Franks leads Tuscaloosa County to playoff win over Bob Jones

Torrey Hunt runs against Tuscaloosa County
(Contributed/ Tammie Stephenson)

MADISON- Quarterback Seth Franks showed why he is one of the top quarterbacks in the state as he threw three touchdown passes with an injured throwing shoulder to lead Tuscaloosa County to a 28-21 Class 7A first-round playoff win over Bob Jones.

Franks, a senior with Division 1 offers, had his arm in a sling after the game. He is still recovering from a separated shoulder after missing last weeks game. Franks hit 20 of 27 passes for 309 yards.

For Bob Jones it is their earliest exit from the playoffs in 4 years. They finish with an 8-3 record.

Despite throwing an interception on the first series, Patriots quarterback Brady Polson led the team back down the field and hit Jonathan Rice on a 16-yard touchdown pass to go up 7-0 after Daniel Womble’s extra point.

Bob Jones was poised to go up two scores but Polson threw his second interception to Justin Little in the end zone.

Franks hit Chase Pearson on a 68-yard pass and scored himself from the one yard line.

Bob Jones went back in front after Deondre Douglas ran a fake punt 32 yards and Polson hit Rice with an 8-yard touchdown pass for a 14-7 lead at halftime.

Bob Jones went up 21-7 in the third quarter after Douglas ran for a first down on another fake punt and then caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Polson.

Franks led Tuscaloosa County back and hit Williams on a 6-yard touchdown pass. He then converted a fourth and nine on the next drive and under pressure hit Williams again from 16 yards out to make it 21-20 after the extra point was blocked.

Polson was intercepted again by Little deep in Tuscaloosa County territory.

Franks led an 81-yard drive and hit Pearson from 22 yards plus the two point conversion to go up 28-21. Bob Jones had another chance to tie or go ahead but Polson threw his fourth interception, all to Justin Little with 2:12 left in the game.

Tuscaloosa County quarterback Seth Franks

The Bob Jones defense held and Carson Styles blocked a punt and Kade Kohler recovered at the eight yard line.

But with no timeouts the offense misfired on three passes and on fourth down Polson’s pass was intercepted by Alex Payne.

“They did an excellent job making plays,” Bob Jones Coach Kevin Rose said of Tuscaloosa County. “Their quarterback threw some really good balls.”

For Bob Jones it was the final game for 28 seniors.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Rose said. “This was a fun group to coach. They overcame a lot of injuries. They gave great effort and accomplished a lot. We got beat tonight and our hat’s off to Tuscaloosa County, that is just life.”

Polson finished 16 of 34 passes for 169 yards, 3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

Douglas had four carries for 38 yards. Jarek Taylor had two interceptions for Bob Jones. Mile Strickland rushed for 96 yards to put him over 1,000 yards this season.

“Justin just had an incredible night,” Tuscaloosa County coach Lee Gibson said of Little’s four interceptions. “That was just him playing coverage. We knew they liked certain routes in certain situations and we put him in position and he made the plays,”