Bob Jones drops Hatchett on Sparkman
Isaiah Hatchett moved from linebacker to running back this week(photo contributed/Tammie Stephenson)
HARVEST- Bob Jones made a statement in the first half but it was their success in the fourth quarter that left an impression on several thousand fans Friday night as the Patriots rolled to a 48-26 victory over previously undefeated Sparkman.
“Our guys always compete especially in the biggest games,” said Bob Jones Coach Kevin Rose. “Sparkman had an outstanding football team. Their quarterback and their skill guys were very good and they had a good plan. I was proud of the way our guys responded.”
Sparkman struck first. A 21 yard touchdown pass from Devin Kimbrough to Garrett Bodine capped a crisp 65 yard drive after the Senators defense stopped Bob Jones on downs.
Brady Polson began what would be another prolific passing game with a 21-yard pass to Milkhi Stewart to set up a three yard touchdown run by Brad Anderson.
Moments later Jay Hawthorne blocked a Sparkman punt, picked up the ball, and ran 12 yards into the end zone.
Bob Jones defense struck again as Kade Koler intercepted a Kimbrough pass. Milkyle Stewart also picked off Kimbrough and the Patriot offense capitalized with a 50 yard pass from Polson to Demontrez Brown. Isaiah Hatchett gained 13 yards to the 6 and scored on the next play to make it 20-6 after Ian Kurowsky’s extra point was no good.
Hatchett (6-foot, 205 pounds, Jr.) was playing running back for the first time.
“We are trying to find a place he can help the team,” Rose said. “We got him some reps last week and he gave us a lift tonight. He played extremely well for the first time out. He has wanted to play running back. We thought he was a defensive player just goes to show we aren’t always right but he was in the right spot tonight.”
Rose said that the plan was to run the football more than last week. Hatchett gained 65 yards on 9 carries.
Polson found Demontrez Brown for a touchdown to make it 27-13 in the second quarter but Hawthorne wasn’t through. He led a host of defenders to block a second punt.
“I felt we could block a punt, I didn’t envision us blocking two,” Rose said. “Anytime you have a blocked punt it changes momentum especially to have two in one half. Jay has had a great first half of the season.”
Stewart caught his second touchdown pass from the eight yard line to make it 34-13 at the half.
Sparkman grabbed momentum in the third quarter when Hunter Gibson ripped a 25-yard touchdown run.
Bob Jones got a sack by Ashton Smith to stop a Sparkman drive in the fourth quarter and the offense finished strong with Hatchett scoring on a nine yard run and Jalen Williams adding a late touchdown. Polson completed 11 of 19 passes for 218 yards.
“I felt like we could run the football and control the clock,” Rose said. “We wanted to keep #3 off the field and take 8 to 10 plays to score. We were more physical than they were at the point of attack.”
Bob Jones goes to 3-1, 2-0 in region play. Sparkman goes to 2-1, 1-1 in region play.
