In the end, disappointment for Bob Jones

Jonathon Moss runs after taking a pass in the second half (Contributed/ Tammie Stephenson)

HUNTSVILLE- Bob Jones’ season came to a sudden end Friday night as their playoff nemesis Vestavia Hills won 28-17.

It is the second straight year that Bob Jones lost a home game in the first round of the playoffs. Vestavia Hills also ended the Patriot’s season in 2013. It is the fifth straight season Bob Jones has lost a playoff game at home.

The game was moved to Milton Frank Stadium because of muddy field conditions at MCSS but weather still played a part.

The heavy rain downpour that started at kickoff and lasted the first half didn’t faze Vestavia Hills. The Rebels jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead. Quarterback Brett Jones completed a 73-yard pass play then Walker Minor ran 6 yards for the touchdown.

Jones put Vestavia up 14-0 on a 6 yard quarterback draw that scored easily.

The Bob Jones offense struggled to get anything going. Quarterback Brady Polson completed one pass in the first half. He threw a costly interception that Vestavia turned into seven points. Nolan Turner picked off the pass, returned it to the 20-yard line, then scored himself on a 5-yard pass from Jones.

Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose said the rain played a part in the outcome.

“It benefited their offense because they are a downhill run offense. That’s part of the game. You’ve got to deal with the elements and they did a better job than we did.”

After a scoreless third quarter Bob Jones finally got on the board with a 28-yard field goal by Matthew Stephenson. Vestavia scored a clinching touchdown as Walker Minor ran a sweep 13 yards to make it 28-3.

Minor had 133 yards rushing on 27 carries.

Two fumbles by Vestavia allowed Bob Jones to score two late touchdowns but the deficit was too much to overcome and the Patriots season ended on a two game losing streak at 9-2.

“We got behind three scores right out of the gate and just dug too big a hole for ourselves. You can’t do that against Vestavia Hills. They deserved it they whipped us they were the better football team tonight,” Rose said.

The loss was especially painful for Patriot fans because a win would have set up a highly anticipated Hoover at Bob Jones game. Instead Vestavia will travel to Hoover next week.