After three seasons of sitting at home during the postseason, Stanhope Elmore’s football team is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Under second-year head coach Hunter Adams, Stanhope Elmore will have plenty of chances to break through with a preferable schedule.
The 10 teams on Stanhope Elmore’s schedule combine for a 38-68 record with eight of the 10 teams having losing records last season. Only two teams made the playoffs, and just one of those advanced past the first round.
Six of those 10 teams had three wins or less with four teams having two wins or less.
TRENDS
Stanhope Elmore will go seven weeks into the season without playing a team with a winning record from last season. The Mustangs open the season with back-to-back games at home against Marbury and Prattville, which combined for a 5-16 record last season.
Stanhope Elmore is 11-33 all-time versus Prattville and has not beaten the Lions since 2016, which was a forfeit victory for SEHS after Prattville used an ineligible player.
Following the two home games to open the season, Stanhope Elmore will then hit the road for a month. The Mustangs play at Percy Julian, at Park Crossing and at Smiths Station in September. They will not play a home game in September. Park Crossing and Percy Julian are region games.
The two teams that had winning records last year – Pike Road and Rehobeth – come in back-to-back weeks in the middle of October. Stanhope has gone 1-1 against Pike Road the last two seasons while the Mustangs have never played Rehobeth.
To end the season, Stanhope will travel to Calera which went 0-10 last season. Stanhope Elmore is 3-1 against Calera in four matchups from 2018-2021.
GAMES TO WATCH
Stanhope Elmore vs. Percy Julian, Sept. 6
Stanhope Elmore will have two games under its belt when it travels to Percy Julian to start region play, but this will be the true test for Adams’ squad. This will be the region opener for both teams and will set the tone for the rest of the season. Percy Julian went 5-5 in Class 7A last year but is coming down to replace Sidney Lanier and Carver. The two teams have not faced each other since 2011, and Stanhope Elmore went 5-1 from 2006-2011 against the now Phoenix.
Stanhope Elmore vs. Russell County, Oct. 4
When these two teams take the field midway through the season, Stanhope Elmore will have a lot of history on its side. The Mustangs are a perfect 16-0 against Russell County, but that streak nearly came to an end last year. In last year’s matchup, Arthur McQueen started his breakout season with 150 yards and three touchdowns while Russell County tried to play spoiler late. Russell County scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to three points, but an interception in the end zone in the final minute secured the win for Stanhope Elmore.
Russell County quarterback Bryson Riggins will be looking for revenge.
Stanhope Elmore vs. Wetumpka, Oct. 25
The two rivals play their annual game in Week 9 this season. It was requested by both coaches to play it as the final region game, and it will certainly mean a lot to both schools. In the last three seasons, this game has decided which team makes the playoffs and which team is at home come November. Wetumpka has won all three of those matchups, but they were decided by a combined 20 points.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
Justin Godwin, Wetumpka defensive back
Godwin transferred into Wetumpka after a stellar junior season at Chilton County last year. The 6-foot defensive back secured five interceptions as he was named to the Class 6A All-State team. To go with his interceptions, he also recorded 86 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He had double-digit tackles in five games last year.
Ja’Michael Jones, Pike Road running back
Much like he did every region team, Jones was one of the main reasons for Pike Road’s win over Stanhope Elmore. The four-star running back scored three times and rushed for 122 yards on 17 carries last season. He has offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan and Texas and rushed for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns last year.
Vodney Cleveland, Prattville defensive lineman
Nearly every team in Class 6A and 7A has at least one Division I defensive player, and Stanhope will get its first taste of one in Week 2 next year. Prattville’s star rising junior stands at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds and is currently rated as a four-star prospect. He has picked up many offers this summer including Florida State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arkansas and Alabama.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 – Marbury at Stanhope Elmore
Aug. 30 – Prattville at Stanhope Elmore
Sept. 6 – Stanhope Elmore at Percy Julian*
Sept. 13 – Stanhope Elmore at Park Crossing*
Sept. 20 – BYE
Sept. 27 – Stanhope Elmore at Smiths Station
Oct. 4 – Russell County at Stanhope Elmore*
Oct. 11 – Pike Road at Stanhope Elmore*
Oct. 18 – Stanhope Elmore at Rehobeth*
Oct. 25 – Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore*
Nov. 1 – Stanhope Elmore at Calera
* denotes region competition
