Hazel Green Shocks Bob Jones 42-14
BY BRETT BEAIRD / FOR THE RECORD
The Hazel Green Trojans capitalized on five Bob Jones turnovers and 12 penalties, took an insurmountable 21-0 first quarter lead and shocked Bob Jones 42-14 at Trojan Field.
The loss ended a 26- game consecutive winning streak for the Patriots in Class 6A Region 8. Three interceptions, two fumbles and 12 penalties for 108 yards ended the Patriots win streak.
The Trojans have not beaten Bob Jones since 2004. The Patriots had outscored the Trojans 355-35 since 2004 until Friday’s loss. Hazel Green is coming off its first winning season and playoff appearance since 2004. The Trojans program went 4-36 from 2007-2010. Decatur was the last team to beat the Patriots on the road September 26, 2008.
Bob Jones (2-2, 2-1 in Region 8 Class 6A) actually out gained Hazel Green 289 yards to 233 yards but the turnovers and penalties were too much to overcome. The Patriot defense held the Trojans to only 40 yards passing. Patriot quarterback Trey Bates completed 15-of-20 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
After rushing for a game high 246 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 48-42 win against Florence, Jay Rogers led the Patriots in rushing again with 111 yards on 23 carries. Kevin Wright added 48 yards on nine carries and scored a touchdown for Bob Jones.
One play turned the game around for Hazel Green. The majority of the first quarter was played in Hazel Green (3-1, 2-1 in Region 8 Class 6A) territory as the Patriots moved the ball consistently but could not score. On Bob Jones second possession of the first quarter, the Patriots converted three first downs and had driven to the Hazel Green 10 yard line. But on the next play, the Patriots fumbled on the Trojans five yard line and Bryan Lowman of Hazel Green picked up the ball and raced 95-yards untouched for a touchdown with 2:08 remaining in the first quarter.
On the ensuing possession for Bob Jones, Patriot quarterback Trey Bates threw an interception and two plays later Rodney Held ran eight yards to increase Hazel Green’s lead to 14-0 with 1:03 remaining in the quarter. The Patriots quickly turned the ball over again and on the last play of the first quarter, Trojan running back Josh Burnett broke three tackles and ran 59 yards for a touchdown to give Hazel Green a 21-0 lead.
In the second quarter after Seth Parker replaced Bates at quarterback, Bob Jones tried a Ben Washington option pass but the pass was intercepted by the Trojans. Hazel Green then had their longest drive of the night going 80 yards on nine plays capped by an 18-yard touchdown pass from Corey Collier to Dre McClain to increase the Trojans lead to 35-0.
The Patriots finally scored to decrease the Trojans lead to 35-7. After recovering a fumble, the Patriots drove 50 yards in seven plays capped by an 11-yard pass from Bates to Jonathan Rice. A huge crowd from Madison seemed to inspire the Patriots as the defense stopped the Trojans, but several key penalties including two chop blocks called on Patriot offensive linemen stalled another drive.
Hazel Green scored again late in the third quarter to increase their lead to 42-14 after Collier ran in from 12 yards.
The Patriots would end the scoring with a 63 yard drive in 10 plays as Kevin Wright scored on an 8-yard run with 2:21 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Bob Jones has homecoming next week and will face Huntsville.
