Bob Jones, Florence play it close but Patriots prevail
BJHS linebacker Nick Holman bats down a pass from Kendrick Doss
(PHOTO/JOHN PARKES)
FLORENCE- Just call Jay Rogers a workhorse. The senior running back gave Bob Jones the edge they needed.
On a night when defense dominated, Rogers wore down the seventh-ranked Florence defense and gashed them with a 39-yard run for a key first down late in the fourth quarter as Bob Jones held on for 13-7 victory over Florence. The win will go a long way in deciding the eventual champion in Class 6A, Region 8.
Florence featured highly-rated players on both sides of the ball including quarterback Kendrick Doss, an Ole Miss commitment and two offensive linemen, Daniel Keith and Cole Hardin, with offers.
Bob Jones senior quarterback Tyler Whalen had two touchdown passes that proved to be enough and the Patriots defense came up with one big stop after another.
One hero for the defense was Tyler Brutofsky who stripped the ball from Florence receiver Isaac Dillard on the Falcon’s first series of the game. On the next play, Whalen caught the Falcon defense napping and hit a wide open Brandon Richardson for a 35-yard touchdown pass.
Brutofsky also intercepted Doss in the end zone after Jarek Taylor deflected a pass to stop a second quarter Florence scoring opportunity.
“He’s a great player,” Brutofsky said of Doss. “He’s big and strong. They were very big. We’re always smaller every week we come out here. But we don’t let that get to us. We pride ourselves on being smart on the field. This is a huge win. It’s always our toughest game. Everybody contributed tonight.”
On the Falcons next possession the Bob Jones defense kept up the pressure as Brandon Davis sacked Doss on fourth down for a loss of 14 yards after Nick Holman had batted away a screen pass attempt.
Doss accounted for most of Florence’s offense but was held in check most of the game. He finished with 55 yards rushing on 16 attempts and was 7 of 19 passing for 67 yards and two interceptions.
Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose said all week the game would come down to his defense containing Doss.
“Our defense played spectacular. To hold him to that yardage that’s an awesome job,” Rose said.
“Tyler (Brutofsky) has a real knack for the ball, his two plays were special but I could name 10 guys on defense that helped get us off the field.”
Doss led a drive in the second quarter that culminated with a 5 –yard touchdown run by Roland Adams.
The teams went to halftime tied 7-7. But the Bob Jones offense was having trouble staying on the field. They were 0 for 7 on third down and 0 for 2 on fourth down.
Florence’s two turnovers kept the game close.
In the third quarter the defense held Florence again on downs. Dustin Haraway had a tackle for loss and Julian Lewis stopped Doss on third and two. Brandon Davis stopped the fourth down run and momentum changed.
Whalen took advantage of field position and hit Roderick Randolph on an eleven yard touchdown for a 13-7 lead after Trulock’s extra point was no good.
Bob Jones held a decided advantage in the punt game. Mike Bernier averaged over 40 yards a punt and had one for 50. He also pinned Florence at their 2-yard line in the last minute of the game.
Nursing a precarious lead, Jay Rogers took over the game. He ripped off a 52-yard run to set Bob Jones up but Whalen’s potential touchdown pass slipped through the hands of Jonathan Rice in the end zone. Trulock attempted a 38-yard field goal but the line drive bounced off the crossbar.
Julian Lewis then came up with another big defensive play when he stripped Doss of the ball and Santrez Burton recovered but Bob Jones gave the ball right back when Whalen floated a screen pass in the middle that was picked off and the big Florence crowd roared to life.
Florence’s last chance ended when Santrez Burton intercepted his pass with a minute left.
Rogers finished with 124 yards on 15 carries and Whalen finished 8-15 passing for 100 yards.
“We started off slow in the first half,” Rogers said. “The team kept playing and it opened up in the fourth quarter when it counts. We were all calm at halftime and coach told us to keep our composure and do our jobs.
Bob Jones is now 3-0, 2-0 in region play. They host Hazel Green next Friday.
