Bob Jones completes perfect region slate with blowout of Hazel Green

Bob Jones running back Miles Strickland (1) says the team is ready for the playoffs (Contributed/ Tammie Stephenson)

HAZEL GREEN- Any thoughts Hazel Green had of pulling an upset of the #1 ranked team in 7A were dashed early as Bob Jones scored on their first possession and pulled away to post a 43-7 victory.

The win completes a perfect 7-0 record in Region 4, Class 7A. Bob Jones will go for a perfect 10-0 regular season next week at home against 6A Austin. It will be senior night.

“It is a very competitive region and to go through it undefeated is something our guys can be really proud of,” Bob Jones head coach Kevin Rose said.

One senior to be honored is Miles Strickland who leads Bob Jones in every offensive category and led the way in the dismantling of Hazel Green.

Taking the opening kickoff, quarterback Brady Polson led Bob Jones on a quick 65 yard drive with Strickland scoring on a 5 yard run. Milkhi Stewart intercepted Hazel Green quarterback Cole Guffey’s pass to get the ball back and Strickland ran 53 yards after getting a shuttle pass from Polson. Polson next hit Jonathon Moss on a 68 yard touchdown pass.

The only thing that went wrong for Bob Jones was a failed pass to kicker Matthew Stephenson on the fake PAT. Nevertheless, Bob Jones led 20-0 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter Polson misfired on two passes and Milkyle Stewart misfired on a throwback pass. Brad Anderson broke a 50 yard touchdown run to put Bob Jones up 27-0 at the half. Hazel Green was held to 94 total yards in the first half.

Polson was 8 of 16 passing with 176 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half. Strickland chipped in with 78 yards rushing.

“We came in here tonight and made a statement,” Strickland said. “We don’t care about ranking we came out and played fast, that is Bob Jones football.”

Strickland says they are ready and excited for the playoffs.

“There is something special and great about this team. We knew that after the Carver game. Our morale is really high right now. We train for the tough games, for adversity. I’m excited about going into the playoffs and playing some Birmingham teams and teams down in South Alabama and see how we rank with them.”

Bob Jones again appeared to be the fastest team.

“We controlled the pace of the game. We are a fast paced team and control the tempo.”

Bob Jones’ starters came out early in the third quarter after a touchdown run by Stewart.

On defense Drew Styles got his first interception of the year and Stephenson added a 29-yard field goal.