Bob Jones poised to move up to second in 6A rankings
MADISON- The 7-0 Bob Jones football team is getting plenty of statewide recognition this season. On Tuesday, the weekly ASWA polls will be released and Bob Jones may well rise to second in 6A which would be their highest ranking ever.
They began the season unranked and moved into the top 10 after a 17-13 win over Florence which was ranked #7 at the time.
After a win over Huntsville in week 5 the Patriots jumped to #4.
Last Friday night, the second and third ranked teams lost. Number 2 Clay-Chalkville (6-1) lost to GadsdenCity, 24-21 and number 3 Opelika (6-1) lost to No. 5 Smiths Station.
Top ranked Hoover survived a scare from Hillcrest and won 28-3. The Buccaneers though were down to their third string quarterback, a sophomore, after injuries to their top two signal callers.
The 2010 Bob Jones team reached #3 in week 9. The 2011 team reached #4 in week 9 with a 9-0 record. Both teams eventually lost to Hoover in the playoffs.
Bob Jones is coming off a 51-16 win over Sparkman and faces a 5-2 Buckhorn team that has surprised some experts.
Buckhorn is coming off two straight come-from-behind region wins over Sparkman and Decatur. The Bucks feature dual threat running backs in Khari Blasingame and William Ignont.
Bob Jones players say they are ready to play in some meaningful games with playoff implications.
“We’re ready for some stiff competition. Situations like you see in the playoffs where games are real tight not out of hand, where you got to fight to win that’s what I like most,” said defensive lineman Julian Lewis.
“It feels great to be playing for a region championship,” defensive tackle Brandon Davis said. “We will have to come out disciplined and ready to play.”
Meanwhile the post-season honors are starting to roll in.
Sunday, two Bob Jones defensive players were named to the 2013 Alabama High School All-Star Football Team.
Nick Holman and Dylan Haraway will play for the Alabama squad to take on Mississippi in the 27th annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game Dec. 14 at the Crampton Bowl in Montgomery.
The Alabama squad will be coached by former Alabama linebacker and current Central-Phenix City coach Woodrow Lowe.
The state’s top recruit, Marlon Humphrey, will play as will Racean Thomas of Oxford an Auburn commitment. Three Alabama committed players will play and four Auburn committed players.
Linebacker Nick Holman is committed to South Florida.