The Stanhope Elmore football team had its back against the wall early, and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa did not let up in the first round of the playoffs.

Injuries ultimately reared their ugly head, forcing the Mustangs to dip further into the depth chart to keep up with the Patriots, resulting in a 50-7 loss for Stanhope Elmore.

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Lizi Arbogast / TPI Stanhope Elmore's Dee Barnes (1) and the Mustangs fall to No. 3 ranked Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa in the first round of the playoffs.