ARDMORE WINS TWO

It was deja vu for the Elkmont Middle School Red Devils when, for the second week in a row, linebacker Luke Claunch stripped the running back of the ball and returned it for a touchdown. Claunch added another touchdown on the offensive side, bulldozing eighty yards down the field into the end zone. 


Those were the only two scores for the Red Devils who fell to rival Ardmore by a final score of 32-12. Drake Black had some long runs and the Red Devils are doing a better job of moving the chains. Elkmont's defense improved throughout the game, holding the Tigers scoreless in the second half. 

The Middle School Red Devils play again on September 14 at 5:30 pm at East Limestone.

The Ardmore JV shut the door of Elkmont's JV.  The Red Devils had a rough night and were held scoreless. Their next game will be after the Middle School game at East.
 

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE WILSON WARRIORS?

WILSON WARRIORS: The Warriors have emerged as a legitimate contender in Class 4A, Region 8. The recent success reached a crescendo in 2014 as Wilson posted a 9-2 record and earned a trip to the playoffs.   

 

OFFENSE:

Graduation took a toll. Gone are the three all-state honorable mention selections. Brown saying the offense will have to grind out scoring drives instead of big plays. “There won’t be as many two- and three-play drives,” he said. “We’re still going to do what we do, but it might take us 15 plays (to score). It will be a slower type game — more methodical downhill running.”

Kyler Stults and Tucker Brown are the leaders to take over at quarterback. Stults, a senior, has been starting since the eighth grade in some capacity and will be in the lineup somewhere if Brown wins the job.  Carries will be divided among several players. Senior Broc Delia, who also has been starting since the 8th grade, returns at fullback. Larry Decatur, Bryce Black and Gator Hanohano will also see plenty of action.  Jordan Depoyster is looked to be the playmaker at wide receiver.

The offensive line will feature Dakota McCravey, who is starting for the third year, and Connor Hall, who is starting for the second year. Harley Blevins, Aaron Sheffield and Austin Carter are in the mix to fill out the rest of the line.

DEFENSE:

Delia and Stults comprise a portion of what should be a good linebacking situation. Hanohano, Chance Young, Sam Hopson, Skyler Edwards, Javen Clanton and Nick Phillips also are vying for time.  Lex Morgan, a junior defensive lineman, is already attracting attention from Division I schools. Colton Thorn and Tyler Barnett, who has one of the team’s top motors according to Brown, add quality to the defensive line.  The secondary will be mostly new, with Black, Jay Decatur and Avery Moates having standing out in fall practice.

Extra Points

Wilson might lack the big-play potential that Futrell added, but Brown likes the talent level and mindset of the Warriors.

Brown expects the Class 4A, Region 8 race to be hard fought for the four playoff berths. Deshler, always the favorite, lost 19 starters from last year’s state runner-up team.

SOURCE: FLORENCE TIMES DAILY

Date	Away		Home
08/21/15	Collinwood	0	Wilson	35
08/28/15	Lauderdale Co	7	Wilson	0
09/04/15	Wilson	27	Rogers	17
09/11/15	Elkmont	0	Wilson	0
09/18/15	Wilson	0	Brooks	0
10/02/15	Deshler	0	Wilson	0
10/09/15	Wilson	0	Central-Florence	0
10/16/15	East Lawrence	0	Wilson	0
10/23/15	Wilson	0	West Limestone	0
10/30/15	Hatton	0	Wilson	0

MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTION - ELKMONT VS S. LINCOLN

Luke Claunch stripped the ball from the South Lincoln running back and took it back 80 yards for a touchdown.  It was so impressive that it could have made an ESPN highlight video. 

Unfortunately, that was the only time the Middle School Red Devils made it into the end zone, losing 28-6 to the South Lincoln Eagles. 

Drake Black had an exciting run also, scampering 28 yards in the first half. The Red Devils play their next game at Ardmore, today at 5:30 pm. 

DOWN HOME PORTRAITS GAME PHOTOS LINK

ANOTHER CHANCE TO VOTE ELKMONT

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 and Elkmont won the first contest of the year.  We have another opportunity this week to vote.  It will be our chance to go 2 for 2. 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 September 11.

Link for voting: Leah Siebert

ELKMONT FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTS

Elkmont wasn't able to overcome the more experienced and older Brooks Lions team last night.  The Red Devils are in a rebuilding year and the roster reflects that as more than half are underclassmen.  They are learning and gaining valuable game experience with each snap but the process of rebuilding is never as fun.   Hopefully, our team will have recovered from the various injuries from the Ardmore and Brooks games as they line up next Friday at Wilson High School.

Link to Articles across the area:
Decatur Daily  
*Brooks 28, Elkmont 13: Brooks (2-0, 1-0) defeated Elkmont (0-2) in each team’s first region matchup of the year.

Florence Times Daily 
*It was not pretty, but a win is a win. In a game much closer than the score would suggest, Brooks (2-0, 1-0) defeated Elkmont (0-2, 0-1) 28-13. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL ON THE FIELD TONIGHT

The middle school football team will be hosting South Lincoln today @ 6 pm.

The Elkmont Football Blog is looking for reporters for the youth league, middle school, JV and varsity games.  Only teams that have someone to write about their games will be covered.  The Elkmont Football blog is a community project. It needs you to become a part of it.  

If you would be interested, send your post or pictures to the Hill Spirit at  elkmont1@charter.net or message on facebook.  Everyone has their own style.  To give you an idea of what has been done in the past, visit the older posts.  Look for the search box that helps you find posts.  Look under Dare Devil, Dust Devil or Taz. The more information the better but a score, who were playing and a picture or two will work.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BROOKS LIONS?

The Elkmont Red Devils are traveling this week.  The Brooks Lions are on the schedule this Friday.  So the question is, what will Elkmont be facing?

Brooks finished 5-5 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999. The Lions lost a few assistant coaches throughout the summer, but brought in four assistants earlier this month, including AHSAA Hall of Fame coach Jackie Ferguson, who boasts three state championships. Black also touts former head coaches Jeff Peek and Barry Daniel on staff.  The Lions opened their 2015 season at Sheffield and sent the Bulldogs back to the doghouse, winning 56-20.

Offense
Senior Tyce Thomas will be starting at quarterback for the third year in a row. Thomas is a threat both running and passing.“Tyce has really matured, both physically and mentally,” Black said. “He is a really good athlete as well as an excellent leader for us. This could be a big year for him.

The Lions have another weapon in junior Kolton Medley, who will be starting for the third year. Medley will be used at running back, receiver and possibly even quarterback. Joe Gurley and Lazarius Decatur give Brooks two big-play threats at wide receiver. Marcus Haataja and Deondre Hampton take over at running back. The offensive line is led by senior center Eli Parker. Junior tackle Sawyer Hanback and sophomore guard Kameron Stutts are returning starters.
“Our guys know they have something to prove because we struggled offensively at times last year,” Black said. “They are ready to do things now which they just were not physically and mentally ready to do because we were so young the past two years.”

Defense
Eight starters return, including four linebackers. Senior Jake Whitehead is a two-year starter at inside linebacker. Sophomore Seth Yerby also started last year and he will be joined by junior Collin Anderson, who returns to Brooks after one year at Fairhope. Andrew and Matthew Rainey return at outside linebacker. “This may be the best group of linebackers we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Black said. “These guys have played a lot the past two years. Everyone is back and we’ve been able to build some good depth.”

The secondary should also be a strength with Medley, an all-area candidate at safety. Gurley, Brandon Atkinson and Decatur all have experience at cornerback and safety. The defensive line has experience with juniors Trent Tidwell and Payne Correll, along with senior Nick Spanides returning.

New Coach
Brad Black, an 11-year veteran assistant coach, will pace the sidelines as a head coach for the first time this season. Junior linebacker Colin Anderson said there really isn’t a difference in coaching styles between Black and Hill, although he noted that Black is a bit more vocal.“They’re both pretty much the same,”
 
Extra Points

In addition to starting at wide receiver and cornerback, Gurley is also one of the area’s top kickers. … Brooks finished 5-5 in 2014 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999. “Not making the playoffs last year really hurt, and our kids know that it is unacceptable here,” Black said. “That has been a huge motivator for us during the offseason.” … Black said the key for the Lions is how the players mesh as a team. “The best teams we have had here have been the ones that are the closest,” he said. “They have to play together and play for each other. If these guys can become a true team then the sky is the limit for them.”

 
Roster:

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Elkmont is traveling to E.D. Redding Stadium to play the Brooks Lions this Friday.  The Lions roared through their season opener beating Sheffield, 56-20.  The Red Devils weren't able to pull off a win in their season opener vs the Ardmore Tigers.  With players nursing injuries, this game will be even tougher to win.  Kick off: 7 pm

Decatur Daily Prediction

Where: E.D. Redding Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8 game

Records: Elkmont (0-1); Brooks (1-0)

Last season: Elkmont won 41-35

The skinny: Brooks junior Deondre Hampton ran past Sheffield to the tune of 239 yards and six touchdowns, while quarterback Tyce Thomas rattled off 214 passing yards to beat Sheffield 56-20 last week. … Elkmont running back Eli Hobbs ran for a touchdown and quarterback Jordan Nelson tacked on a score in last week’s 33-20 loss to Ardmore.

The Daily picks: Brooks 42, Elkmont 28

source: Decatur Daily

GAME INFORMATION

• Weather - humid, low 30s, slight chance of rain at kickoff

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

TANNER ROLLS ELKMONT JV

Rough night for the JV Red Devils as they opened their season against the Tanner Rattlers.  Tanner won 30-0. 

Elkmont JV Reporter

TANNER RATTLES MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tanner is always a tough team to beat.  This year they shut out our Middle School Red Devils in the season opener at Elkmont, 26-0.  The Red Devils have a few days to recoup before they take on South Lincoln later this week.

Middle School Football Reporter

ARDMORE RUNS PAST ELKMONT IN SEASON OPENER

The Ardmore Tigers' running game was too much for Elkmont in front of a capacity crowd at Boss Hill Stadium Friday.  The Tigers' ground attack came up with four touchdowns and 140 yards rushing for the win.


Elkmont opened the scoring late in the first quarter after a botched Ardmore fake punt. The Red Devils took advantage of the short field and used only three plays to score. Zeb Pankey capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run, and Daniel Valencia made the PAT, giving the home team a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers evened the score at 7-7 when Potter ran for his first score after an 11-play drive, including a successful fourth-down conversion. Austin Pugh rushed the ball seven times for 33 yards on the drive.

An Elkmont fumble allowed the Tigers to quickly strike again, with Potter scoring on a 7-yard run just moments after his first touchdown. Ardmore scored again at the end of the first half to extend the lead, 19-7. 

The Red Devils recouped and made some changes during halftime.  They returned the second-half kickoff 40 yards to set up a drive capped off by Eli Hobbs' 32-yard rushing touchdown, bringing Elkmont to within six points, extra point no good.

Ardmore responded with a 13-play drive, with Potter scoring his third touchdown from four yards out to increase the lead to 26-13.  
 

The Elkmont faithful were looking for a last second win when quarterback Jordan Nelson found Hunter Pitman with a 12 yard pass in the back of the end zone topped off with a good PAT for the touchdown scoring late in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 26-20. Nursing a six point lead with minutes to go, Ardmore stepped up with 1:20 remaining in the game. On a three yard, fourth down, the Tigers used a 44-yard touchdown to seal the game at 33-20.  

Ardmore has a massive front line and their game plan was to run, run, run.  Elkmont's younger and lighter defensive line wasn't able to hold. “We come to run the ball every game we play,” Ardmore Coach Clint Legg said. “Elkmont had trouble stopping our run game tonight. And our (freshman) quarterback Noah Barnett played a real efficient game for us.” 

Team Stats:
Elkmont: 304 yards of offense
12 First Downs,  9 Penalties for 80 yds

Ardmore: 
329 yds on 45 carries, 23 yds passing, and 5 TD, 7 Penalities for 60 yds

Offense:
Quarterback Jordan Nelson had 9 completions/14 attempts for 93 yds, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions

Rushing:
*Eli Hobbs        10 carries for 77 yds, 1 TD
*Zeb Pankey      5 carries for 47 yds, 1 TD
*Aron Moss had 7 carries for 34 yds 
*Conor Norman  3 carries for 29 yds 
*Jordan Nelson   2 carries for 24yds 

Receiving:

*Hunter Pitman 2 catches for 28 yds, 1 TD 
*Conor Norman 3 catches for 26 yds 
*Eli Hobbs           3 catches for 24 yds 

Defense:
Leading tackler: Eli Hobbs finished the night with 10 tackles and 2 sacks

Elkmont travels next week for a region game against the Brooks Lions.  

Fans in the Stands:
Devils played harder late. Wish that passing game had been there early. They didn't quit. Despite the injuries, horrific officiating, and less than classy actions of some, it was a great first game for Elkmont.  Love my school and it was represented well tonight. It was great to be back in the stands screaming my head off.
 
This morning and every morning it's GREAT to be an ELKMONT DEVIL!!! The outcome was not what we wanted, but our team played their hearts out and played with class!!! So proud of them, the cheerleaders and the band!!! Pride runs deep in our community and I'm blessed to call Elkmont my home! Fight on another day guys and know you're loved by many!!! GO BIG RED!!!! 

Big thanks to our Limestone County Sheriff's Dept. for a great job in providing security for our players, fans and officials last night at Elkmont High School. Little extra thanks for Donnie Joe Johns who showed up early to reserve parking for officials and special needs parking. Thanks guys !!

 

By Sarah Marlow

sources: Decatur Daily, Athens News Courier, Elkmont Football 
game photos: Down Home Portraits - be sure to order some prints