Anniston, AL – Even though the play didn’t count, Anniston’s McElderry shows his skill and savvy as a receiver trying to save quarterback Kam Sandlin from a big loss in Friday’s season opener
By Al Muskewitz
The play didn’t count and it actually cost his team a penalty – and, if he were being honest about it, he knew he shouldn’t have done it – but you have to admit the catch and rumble Anniston lineman Ryqueze McElderry had in Friday night’s season-opening win at Wellborn was one of the highlights of Week Zero and by the end of the year maybe the season at large. Who knew the massive Alabama commitment had such good hands and savvy with the ball?
The play in question came in the third quarter with the Bulldogs leading 45-18. The Panthers flushed quarterback Kamron Sandlin from pocket and a group of five chased him backwards. Looking to not take a big loss, Sandlin threw the ball back downfield where McElderry was standing alone around the line of scrimmage.
McElderry, a basketball player way before he started wowing SEC scouts, caught it cleanly, turned with the help of initial contact, and started to do what any football player with the ball in his hands has been taught to do. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound senior took over towards the end zone.
There was rumbling, but, sorry Chris Berman, there was no stumbling and bumbling to it. Several Wellborn defenders tried to bring him down, but he just flicked them off like buzzing mosquitos. Jaysilus Montgomery, a 322-pound junior, hit him almost immediately and held on, but McElderry dragged him for several yards before he slipped off his back. Then, 179-pound defensive back Carlos Hubbard joined the fray and McElderry never changed stride, carrying him for several yards. Finally, he steam-rolled 170-pound Xavier Parker with a stiff arm before finally being forced out of bounds after picking up about 20 yards. [*** read more]
