Bob Jones vs. James Clemens 2019 Edition

MADISON- The calendar has elapsed one full year since the last time the football teams from the two Madison high schools have met. That meeting a season ago has not been forgotten by either program and the rivalry will be renewed this Friday at Madison City Schools Stadium.

In 2018, Bob Jones led 20-14 at halftime only to see James Clemens roar back with 22 unanswered points in the second half to win the game 36-20. It was the first win by James Clemens in the history of the rich-tradition contest. It was loss that was hard to swallow for the Patriots and a triumph of unmatched proportion for the Jets.

This Friday- the battle returns.

“For whom ever wins it’s 364 days of non-stop talking about it and if you win everyone is talking about how amazing you are and you’re going to win again next year,” said Caden Rose, starting senior quarterback for Bob Jones. “You have to put it all aside and you got to know that you have to go out and play, go out and continue.”

In last year’s contest, James Clemens used the marvelous talents of quarterback Jamil Muhammad who accounted for five touchdowns including three TDs in the second half. Muhammad graduated leaving this year’s roster of players eager to show last year was just the start of something that could last for a long time.

“There’s pressure already when you face Bob Jones, but nothing more than that,” said James Clemens senior linebacker Keontae Strother. “If our defense stops any opponent, our offense will move the ball and score touchdowns.”

“Obviously people will try and make the game bigger than it really is, but it’s actually just another region game for us and we treat it like any other game,” added Jordan Johnson, senior lineman for the Jets.

For Bob Jones, the loss last season hurt and hurt deep, but this is a new season with new players and new outlooks. The Patriots feel they can play with any team they collide with and the collision expected this Friday night will arrive with a bang.

“We always want to win that game as the intensity is always through the roof,” said Drew Lawson, junior center for Bob Jones. “I played youth football with a few of the players at James Clemens. This game means a lot.”