Stanhope’s Dalton VanCor boots the winning field goal in the Mustangs’ overtime win on Friday. (Photo by Brian Finley. For more photos, click here.)

By Brian Finley
RRS Correspondent
(August 30, 2010)

ALABASTER - A defensive struggled ended in a 10-7 victory for the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs thanks to an overtime field goal from kicker Dalton VanCor.

The Mustangs overcame four turnovers to win its season opener.

“I really do think everything happens for a reason and I’m thankful we were tested like this. I told the guys were going to have to build off of this for next week. We have a lot of adjustments to make during the week but I know we’re capable,” Stanhope coach Jeff Foshee said.

The first half didn’t go as smoothly as hoped for the Mustangs. After the defense forced a punt, the first drive of the year resulted in two fumbles, the second recovered by the Warriors.

After two squashed run plays, the Mustangs recover a fumble on third down taking over from their own 36-yard line. The Mustangs avoid a turnover and go three-and-out before a 9 play, 46-yard drive from the Warriors comes to a halt on the 22-yard line. The joy of the defensive stand was soon forgotten as a once 15-yard run turned into another turnover for the Mustangs.

 The defense forced a punt once again giving a first down the Mustangs on their 30 yard line. The Mustangs played only two snaps before their fourth fumble in two quarters of play.

“I don’t think it was the wet ball as much as it was the first-game jitters,” said Foshee “We got it out of our system and came out in the second half fighting.”

Fortunately, turnovers seem to fuel the fire of the Mustang defense. After another lengthy Warrior drive, Thompson’s scoring hopes dwindle away at the 6-yard line. After a lightning delay the Mustangs put together a promising drive before heading to the locker rooms in a 0-0 defensive stalemate.

In the opening drive of the second half, the Mustangs looked like a completely different team, not only bypassing fumbles, but riding the legs of running back Fred Harris for 84 yards and a touchdown. Harris started the drive with a 24-yard kick return to the 40-yard line. Austin Sanderson followed with a 19-yard gain before Harris knocked out the last 35 yards in just two plays for the first score of the game. Dalton VanCor’s extra point gave the Mustangs a 7-0 lead.

Keebo Lewis and the Mustangs defense continued to hold the Warriors in check throughout the third and fourth quarters. With just over 3 minutes to play, the Warriors took over on their own 35-yard line and began to drive. It took Thompson 17 plays to march down the field, capping off the scoring drive with an extra point to tie the game at 7 with only 28 seconds left to play. Foshee elected to down the ball and play for overtime.

Stanhope won the toss and elected to start on defense. Overtime starts from the 10-yard line, so the Mustangs were hoping to hold the opposition to a field goal. Defensive back, Ryan Callicot had other plans in mind. On second and 10 Callicot picked off the Warrior pass just before reaching the end zone.

The Mustangs ran the ball three times before attempting the field goal. The ball was spotted on the right hash mark, not exactly the ideal position for a 21-yard attempt. It was no problem for VanCor however, and he split the uprights to give the Mustangs the win.

 The Mustangs will take on Prattville next week at Foshee-Henderson Stadium in Millbrook.