By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
Glencoe High did everything necessary to win a big football game on Friday (Nov. 21) in Leighton. In the process, the Yellow Jackets dismantled Colbert County, 48-19, in the third round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
Glencoe hosts top-ranked Madison Academy in the semifinal round. The Mustangs (12-1) are two-time defending state champions.
“We played physical and we played fast,” Glencoe coach Lee Ozmint said. “Our seniors stepped up and led us from the start.”
One of those seniors – quarterback Dylan Stone – opened the scoring with an 81-yard dash with 5:27 to go in the first quarter. Stone faked a handoff to Thomas Ozmint, and then ran over left tackle. Once Stine got by the linebackers, it was a footrace to the end zone. On the previous play, Colbert County’s Easton Evans had punted, pinning Glencoe on the 19.
After forcing an Indians three-and-out, Glencoe went to work, scoring in six plays with 40 seconds left in the first quarter on Thomas Ozmint’s 4-yard run. The drive covered 50 yards.
With 1:18 left in the first half, the Yellow Jackets struck again, this time with Stone scoring from 5 yards out. Stone faked a pass then ran over left tackle virtually untouched. It took eight plays to cover 81 yards.
On the opening drive of the second half, Glencoe served notice that it was going to finish the game in strong fashion. The Yellow Jackets covered 48 yards in six plays but got lucky on the fourth play. It appeared that Ronald Beckwith had intercepted a Stone pass but interference was called, giving the ball back to Glencoe.
The scoring play was a 3-yard dash by Ozmint, and Joseph Bright’s PAT made the score 27-0 with 9:37 remaining in the third quarter.
Colbert County (8-5) next drove the field but turned the ball over on downs at the 19-yard line. From there, Glencoe took only five plays to score on a 2-yard Ozmint rush. The big play was a 62-yard, tackle-breaking run by Ozmint.
The Indians then put together a touchdown drive, scoring in eight plays and covering 75 yards. They were aided by a 30-yard penalty against Glencoe. The scoring play was a 27-yard pass from Tyler Jeffreys to Keandre Smith. The Jackets’ Chance Duncan blocked the extra point.
On the ensuing drive, the Yellow Jackets scored again, this time covering 55 yards on nine plays. Stone scored on a 5-yard rush and with 8:54 to play, Glencoe owned a 41-6 lead.
Colbert County answered with a 9-yard scoring pass to Tobias Qualls with 5:12 left in the game. The drive covered 67 yards and nine plays.
Glencoe wasn’t done. On the Yellow Jackets’ second play from scrimmage, Ozmint broke free and ran untouched for a 57-yard touchdown.
The Indians then scored in six plays covering 55 yards on a touchdown to Ronald Beckwith. With 2:11 left to play, the score stood at 48-19.
“I felt, before the kickoff, that we stood an excellent chance,” Lee Ozmint said. “Our coordinators had a great game plan, and I knew if we stopped the buck sweep, we would win. We stopped the buck sweep.”
The Indians managed only 118 rushing yards on 27 carries. Jeffreys completed 17-of-36 passes for 177 yards.
For Glencoe, Stone ran 15 times for 191 yards and three touchdowns. Ozmint covered 192 yards on 20 carries. He scored four touchdowns.