Bob Jones takes to the air to down Gadsden City
Milkhi Stewart takes a pitch and looks downfield against Gadsden City (Contributed/Tammie Stephenson)
MADISON- Bob Jones was out to prove a point Friday night. That they were better than what they showed in last year’s loss to Gadsden City. The No. 4 ranked Patriots proved their point with a 37-34 victory to take command of Class 7A, Region 4. Bob Jones is now 4-0 (3-0 in region play).
Bob Jones coaches said all week they needed to get Milki Stewart more involved with the offense. The junior receiver did not have a touchdown catch going into the Gadsden City game but that changed as he led the team with 6 catches and 124 yards and his first touchdown catch of the year.
In the first half alone, quarterback Brady Polson was 9 of 12 passing for 194 yards as Bob Jones scored on 4 of 5 possessions. They still led only 23-19 at the half.
Bob Jones opened the scoring on a 24-yard pass to Brad Anderson. Gadsden City answered with a Damon Williams 8-yard run to tie at 6 after both extra points were missed. Anderson then scored on the jet sweep from nine yards. Gadsden City came right back and scored on a three yard quarterback sneak and a 12 yard run by Rodney Bozeman to lead briefly 19-13.
Stewart accounted for all the yards on the next Bob Jones drive on passes from Polson of 15, 25, and 25 yards for the touchdown. A 25-yard field goal by Mathew Stephenson closed the first half scoring.
“We knew we had to put up a big number to win and the receivers all made big plays,” Bob Jones Coach Kevin Rose said. “Brady played outstanding. Stewart had his best game. Marion had a big catch. Gadsden City went to a four man front and made us throw the football.”
“They are a quality football team, very fast with 3 players that can run 4-4. It was an advantage to be at home and our home crowd was a factor.”
Bob Jones defense came up a stop to open the second half and Polson threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jonathon Moss. Anderson added a touchdown to give Bob Jones a 37-19 lead.
Gavin Lewis (90) pursues a Gadsden City runner
But Gadsden City scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to make it a 3 point game.
With his defense reeling Rose called for a fake punt on fourth and one at his own 27-yard line with 3:00 left in the game. Brad Anderson got just enough yardage for a first down against a stacked Gadsden City defense.
“Our best chance to win was with Brad Anderson running the fake, as opposed to punting and maybe getting it blocked.”
Then, Stewart made a pressure catch with 1:33 left to convert a third and three and seal the win for Bob Jones.
“I told the offense to attack and play to win we’re not going conservative and take a knee or run inside zone,” Rose said.
Polson finished with 301 yards passing on 16 completions out of 25 attempts. After the game, he talked about his receivers.
“They had a huge night, they made the plays and made me look good. They have been on the verge of peaking and this game they did. That last drive we were just having fun saying lets get this job done and get this win. The offensive line did a great job and are getting a lot better, stepping up and proving themselves. Last year Gadsden City physically dominated us so this year we proved that Bob Jones isn’t weak.”
Miles Strickland added 115 yards on 26 carries.
