Elkmont used a strong running game and stingy defense to overcome a huge number of penalties and defeat East Lawrence 40-12.

The Red Devils were penalized 21 times for 205 yards in the game, but overcame that thanks its running game and defense that intercepted three passes.

Cameron Davis was the bell cow for the Elkmont offense, rushing for 178 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Davis also had nine tackles on defense.

Ben Hobbs had two of Elkmont’s three interceptions, with Christian Green getting the other one to go along with his 11 tackles.

Elkmont scored first when Luke Claunch ran in a 5-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. Ben Besherse expanded the lead to 14-0 when he scored on a 20-yard run late in the second quarter. East Lawrence cut the lead to 14-6 at the half on a 3-yard run by William Sherrill with 1:52 remaining before halftime.

However, Elkmont didn’t let East Lawrence have the momentum for long. The Red Devils scored twice in the third quarter, the first coming on a 5-yard run by Davis and the other on a 10-yard run by Davis Hobbs.

Elkmont continued to run away in the fourth quarter, as Peyton Lovell scored on an 18-yard run early in the final quarter before Davis capped off the night with a 53-yard run with just over a minute remaining in the game.

Levi Barnes had the only touchdown for East Lawrence, scoring on a 5-yard run in the fourth.

Elkmont rushed for 357 yards total in the game, while holding East Lawrence to just 86 rushing yards.

The Red Devils (1-4, 1-2 Class 3A, Region 8), will step out of region play next week to play at West Limestone.