There’s not a defensive player in AHSAA Class 6A, Region 2 who doesn’t know what Arthur McQueen can do with the football.
The Stanhope Elmore running back returns to lead the Mustangs for his senior year in 2024. The All-County back ran through, around and past defenders all year last season as he racked up 1,432 rushing yards, 273 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in just seven games.
He was the focal point for Stanhope’s offense in every game he played, and that isn’t changing when Stanhope Elmore takes the field against Marbury on Aug. 23.
“Having him come back gives us an identity right out of the gate, and that’s just massive to have early in the season,” Stanhope coach Hunter Adams said. “We have someone we can lean on and everything else is putting the right pieces around him to compliment him.”
McQueen didn’t jump into the starting role last season until Week 2. But as soon as he touched the end zone for the first time, it was evident he would be a Division I football player.
Going into his senior year, he’s now being recruited by multiple programs such as West Georgia, Georgia State, Kennesaw State, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Louisiana Monroe, Alabama State, North Alabama and Middle Tennessee.
McQueen knows what he brings to the football field. To him, it’s quite simple.
“It’s my mentality,” McQueen said. “I have that dog in me. A lot of people don’t have that, but I do. I’m a dog on the field.”
McQueen was the definition of consistency last year. He never once had a game where he rushed for under 100 yards, and he reached close to 200 yards rushing in every game. He got better as the season went on, scoring multiple touchdowns in almost every game late in the year.
He followed up the season with a spring football game in May where he rushed 16 times for 213 yards and five touchdowns. This year, he wants to surpass that.
“I really want to become two times better than I was last year,” McQueen said. “I want to do a lot and do what I can to help the team.”
McQueen can’t do it all himself, however, and depends on his offensive line to open up holes for him to run through. This season, Stanhope returns four of its five starting offensive linemen from last year.
Tyler Barrett, Xavier Foxhall, Cameron Hodge and Macin James all return as starters, while Raul Mondragon looks to be the only new starter at right tackle. Stanhope’s offensive line also features some size.
Foxhall is the smallest at 260 pounds, while both Hodge and James are more than 300 pounds.
“Our offensive line has looked good this summer,” McQueen said. “I think this is the best offensive line we’ve had in a long time. I’m excited about them in front of me this year.”
Joining McQueen in the backfield is quarterback Zach Holcombe, who played defensive back last year. Holcombe enters his first year as a quarterback, and hopes to bring an ability to run the football as well as pass it.
The more success he has running the ball, McQueen will also see more success.
“He’s been smooth,” McQueen said of Holcombe. “He’s new but he’s improving every day. He’s going to help our offense a lot. All the eyes aren’t on me. If he can break off a big run, it helps me get to break off a big run the next play.”
