Elkmont played Colbert Heights to a stalemate on Friday night, but the difference in the game was two extra point attempts. Colbert Heights was able to convert a fortunate 2-point conversion after bobbling the snap on a PAT attempt while Elkmont’s 2-point conversion attempt off of a fake PAT failed.

Those two plays were the difference in Colbert Heights’ 15-13 victory over the Red Devils.

Elkmont trailed 15-7 when Davis Hobbs scored on a 5-yard run with 3:54 remaining. The Red Devils lined up for the extra point attempt but faked it, with a pass into the end zone skipping off the receivers’ hands.

Elkmont had one more chance to get the ball back, as Colbert Heights faced a fourth and two on its next possession. But the Wildcats were able to convert for the first down and then run out the clock on the two-point victory.

Even after the loss, Elkmont coach Duane Wales was proud of his team’s performance.

“Our guys probably played one of the best games we’ve played all year even though we lost the game,” Wales said. “We gave great effort on defense by allowing only 15 points and matched them on offense. It was a very good effort by the guys.”

Colbert Heights improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Class 3A, Region 8 while Elkmont fell to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in region play.

The Red Devils got on the board first when Patrick Jobman tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Christian Green midway through the first quarter.

Colbert Heights took the lead with two scores in the second quarter.

Kevin Shaw scored on a 2-yard run before the Wildcats converted what would turn out to be the difference in the game. The snap on the extra point attempt was bobbled by the holder, who was able to pick the ball up and take it into the end zone for two points and an 8-7 lead.

Colbert Heights extended the lead just before halftime on a Chandler Willis 3-yard touchdown run around right end.

The score stayed that way until Elkmont’s touchdown in the final minutes.

Jobman led the Red Devils with 146 rushing yards on 14 attempts while Green led the defense with 10.5 tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Even though the Red Devils have just one win, Wales said the improvement among the team from last season’s 0-10 record is noticeable in practice and games.

“We’ve really been working hard on fundamentals each week in practice,” Wales said. “Every day we work on blocking and tackling by every member of the team. We’re trying to constantly build fundamentals and build toughness.”

Elkmont hosts Lauderdale County on Friday, and Wales hopes the improvement he is seeing continues throughout the rest of the season.

“Right now, even though we’ve only got one victory, I can see improvement everyday in practice and on Friday nights,” Wales said. “It’s only a matter of time before good things start happening to our kids because they are really working hard for us.”