Colbert piled up 28 points in the first quarter on their way to opening Class 3A Region 8 with a 42-17 win over the visiting Elkmont Red Devils Friday night.

The Indian’s Ryan Carpenter took a run play 80 yards on the first play from scrimmage to put the hosts up 7-0 with only 15 seconds off the clock.  After Elkmont went three and out, Colbert County again scored on its first offensive play of the drive when Tyler Jeffreys connected with Anthony West for one of his two touchdown passes of the night.

The Red Devil’s next possession ended in a blocked punt that was recovered in the endzone by Colbert County and with 7:48 left in the first quarter the visitors found themselves in a 21-0 hole.  Jeffreys connected with Tobias Qualls on a 58-yard touchdown with 5:35 left in the opening quarter.

Elkmont junior Mike Tucker started picking up steam to close out the first quarter and ripped off nearly half of his 121 yards in the second quarter.  Late in the first half the Red Devils moved the ball successfully behind strong running by Tucker and Junior Jared Bailey.  Junior kicker Alexis Hernandez kicked a 41-yard field goal to get Elkmont on the board.  Two minutes later Bailey scored on a busted play when he swapped directions and scampered for 33 yards and the touchdown.

Just before half the Indians six plays for 54 yards and notched another touchdown to make the halftime score 35-10.

Each team scored a touchdown a piece in a second half of play which saw both teams run predominantly and succumb to the muggy night.  Colbert County struck first with 6:53 left in the third quarter when Carpenter slipped down the sideline for 34 yards and the score. 

Elkmont returned fire with 3:12 left in the game when senior Kris Gooch found pay dirt after an eight-play, 76-yard drive.

Elkmont Head Coach Sean Holt said there was a lot to take away from a game like this.

“They played hard, they really did,” Holt said.  “I’m proud of them.”

Holt said that what Elkmont will work on now is to and improve.

“We are just trying to be the best football team we can be,” Holt said.  “All we can do is just try and be the best team that we can be.

“This area is just so incredibly good with teams like this (Colbert County) and Deshler and Lauderdale County,” Holt said.  “So we just need to focus on us and try and get better.”

Elkmont host Westminster next week for another region contest.