Bob Jones wraps up spring with impressive showing

Bob Jones receiver Ryan Crooks runs in spring game action
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

MADISON- Football fans in Madison didn’t know what to expect at Thursday night’s spring game with Bob Jones hosting Hewitt-Trussville. What they saw was a fast break offense as Bob Jones raced out to a 28-0 first quarter lead.

At the half it was 35-0 and the night was over for both teams starting units.

New Patriot’s quarterback Tyler Whalen looked in mid-season form as he toyed with the Hewitt-Trussville defense. The onslaught started early as Whalen hit Jonathon Rice on a 75-yard catch and run on the team’s first offensive series. Moments later he hit Rice again from nine yards out.

“Tyler, for the first time out played extremely well,” said Bob Jones head coach Kevin Rose. “He made good decisions, he made good throws, and he made a couple of big runs.

Offensively, our skill people are really good and once our offensive line catches up to speed we got a chance to be a really good football team.”

Whalen spread the ball around connecting with six different receivers as the Patriots racked up over 200 yards of offense in the first half.

On the third series, Whalen hit tight end Roderick Randolph for a big gainer across the middle. He then kept a read-option and ran ten yards for a touchdown. Whalen’s third scoring pass went to Hunter Scoggins on a 12-yard slant pass.

“They were letting us throw the inside ball all game,” Whalen said. “The safeties were biting on the short routes and the deep routes were open.”

It was an impressive showing for the rising senior who missed most of last season with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds Whalen has size and deceptive foot speed.

He had a 26 yard touchdown run called back on a penalty but two plays later he hit Rice on his third touchdown catch. Rice, who stands 6-foot-3, used his height advantage to go up and over the Huskies defensive backs.

“I know if I throw it to him he is going up to get it,” Whalen said. “Roderick Randolph also went up to get some balls. We worked on a lot of screens and some short passes. We didn’t run the ball much.”

Tyler Whalen

Leading rusher Jay Rogers only got a couple of carries but took a screen pass for a big gain.

Hewitt-Trussville could get nothing going on offense as the Bob Jones defense turned in several negative yardage plays and allowed only 36 yards of offense and one first down.

“We have a lot of returning players on defense,” Rose said.

One of the top returning players is linebacker Nick Holman. Holman is being heavily recruited and is invited to summer camps at Mississippi State and Memphis.

“Overall, I thought we practiced really well this spring even though we only got five days in,” Rose said.

In the second half the backups played and got some good experience. Hewitt-Trussville won the second half 21-7.

Off-season workouts start June 4 for Bob Jones.