ELKMONT — The Red Devils celebrated their homecoming at Boss Hill Stadium in thrilling fashion on Friday night, shutting out Clements 16-0.
“Anytime you win on homecoming it’s an awesome feeling, especially against a county rival like Clements,” Elkmont head coach Joel Schrenk said. “There was a little bad blood that ran over from last year, so the win is just a little bit sweeter tonight for our players and fans.”
Elkmont’s defense was the true crowning jewel of the night.
That impressive group reigned supreme, holding Clements to less than 120 yards of total offense on 11 possessions to earn a win over the Colts for the first time since 2015.
“Our defense really showed up and showed out, so I’m super proud of those guys,” Schrenk said. “They played lights out all game long. Anytime you shut somebody out, you’ve got to be doing something right.”
Not only did the Red Devils’ stingy defense prevent Clements from reaching the end zone, but it also forced multiple fourth-down stops and snagged two timely interceptions that helped seal the victory.
After a first-half stalemate ended in a scoreless tie, Elkmont’s offense finally came to life and capitalized on its defense’s opportunistic play.
“Our offense is kind of like novocaine — you just keep giving them a little bit, a little bit, a little bit and then it pops,” Schrenk said. “That was our analogy at halftime. We just had to keep pounding the rock and then take the shots when we could.”
After a Clements three-and-out kicked off the second half, Elkmont utilized an 11-play drive that led to a 8-yard touchdown scramble from freshman quarterback Reid Bardos.
A successful 2-point conversion gave Elkmont an 8-0 lead halfway through the third quarter before junior Lincoln Doner intercepted a stray pass from Clements on the next possession.
Bardos hit junior wide receiver Owen Burgess in stride down the far left sideline on the next snap for a 42-yard touchdown that ballooned the lead to 16-0.
“We played like crap in the second half — that’s the problem,” Clements head coach Brick Pugh. “We got in our own heads and shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers for the fifth game in a row.”
Elkmont was able to run out the clock for the rest of the game, using a stable of running backs to keep possession down the stretch.
With the win, Elkmont advances to 2-3 on the season and 1-2 in Class 3A, Region 7 play. The Red Devils will have a bye week before hitting the road to play at Sheffield on Friday, Oct. 4.
The loss for Clements drops it to 0-5 on the season and 0-3 in region play. The Colts will look to bounce back next week as they hit the road to face off with Tanner.