In the end, disappointment for Bob Jones
Ryan Crooks found few open running lanes against Vestavia Hills
(CONTRIBUTED/CINDY HESS)
MADISON- Bob Jones had more than just hope entering Fridays quarterfinal playoff game against Vestavia Hills, they expected to be playing next week for a chance to win a state championship.
But the Patriots never seemed to find their comfort zone, fell behind early, and a comeback came up short as Vestavia walked away with a 19-12 win.
“We’ve got a lot to be proud of,” said senior cornerback Christian Hess. “We played a great game tonight. It just didn’t work out in the end. We won a bunch of close games this year but we just couldn’t pull this one out.”
Bob Jones realized early that Vestavia had the upper hand as the Patriots tried a fake punt on their first series. Tyler Brutofsky was stopped for no gain and Vestavia took over in Bob Jones territory. Jordan Johnson had a 20-yard run to the one yard line where he ran in for a touchdown with 6:17 left in the first quarter.
The Bob Jones offense couldn’t get going and had three-and-outs on their next three possessions.
Vestavia was tough in punt coverage, an area Bob Jones usually swung field position in their favor.
Vestavia needed just four plays to get back in the end zone as Christian Palmer scored from one yard out to cap a four play drive. The extra point was no good but Vestavia led 13-0 with 9:09 left in the second quarter.
Bob Jones finally got the offense going but had to overcome an unsportsmanlike penalty. Quarterback Jeremy Frye hit Jonathan Rice to the three yard line. Frye scored on a keeper on fourth down from a yard out.
But the play proved costly as Frye left the game with a right ankle injury that was later diagnosed as a fracture. He did not return.
The two point conversion failed and Vestavia led 13-6. Vestavia’s Jack Hatchett added a 22-yard field goal to make it 16-6 at halftime.
Vestavia racked up over 100 yards rushing in the first half primarily with Johnson running the sweep.
For the game, Jordan Johnson rushed 20 times for 134 yards and Palmer rushed for 71 yards on 8 carries for Vestavia Hills.
“They hurt us on the downhill toss and we made adjustments at halftime and finally got it stopped,” said Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose.
“Tyler Whalen came in and did a good job after Jeremy got hurt. Anytime your starting quarterback goes out it is a big deal. Tyler came in and gave us a chance but we had to settle for field goals,” Rose said.
The teams traded field goals in the third quarter. Needing a break, the Bob Jones defense provided it when Kenneth Turney forced and recovered a fumble.
Ryan Crooks and Jay Rogers moved the chains on the ground but Bob Jones had to settle for a Trulock 20-yard field to get to within a touchdown.
The defense made another stop when Dylan Haraway made a first-down saving tackle in space on quarterback Landon Crowder.
A holding penalty dashed the final drive as Whalen misfired on deep passes.
Whalen finished 6 for 11 for 50 yards. Frye was 7 of 10 for 32 yards before leaving.
Jeremy Frye is wrapped up by a VH defender in Friday night’s playoff game
(CONTRIBUTED/CINDY HESS)
Jay Rogers rushed for 62 yards on 14 carries. Ryan Crooks carried the load on offense including a series as quarterback. But Vestavia kept him from breaking big plays, a key to winning the game. Crooks had 67 yards rushing on 10 carries and caught seven passes for 40 yards.
Bob Jones never gave up hope and not until the final second ticked off the clock did the 34 seniors realize their high school careers were over. Vestavia Hills had ended Bob Jones season just like they did in 2007. Bob Jones is now 0-4 against Vestavia who moves on to play Hoover.
“They broke a couple of big runs and that hurt us. I thought we were ready for them but they came out and played better than we did,” Hess said.
Bob Jones had trailed in a playoff game for only a minute against Oxford but never got the lead on Vestavia as Coach Buddy Anderson racked up his career 309th victory, a state record.
Bob Jones tied school records for victories and advancing in the playoffs. They defeated 8 playoff teams this season.
“This is as good a football team as I’ve ever coached,” Rose said. “These seniors will be missed. What they have done is extremely impressive. We have put our football program in a position where people know we are a top five program.”
