Patriots prepare for ‘New Season’; playoffs start Friday
Bob Jones senior Drew Davis and head coach Kevin Rose photo by Barry Anderson
When the Bob Jones football team started the season an uncharacteristic 1-2, head Coach Kevin Rose knew his team could bounce back.
The Patriots righted the ship and won six straight region games. They also defeated four playoff teams in the process. Now on the eve of the playoffs, Bob Jones is again region champion and set to host a first-round playoff game against Gadsden City, a team they have never played. The game is Friday night at 7 p.m.
Bob Jones is 6-0 this season at Madison City Schools Stadium and has won those games by an average of 24 points.
Rose says the home field advantage can make a big difference in this game.
“We need a big crowd. We need the student body to come out in force to have that great atmosphere, that Bob Jones mo-jo that we have had at home this season. We need the people of Madison to come out and support these kids. We’ve played extremely well at home and I think this team has benefited from the home field more than any I’ve ever coached,” Rose said in an interview this week.
Last week, Bob Jones lost to Muscle Shoals 38-6 and for the third year in a row will enter the playoffs after losing their last game of the season. The last two seasons the Patriots have bounced back and won their first playoff game. Rose is confident they can make it three years in a row.
“Kids are very resilient,” Rose said. “We’re not going to let one game have a negative effect on us. We can’t let one loss become two. We’ve always done a good job of that here. This is a game that counts and you win Friday night and advance and move on.”
Rose reported that his team’s health, a concern after several key players left the Muscle Shoals game early, is very good.
“(Linebacker) Nick Holman had a hamstring tendon strain and he will be full speed by Friday. Kevin Wright has got a thumb issue that has bothered him all season but he will be a full go Friday. For this point in the season we’re about as healthy as you can be.”
Gadsden City finished the season 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the region. They were edged by Huntsville 35-32 in the final region game to fall to a #4 seed. But as usual, the Titans have great athletes and several Division 1 recruits.
Two are already committed to SEC schools.
Linebacker #58 Finesse Middleton (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) is committed to the University of Mississippi. Wide Receiver #11 BJ Hammond (6-foot-4) is committed to Mississippi State. Another player, defensive lineman #61 Rodney Edwards (6-foot-2, 295 pounds) is holding offers from UAB and Southern Miss.
“They are one of the most talented teams in the state,” Rose said. “They are very fast, very athletic. They have a speed guy at every position on offense. They can go 80 yards on any play if you miss a tackle or miss an assignment.”
Rose said one point to look for is that “they have turned it over and our defense has been good and we need to force some takeaways. Offensively we have to protect it. If we win the turnover battle we will have a chance to win.”
If Bob Jones can win against Gadsden City they would host another playoff game against the Mountain Brook– Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa winner.
“It is a good draw,” Rose said of the bracket. Hoover, who has eliminated Bob Jones in two of the last three seasons, is in the top half of the bracket and each team would have to win three games to meet each other in the north division championship game.
