  It was in today's paper so you can still buy a hard copy for the complete article or to put in your scrapbook.  Congrads to all the Elkmont players whose hard work and success were recognized this year.

 

OFFENSE

OL: Kody Clark, Elkmont, Sr.: As a guard in Elkmont’s Wing-T offense, Clark helped pave the way for 2,890 rushing yards. 


OL: Eli Vining, Elkmont, Sr.: The 6-foot and 285-pound tackles helped pave the way for 2,890 rushing yards.



K: Alexis Hernandez, Elkmont, Sr.: The senior was almost perfect on extra points, making 45 of 46 attempts. He also kicked three field goals from 35 yards or longer, and kicked 30 touchbacks.

DEFENSE

DL: Drew Thompson, Elkmont, Sr.: The 6-foot-1 and 300-pound senior was a run-stopper in the middle of Elkmont’s defensive front, accounting for 46.5 tackles and four sacks.



ATH: Jared Bailey, Elkmont, Sr.: The two-way starter rarely left the field. On defense, he accounted for 66 tackles and six interceptions. He also returned kicks and accounted for more than 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns, including 683 rushing yards.
 
Honorable mention
Mike Tucker

Special Thanks to Down Home Portraits for the photos.  You can find the 2014 season in pictures under Photos, subsection Albums

JARED BAILEY - 4A FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE

Some football players have knowledge you just can’t coach while others are born with athletic talent before they ever lift a weight. Elkmont’s Jared Bailey exhibits both those qualities and is recognized as one of the top athletes in the state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.  Bailey was named to the Class 4A first team all-state team as an athlete and to the second team as a safety.

“He’s a good athlete, but he also has good football-sense,” said Holt. “He has a lot of that. He’s always worked hard and paid attention, particularly on defense. He had to replace a couple of really good linebackers, Daniel Logan and Cody Martin. He learned along the way and did the best he could.”

“You name it, he did it,” said Holt. “A lot of times, he needed a break, but we needed him too badly on the field. On special teams, you can’t afford to take plays off and he was always out there.”
Bailey was the heartbeat of a team that went 8-3 and finished third in 4A Region 8. The fourth-year starter had 66 tackles, a sack, fumble recovery and six interceptions in Elkmont’s first season competing in 4A.

Bailey started for the Red Devils since ninth grade, playing on defense for the varsity team as far back as eighth grade. For the past two years, Bailey has anchored the defense at middle linebacker.

The 5-10, 195-pound senior lined up at fullback most of the time in Elkmont’s Wing-T offense. Set directly behind the quarterback, Bailey was often the back that carried out misdirection on running plays.

Splitting carries with Mike Tucker, Zeb Pankey and Eli Hobbs, Bailey ran for 683 yards on 101 carries with 11 touchdowns. Bailey also threw three passes on trick plays with two of them going for touchdowns and led the team with 14 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown.
Bailey is the first Elkmont player to receive first team all-state honors since the 2009 Athlete, David Solomon.

LINK TO COMPLETE ARTICLE: ATHENS NEWS COURIER
*you can buy a hard copy, Dec 20 issue, of this article until next Saturday at the newspaper office in Athens