James Clemens rises to the occasion for program’s first win over Bob Jones
MADISON- The streak is over. James Clemens run game and defense made sure there would be no comeback for Bob Jones as the Jets claimed their first win ever in the series 36-20 Friday night before over 8,000 fans at Madison City Schools Stadium.
Quarterback Jamil Muhammad scored four rushing touchdowns as he played the best game of his career on the biggest stage. The Jets ran 53 running plays at Bob Jones gaining 362 yards and eventually the Patriots wore down as James Clemens scored 22 unanswered points and dominated the second half.
With the Jets offensive line of Jordan Johnson, Cameron Stevens, Dakota Bell, Ryan Keepers, and Zach Taylor opening holes, James Clemens Head Coach Wade Waldrop kept the pressure on by going for it on fourth down five times in the second half and converting four of them.
“It’s a big win, very big. Should have happened before now.” Waldrop said after his first win over Bob Jones. “I’m happy for our students, our fans, and our players. These players have worked hard to get this win for our side of town, it’s important for our program. It makes the rivalry better too.”
Waldrop got a huge effort from the 21 seniors who had never beaten Bob Jones.
“Jamil played well. He did everything we needed him to do. We knew we had some things in the run game. He ran hard and we think he can do a better job of it so we have to get better.
We were controlling the line of scrimmage and as long as we had the ball the clock is moving and just keep getting first downs.” Waldrop said of the last drive when the Jets converted three fourth downs and drove to the Bob Jones 8-yard line while leading by 16 points.
Dillon Blackburn gashed the Bob Jones defense for 52 yards in the first half and 68 yards on 11 carries in the second half.
“He is a workhorse and he does great things for us, I’m proud of him,” Waldrop said.
James Clemens struck first when Austin McGhee took a pass from Muhammad and raced 63 yards through a stunned Patriots defense less than two minutes into the game.
Bob Jones struck back on a Caden Rose to Donavan Brown 36-yard pass then Khalil Griffin went 25 yards for a touchdown. A bad snap forced the extra point to be no good and James Clemens led 7-6. Rose scored again on a 30-yard scamper to build the lead to 12-7.
In the second quarter, Muhammad found Trevor Hunsicker on a 25-yard pass and then scored on the next play. With the Jets on the move again Dylan Blackburn fumbled. The Jets defense mounted a stand as Zach Hopkins had a tackle for loss. But another fumble by the Jets directly led to a Bob Jones touchdown to end the half 20-14.
With a six-point halftime lead Bob Jones appeared to be in good shape but there was trouble looming. The Patriots top defensive lineman Chris Cobb left the game in the second quarter and did not return due to injury. Bob Jones offense had ground to a halt in the second quarter with two three and outs.
Running mostly between the tackles, Muhammad and Blackburn gained valuable yards and moved the chains. Midway through the third quarter Muhammad gave the Jets the lead for good on an eight-yard touchdown run and Daevion Davis ran in a two-point conversion. Muhammad padded the lead with a one-yard touchdown run on fourth and one to end the third quarter.
Muhammad scored his final touchdown on a 72-yard drive in the fourth quarter and kicker Jesse Rowe scored the Jets final point.
Sophomore Collin Malone came off the bench to gain 92 yards on 10 carries for the Jets.
Muhammad rushed 24 times for 137 yards. Blackburn was equally effective rushing 19 times for 120 yards.
The win was especially satisfying for senior Daevion Davis who has played since his freshman year and lost three times to Bob Jones.
“It’s tough taking losses. I’m a competitor so this win is the best feeling I’ve ever had. This right here will stick with you forever. This is for all the players who came before us. And it’s for us because we can build on this win,” said Davis who wore the headband given to him by former teammate Monty Rice now at Georgia.
