Patriots pound cross-town rival Sparkman

The Bob Jones Patriots defeated the rival Sparkman High School Senators 48-17 at Sparkman, Friday, Oct. 15 to set up the decisive Class 6A, Region 8 championship game against Decatur at home next week.

The game started off shaky for the Patriots, but the team redeemed itself as the game went played out.

“I’m really proud of the way we played,” said head coach Kevin Rose. “I thought it was a big positive win at a rivalry game and it sets up a great regional championship next week.”

Quarterback Jeffrey Moss connected with receiver Collins Moore for a touchdown pass in the first quarter to put the Patriots up 7-0.

In the second quarter, Zach Freeman connected with Moore twice to increase the lead to 21-0, as Moore finished the first half with three touchdown receptions and 150 yards receiving.

Trai Ragland also took the ball in from 1 yard out in the second quarter to give the Patriots a commanding halftime lead. In the second half, Freeman connected with Xavier Gaddy for a third-quarter touchdown pass, his third of the game.

Braden Hager nailed a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter, and then added a 21-yard field goal after Moss connected with Kevin Wright for a touchdown pass to close out the scoring.

The Patriots take on Decatur next week and Rose said although the team isn’t completely ready right now, they most definitely will be when the time comes next week.

“We’ll just do what Bob Jones does,” he said. “We’re a good football team, we’re well-coached and our kids play hard, we’re going to play our style of play and if we do that for 48 min we’ll have a chance to win next week.”

The Patriots will host Decatur Oct. 22 in a match-up that will decide the Class 6A, Region 8 title.