MILLBROOK, Alabama -- It was a defensive sluggfest for four quarters in a rivalry game as Prattville hangs on to a 16-10 win over Stanhope Elmore Friday night at Foshee-Henderson Stadium. It looked llike Prattville was going to run away with the game leading 16-0 at the half, but the game turned to Stanhope Elmore in the second half.

Both teams made big fourth down stands in the second half, but Stanhope Elmore just ran out of downs as Prattville overcame a big 3rd and 11 to convert a first down to run out the clock and did not give the Mustangs one more chance. "We knew that Stanhope has a good team," said Lions Head coach Caleb Ross. "We thought coming in we might struggle blocking their front four. They have one of the better D-lines that we are going to see all year. As the game went on we had some explosve plays. Not our best night offensively. Very proud of our defense I thought time and time they kept making stops and we had to grind this one out."

Prattville (2-0) scored first in the game on a Collin Rogers 34-yard field goal. With 7:52 left in the game, Prattville led 3-0. With 6:34 left in the second quarter, Keondre Powell scored on a 16-yard run and the Lions led 10-0. A 62-yard pass in the backfield by Al'terious Bates setup the first Lions touchdown. With 2:34 left before the half, EJ Ousley hit Jack Hallman on a 15-yard touchdown pass play for the Lions. The 2-point conversion failed and Prattville took a 16-0 lead into the half.

In the second half, Stanhope Elmore took the momentum put couldn't get enough points in the second half even though the offense came alive. It looked like Prattville was going to score again though as Albert Taggert raced 59-yards down to the Mustangs 22-yard line but was turned away on downs. With 3:18 left in the third quarter, freshman kicker Jacob Bryant hit a 35-yard field goal and the Mustangs were on the scoreboard but down 16-3. 

Prattville had a few drives in the second half but were turned away and left the door open for Stanhope Elmore to make a comeback. In the second half, Teddy Harris moved from receiver to quarterback for a few series and ran the wildcat package and kept the ball moving while keeping the Prattville offense off the field. Stanhope Elmore missed a field goal but scored late in the game. 

Late in the fourth quarter, Stanhope Elmore down 13 made a good drive. WIth third and 2 at the Lions 43-yard line, quarterback Trey Killingsworth kept a direct snap and game six yards for a big first down. One play later, Killingsworth hit Teddy Harris down at the Lions 2-yard line and the Mustangs were in business. With 2:29 left in the game, Killingsworth takes the direct snap and runs into the end zone for a Mustangs score. With the touchdown, Stanhope Elmore trailed 16-10 late in the game.

Stanhope Elmore tried an onside kick but Prattville recovered and ran out the clock for the victory. "He had a lot of fight, the kids played real hard," said Mustangs Head coach Brian Bradford. "We wanted the win against our rival, but we messed up the first half as much as we could. I was glad to see them come out in the second half and fight."

Up next for both teams, Prattville will travel to Auburn will host Benjamin Russell.