Alford delivers to secure playoff spot for Bob Jones

MADISON- In the biggest game of the season, Bob Jones Head Coach Kevin Rose turned to a sophomore making his first start in a varsity football game and Slate Alford came through as the Patriots defeated Huntsville 21-3 to secure a playoff spot and the team’s tenth straight winning season under Rose.

Alford was unfazed by the wet conditions and rain during the game. The sophomore looked like he had been doing it all season instead of watching from the sidelines.

Bob Jones opened the game with a touchdown drive highlighted by Alford to Donavan Brown for 63 yards.

The Patriots found the end zone again as Alford went deep hitting Brown in stride on a 27-yard touchdown pass. For the game Alford completed six passes for 140 yards.

“It just shows you got to be prepared to play at all times whether you’re the backup quarterback or backup safety,” Rose said.  “I’m proud of this team to get in the playoffs with all the things we have had to overcome this season.”

Bob Jones turned to the running game and Jacob Guyton and Khalil Griffin combined to rush for over 100 yards to control the clock.

On defense Caden Rose again had an interception and a long return to boot. The defense got big games from Chris Cobb, Jacobye Green, Artavian Toney, and Tyler Brown.

“Our defense made stop after stop and after we got ahead we were very conservative and we let our defense win the football game. This will give Slate some confidence and the guys will have confidence in him after winning a big football game.”

Rose plans an open date in week 10 each season and this year it is especially welcome.

“We get an extra week of scouting and film and anybody that is banged up they can have time to recover.”

Bob Jones will travel to Hoover on Nov. 9 for the first-round playoff game. Two years ago Hoover won 31-10 also in a first round playoff game. Last year Bob Jones dropped a one-point loss to Mountain Brook to open the playoffs. The Patriots last won a playoff game in 2013.