Rose pleased with Bob Jones’ finish at 7-on-7 Competition
It may have been the only time Bob Jones faced Madison Academy in football with both teams unbeaten.
That was the situation last Friday afternoon at the North Alabama Elite 7-on-7 Competition. In a winner’s bracket quarterfinal game between the two cross town schools, the Bob Jones defense had Madison Academy stopped just short of the goal line with 16 second left. But a pass interference penalty flew in from the side to extend the game and the Mustangs scored a touchdown to win 23-21 and stay unbeaten and thus became the only team to make it all the way through the winner’s bracket.
Bob Jones then defeated the team many thought would win the tournament, SpainPark, to claim a spot in the final.
But three interceptions by Madison Academy was too much to overcome and the Patriots ran out of gas losing 25-20. The last interception by Chandler Trach was in the closing seconds as Trey Bates heaved a pass over 50 yards that was just underthrown.
Bob Jones A team quarterbacked by Bates entered the second day of competition seeded #1 based on a 5-1 record the first day. Tough wins over Hazel Green and Madison County put the Patriots in the quarterfinal against Madison Academy who had pulled off surprise wins against two 6A teams, Spain Park and Austin.
Despite coming in second Bob Jones head coach Kevin Rose was encouraged by the competitiveness of his team and execution by the players.
“I was proud of our guys, I think we got a lot accomplished,” Rose said after the accepting the second place trophy.
“I think we played extremely well. You look at the caliber of players we lost (to graduation) and to come in here and win every game we played except for Madison Academy, which was the champion and well deserved champion, I was pleased. I think we’ve got good momentum going into the July 4th break. We’re going to keep working trying to get better.”
At quarterback, Trey Bates established himself as the frontrunner among the three new signal callers who played on the two Bob Jones teams entered. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Bates, a rising senior, has the size coaches look for in a passing quarterback. He is also a good fit for Bob Jones spread offense.
Tyler Whalen and Seth Parker split time on the Bob Jones B team. Among their best games was a 30-11 win over Russellville on the first day.
“I thought all three of our quarterbacks played well,” Rose said. “We hit a lot of big throws in big situations and like any other position we just have to keep working and eliminate the few mistakes we made.”
Bates said that his teammates helped him have the success at the tournament despite the team missing receiver Ben Washington, a transfer who is expected to play a significant role in the offense this year.
“He will be a great help to our team but we have plenty of other great athletes around him,” Bates said. “I knew we could come out here and compete with the big boys, all the 6A schools.”
Among the receivers Bates found for scores were the new tight end Roderick Randolph and receiver Trey Bankhead.
The quarterback and receivers will continue to work on timing throughout the summer until practice starts in August.
“We practice every morning, practice 7-on-7 and then we come in again later on our own to get better on routes and timing,” Bates said.
Rose will evaluate all the players and announce to the team next week who will make the trip to the Southeastern Elite 7-on-7 Competition in Dalton, Georgia on July 12 and 13.
One player sure to make that trip is Kevin Wright who was named MVP of the 7-on-7 Competition. Wright caught touchdown passes in every game he played and his touchdown and extra point against Madison Academywas almost enough to win the game.
“I thought Kevin Wright was as good a player as I saw in the tournament,” Rose said. “Hopefully this (his play in the tournament) will springboard him into a great senior year.”
Wright will be counted on heavily as a senior leader on this year’s team.
“Since it is my senior year I’m just giving it my all every single play,” Wright said during a break in the action. “In my mind this is the start of the football season and I’m just trying to take full advantage of every play and go at it as hard as I can.”
