New season starts tonight for James Clemens; Bob Jones plays Friday

Joseph Arias (10) and Devon Atkinson (1) will lead James Clemens in playoff game tonight
(Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)

MADISON- Today and Friday, the attention of the state will be on Madison as James Clemens and Bob Jones open the AHSAA playoffs with home games against Birmingham area teams in Class 7A.

Their goals are to win and advance. The circumstances are different though.

James Clemens (9-1) seeks to make history with their first playoff win. Last season the Jets made the playoffs and played well at Oak Mountain but lost late.

Bob Jones wants to succeed where past teams have failed. If they can defeat Vestavia Hills they would put behind them the postseason losses the last four years. Hoover, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, and Tuscaloosa County have ended the Patriots seasons going back to 2011. All those losses have come at home.

The Jets host Hewitt-Trussville and will be without quarterback Heath Burchfield. The four year starter broke a bone in his passing hand three weeks ago. He had surgery and is out for the playoffs. Joseph Arias stepped into the position and played well in wins over Huntsville and Sparkman. He struggled last week against Hamilton but head coach Wade Waldrop says he has confidence in the junior.

“The expectation for Joseph is to lead your team and do what you have to do to win the football game,” Waldrop said.

Burchfield was having a huge year. Through seven games he was completing 63% of his passes (101 of 159 attempts) for 1,446 yards and 12 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Arias has played well completing 24 of 43 passes for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns and one interception.  Waldrop has another quarterback he can turn to, Jackson Nowlin, like Arias a junior.

Joseph Arias

Waldrop will lean on a running game where sophomore Devon Atkinson has taken over as the go to man. Atkinson started strong with over 200 yards against Athens to start the season. He had big games against Hazel Green, Mountain Brook, and Bob Jones. For the season he has 1,164 yards on 184 carries and 10 touchdowns. He has rushed for over 100 yards in six games.

Atkinson is an effective kickoff returner. While he is still looking for his first touchdown on a kick return he had long returns against Mountain Brook, Huntsville, and Bob Jones.

“We are extremely confident in Joseph playing quarterback,” Atkinson said. “He has a strong arm and his throws are hard and accurate. He can run the ball, he is pretty fast, and he can throw on the run too. We are going to support him and pick him up, he won’t have to win the game all by himself. The whole team will support him. When Heath got hurt we rallied around Joseph. We knew he could lead the team. He’s ready he’s been ready.”

Maceo Booker and Torolla Walker lead the Jets with 31 receptions each. Immanuel Wilder has four touchdown catches and Booker has five.

Bob Jones moved their scheduled Friday night game against Vestavia to Milton Frank Stadium In Huntsville which has artificial turf. Patriot’s running back Miles Strickland likes playing on the turf. He had his best game of the season against Florence on the turf at Braly Stadium.

The move away from the muddy, mushy, soft field at Madison City Schools Stadium should give Bob Jones the advantage. The game will still be played Friday night at 7 pm.