Wetumpka's Fourth-Quarter Comeback Falls Short in 28-19 Loss to Stanhope Elmore

MILLBROOK, Ala. — Wetumpka refused to go quietly in its season finale against rival Stanhope Elmore, turning a 15-point deficit into a one-score game in the fourth quarter before the Mustangs pulled away for a 28-19 victory at 17 Springs.

Trailing 21-6 entering the final period, the Indians scored 13 unanswered points and had an opportunity to tie the game following a key defensive takeaway. Stanhope Elmore, however, held off the comeback and added a late touchdown to secure the win.

Wetumpka quarterback Karsen Tate completed 12 of 17 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns while adding 19 yards and a score on the ground. Patrick Davis and Kaleb Ballard each caught a touchdown pass, while Jordan Hill contributed 80 combined rushing and receiving yards.

The Indians struck first in the opening quarter after their defense forced an early Stanhope Elmore punt. Jordan Hill helped move Wetumpka into Mustang territory before Tate connected with Davis on a 45-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point attempt missed, leaving Wetumpka with a 6-0 advantage.

Stanhope Elmore responded with a lengthy possession that carried into the second quarter. Running back Dee Barnes powered the Mustangs downfield, eventually scoring from inside the 1-yard line. The successful extra point gave Stanhope Elmore a 7-6 lead.

Both defenses settled in throughout the second quarter, with Wetumpka finding success against the Mustangs' rushing attack. Cayden Carlisle disrupted several plays in the backfield, while Emerson Paulk, Cooper Wilson, and Jerimiah Sears helped limit Barnes' opportunities.

Wetumpka's special teams also played an important role in the first half. Punter Cyrus Bullock repeatedly forced Stanhope Elmore to begin possessions deep in its own territory, including a punt that Calvin Lewis downed at the Mustangs' 2-yard line.

Despite the field-position advantage, the Indians struggled to sustain drives offensively. Stanhope Elmore took advantage of one final opportunity before halftime. Quarterback Davis Foshee directed a late scoring possession, finding Leland Merritt for a touchdown with nine seconds remaining to extend the Mustangs' lead to 14-6 at the break.

The third quarter brought more frustration for Wetumpka's offense, which continued searching for consistency against the Mustang defense. Stanhope Elmore extended its lead late in the period when Barnes broke through the middle of the Indians' defense for a 35-yard touchdown run. The extra point pushed the advantage to 21-6.

Facing a three-possession deficit, Wetumpka began its comeback in the fourth quarter. Tate helped move the Indians downfield through the air, including a completion to Davis that brought Wetumpka inside the Stanhope Elmore 5-yard line. The quarterback finished the possession himself, powering into the end zone from two yards out. The extra point cut the deficit to 21-13 with approximately eight and a half minutes remaining.

Wetumpka's defense then delivered one of the biggest plays of the night. With Stanhope Elmore looking to protect its eight-point lead, Kingston Johnson intercepted a pass from Foshee and returned possession to the Indians with favorable field position.

Wetumpka wasted little time capitalizing. On the ensuing possession, Tate rolled to his right and found Ballard in the end zone for a touchdown, bringing the Indians within two points at 21-19. The Indians attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game, but Tate's pass was intercepted, preserving Stanhope Elmore's narrow advantage.

The Mustangs turned to Barnes and their rushing attack on the following possession, working the clock while moving deeper into Wetumpka territory. The Indians continued fighting for a stop, but Barnes eventually crossed the goal line with less than a minute remaining. The extra point extended Stanhope Elmore's lead to 28-19, putting the game out of reach.

Despite the loss, Wetumpka received several strong individual performances. Hill finished with 46 rushing yards on four carries and caught four passes for 34 yards. Davis recorded two receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown, while Ballard contributed 17 receiving yards, 17 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns. Defensively, Paulk led the Indians with 13 total tackles, followed by Sears with eight and Wilson with six.

Following the game, Wetumpka head coach Bear Woods praised his team's effort despite the disappointing finish. "Kids fought to the very end," Woods said during the Wetumpka Sports Network postgame broadcast. He pointed to critical mistakes and missed opportunities as factors in the loss, particularly Stanhope Elmore's touchdown just before halftime and the Mustangs' ability to sustain their final scoring drive.

The defeat closes Wetumpka's 2026 football season, but the fourth-quarter rally offered one final example of the resilience Coach Woods emphasized throughout the year.