Bob Jones edges Decatur in thrilling finish

Brad Anderson scoots around the end for yardage against Decatur (Contributed photo/Tammie Stephenson))

DECATUR- In a game marked by momentum swings, Bob Jones rallied in the fourth quarter to claim a 32-31 win against Decatur. The outcome hung in the balance until Decatur kicker Michael Limbaugh’s 43 yard field goal faded left of the goal post with 8 seconds left.

Ahead 28-17 with 9:25 left in the game, Decatur forced a punt and it appeared the Red Raiders were going to end the 7 game 8 year losing streak to Bob Jones. But Matt Stephenson’s punt was bobbled and Derek Marion caught it in mid-air for a fumble recovery. Four plays later Brad Anderson scored on a 19-yard run and a two point conversion had Bob Jones within 3 at 28-25.

Stephenson then saved a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff with his tackle of the kick returner who returned the kick 72 yards and would have scored to likely put the game away for Decatur.

The Bob Jones defense made a stand and held Decatur to only a field goal.

Bob Jones quarterback Brady Polson led the game winning drive hitting five passes, including a tumbling catch by Jonathon Moss at the 2-yard line. Moss’ leaping grab in the end zone with :40 left tied the game at 31. Mathews kicked his third extra point of the game for the winning margin.

“Typical Bob Jones Decatur game, decided in the last 60 seconds,” Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose said afterwards.

Bob Jones played without their top running back Miles Strickland who missed the game and practice all week with concussion-like symptoms. Junior Camara started in his place.

Rose said that he leaned on Polson and his receivers with Strickland not playing.

“Brad Anderson was more involved and Brady got the ball to Milkhi, Derek, and Jonathon Moss. Junior came in and contributed but he’s not used to playing that many snaps.”

Polson was 20 of 35 for 328 yards with two interceptions and three touchdowns.

“In the fourth quarter he was outstanding,” Rose said of Polson. “He had two picks early when he threw bad passes to men we had open for touchdowns but in the fourth quarter he showed great composure and led two touchdown drives and the two point conversion.”

Bob Jones jumped out to a 10-0 lead early. On the opening possession Brad Anderson took a short pass 74 yards to the 6-yard line but Decatur forced a 22-yard field goal. Late in the first quarter, after completions to Stewart and Sean Goodman, Polson threw a touchdown pass to Moss.

“We played nine different defensive linemen trying to get through 60 or 70 snaps. The first game of the season you are going to have cramps and we did. I’m just glad we survived,” Rose said.

Bob Jones also had numerous penalties that cost them field position. A personal foul in the second quarter helped Decatur to their first touchdown. Another personal foul chop block in the fourth quarter negated a fourth down conversion. Overall the Patriots were penalized 7 times for 80 yards.

Bob Jones had 426 total yards but rushed for only 106. Anderson had 5 catches for 190 yards and rushed 12 times for 70 yards.

A.J. Harris got an interception in the second quarter on a fourth and 13 pass by Decatur quarterback Griffin McCollum.

Decatur gashed the Patriots defense for over 200 yards rushing, most right up the middle. LaDarius Woods had a 20 yard run to set up Decatur’s first touchdown, a 1-yard run by Cameron Elliot. Scott Littrell added a seven yard touchdown run to make the halftime score 17-14 Bob Jones leading.

Decatur got their final touchdown on a 31 yard pass from McCollum to Alec Marks.