Miles goes for two bills as Bob Jones races past Florence
Miles Strickland found plenty of running room against Florence (Contributed/ Tammie Stephenson)
FLORENCE- Bob Jones running back Miles Strickland made himself right at home on the fast artificial turf at Braly Stadium, the home field of the Florence Falcons Friday night. He rushed for 207 yards on 20 carries and scored 3 touchdowns as Bob Jones defeated Florence 42-24.
Bob Jones is now 5-0 and plays Buckhorn next Friday night.
Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose said the team was focused and ready to play.
“Really proud of the offense, our line is improving every week and the skill guys like Miles are capitalizing on it,” Rose said. “It’s important that we played well even though it is not a region game. We beat a team that has been to the semifinals in the playoffs two years in a row, at their place. Miles is playing really well. He’s got an opportunity to be an ACC player or better if he continues to improve.”
Strickland’s first touchdown, 58 yards through the middle of the defense, put Bob Jones up 21-7. His second came in the third quarter after Florence closed the score 28-24. Strickland went 54 yards. His third touchdown was late in the fourth quarter. A twelve yard sweep where he outran the defense to the corner and went up the sideline.
Bob Jones played fast and Strickland said the turf was to his liking.
“The turf made a difference on my cutting, I can really get my foot stuck in the ground and change direction easier than I could on grass, there is a big difference,” he said.
Brad Anderson burned the turf and Florence’s kickoff team for a 95 yard kickoff return for Bob Jones first touchdown to tie the game after Florence scored on their first possession.
Bob Jones kicker Mathew Stephenson kept Florence guessing on kickoffs. His first, a pooch kick, bounced around and Carlos Davis recovered it for Bob Jones. Quarterback Brady Polson shook off an early interception and connected with Jonathan Moss for a 56 yard touchdown pass.
A.J. Harris got interception #5 on the season when Florence quarterback Monterius Turner overthrew a receiver and Harris, moving in behind the receiver, caught it in stride. Harris left the game in the third quarter with an ankle sprain and did not return. He later said that the injury was not serious.
Florence got two touchdown runs by Kameron Davis to tie the game at 21. With time running out in the first half, Polson converted a third and 14 with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Milkhi Stewart for a 28-21 halftime lead for Bob Jones.
On defense the Patriots sacked Falcon’s quarterback Monterius Turner four times. The final one by Cameron Langham ended a late Falcon scoring drive. Langham also recovered a fumble to stop a long Florence drive.
Bob Jones linebackers Kade Koler (41) and LeChauz Langford pressure Florence quarterback
Brandon Alexander intercepted a pass to end Florence’s final drive.
Bob Jones was mostly penalty free except for a personal foul late in the game. Florence cost themselves a touchdown twice on penalties early in the game.
