By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
Tension was high and excitement was brimming in the 4th quarter of Stanhope Elmore’s annual rivalry game against the Wetumpka Indians. In addition to county bragging rights, the winner of the game was guaranteed a spot in the Class 6A Playoffs. The loser was going to miss the playoffs. Additionally, it was the senior night for the Indians, and it was the Mustangs first ever trip to Wetumpka’s brand new stadium featuring a turf field, LED Lights and a Jumbotron.
Trailing 7-2 in the 4th quarter with under 10 minutes remaining in the game, Wetumpka faced a 4th and 4 at the Stanhope Elmore 25-yard line. The Indians converted a 17-yard pass to move the ball to the Mustangs’ 8-yard line.
A penalty moved the ball backwards, but the Indians responded with a halfback pass to a wide open receiver in the end zone. In fact, two Indians players were wide open in the end zone, but neither was able to come down with the ball. It seemed like the Indians had missed their chance, but Wetumpka connected with a 20-yard touchdown pass on 3rd down to take their first lead of the game at 8-7 with under 7 minutes remaining in the game.
The Mustangs fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Wetumpka took over 19-yards away from the end zone. On Wetumpka’s very first play following the turnover, the Indians fumbled the ball back to the Mustangs. Stanhope Elmore’s offense was unable to pick up a first down and gave the ball back to Wetumpka with less than six minutes remaining.
Wetumpka took over looking to drain the clock, and faced a 4th and 1 at the Mustangs 22-yard line. They were able to pick up a first down and run some more time off the clock, but the Mustangs were able to eventually get the ball back with 0:59 seconds remaining.
Stanhope Elmore quarterback Jacob Bryant threw for three first downs and moved the ball into Wetumpka territory with just 19 seconds left, but they were unable to get it any closer, as Wetumpka picked off Bryant for the second time of the night to close out the game with an 8-7 win and clinch the Indians spot in the postseason.
The loss is especially tough for the Mustangs considering how well their defense performed in the first half. The Indians failed to pick up a first down the first two quarters. In the first half, the Indians ran 16 plays and the Mustang defense held them to only 10 yards.
The Mustangs’ offense also took a while to get going, but they got on board late in the 2nd quarter with a 22-yard touchdown rush for running back Antonio Trone after being set up by a 23-yard completion from Bryant to receiver Jackson Thomas. Unfortunately, it was the only points the Mustangs would get for the night.
The Indians first 1st down came after a pass Interference penalty against the Mustangs with 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. After going 2.5 quarters without picking up a 1st down, the Indians found some momentum and picked up another on the very next play with a 21-yard run.
However, it looked like the Mustangs had staved off the Indians again when they picked off a Wetumpka pass in the end zone. Instead of kneeling the ball in the end zone and starting at the 20-yard line, the Mustangs defender tried to bring the ball out, and got tackled at the 3-yard line. A Mustangs’ penalty moved the ball back to the 1-yard line, and on the next play, Trone was tackled at the goal line for the safety.
The two point defensive play would prove to be the difference in the game.The Mustangs still led 7-2 heading into the dramatic 4th quarter in which Wetumpka finally found the end zone with six minutes left.
For the game, Trone rushed 21 times for 93 yards and 1 touchdown. Bryant passed 9-19 for 76 yards and 2 interceptions.
The Mustangs have lost three games in a row, all Class 6A Region 3 games, and will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Stanhope Elmore will finish their season next week in a road game at Smiths Station. Wetumpka will finish as the #4 seed in Class 6A Region 3 and will travel for the 1st round of the Class 6A playoffs which begin in two weeks. SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW.
