Hess comes up big for Bob Jones in 7 on 7 tournament win

Ryan Crooks makes a catch against Madison Academy
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

MADISON- One of the smallest players on the field turned out to be the difference on Thursday as Bob Jones came out of the loser’s bracket and defeated Madison Academy twice to claim first place in the North Alabama Elite 7 on 7 tournament.

Christian Hess made the most of his opportunity to play with the Bob Jones 1 team as he beat out quarterbacks and receivers to claim the Most Valuable Player Award. The strong showing is what Hess needed as he pushes for more playing time in the fall.

“I think I’m a good press cover corner,” Hess said. “I think of myself as a leader on this team but I just want to do my part on the defense.”

In an elimination game, the Patriot defense held Madison Academy out of the end zone for all five possessions. Hess somehow managed to cover Kerrion Johnson, one of the top players in the state, plus made one of his two interceptions in the game. He also had an interception in the championship game which Bob Jones won 22-15.

“I thought Christian did a great job at corner defending against Kerrion,” said Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose who selected the tournament MVP. “They kept testing him and he kept answering the bell. He was a huge factor in us winning by defending this side of the field.”

Rose said that any number of players could have been selected MVP.

“Jonathon Rice, Ryan Crooks, Nick Holman were all deserving but Christian is a guy who didn’t play a ton last year and he really stepped up and to defend Kerrion Johnson the way he did in some big situations was huge. Kerrion Johnson is an SEC-caliber athlete”

Bob Jones went 5-1 on day two and had to win four straight games without a break to claim the championship.  Bob Jones 1 and Madison Academy both entered the day undefeated. Academy posted a 26-18 win to send Bob Jones 1 to the loser’s bracket.

Madison Academy jumped out to an early lead in the championship game. But Bob Jones grabbed the momentum with a touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Whalen to Jonathon Rice who took a big hit from Johnson who was playing both ways. The Patriots defense then held on downs at the two-yard line and Whalen closed strong with touchdown passes to Brandon Richardson and another to Rice.

Bob Jones players Tyler Whalen (l) and Christian Hess (r)
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

“It was tons of work and our team got tired at the end but good conditioning kept us in it. Mental toughness was the difference,” said Whalen. “We didn’t want that loss but we kept our heads up and beat Austin and came back strong against Madison Academy.”

The tournament is a precursor to fall practice as coaches install the passing game. Players also get game management experience with play clocks and play calling with signals from the coaches on the sideline.

The win meant the title returns to Bob Jones after Madison Academy won last year.

Rose said a key to winning was that many of Madison Academy’s players played both ways while Bob Jones used groupings of players who played only defense and offense.

Rose said another key to victory was the play of his quarterback.

“I thought Tyler had a good tournament. He threw the ball extremely well and made big plays. The same playmakers you see out here are the same ones you will see on Friday nights this fall.”

Rose will now lead Bob Jones to their first appearance in the Music City Classic 7 on 7 Passing Tournament at Vanderbilt University. There they will face top high school teams from around the southeast.

“Every team we play will be really athletic and well coached and that’s the kind of tournament you want to play in to bring out the best in our athletes and our team.”