Field goal decides it, Bob Jones rallies in second half for win

quarterback Jeremy Frye led the comeback for Bob Jones
(PHOTO CONTRIBUTED/CINDY HESS)

MADISON- Halloween night proved to be a treat for Bob Jones as the Patriots closed out the regular season with a win on a windy and rainy Thursday at Madison City Schools Stadium. The Patriots were playing for pride as they stunned undefeated Muscle Shoals ending the Trojans 24-game regular season winning streak by a final of 24-23. 

Both teams enter the playoffs next week as region champions, Bob Jones hosts Hewitt-Trussville. Last season Muscle Shoals dominated Bob Jones in a 38-6 loss. The win closes the regular season for Bob Jones at 9-1 matching 2011 for best regular season record.

“It shows what kind of football team we are and what kind of senior leadership we have,” said Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose, a graduate of Muscle Shoals High School. “To beat Muscle Shoals with their winning streak shows we have the capability to beat anybody we play.

We have been working all year to put ourselves in just this position going into the playoffs.”

Early on it looked like a repeat of last year as Muscle Shoals jumped out to a quick 16-0 lead in the first quarter.

Roger Jackson broke a 52-yard touchdown run up the middle on Muscle Shoals first play from scrimmage. The Trojans drove deep into Patriot territory on three drives but had to settle for Rhett Morrison field goals.

Bob Jones struggled on offense and gained less than 50 yards at halftime while Muscle Shoals had over 150 yards of offense.

Despite being down 16-0 and three starters gone with injuries at halftime, Rose said he “ thought we still had a great chance to win. I told the guys we could score twice and go for two and be tied.”

In the third quarter with the wind at their backs, Jeremy Frye moved the offense 33 yards and scored on a two yard touchdown pass to Roderick Randolph. Frye and Randolph also connected on the two point conversion.

Bob Jones was back on the scoreboard after a wind aided short punt set the Patriots up at the Trojan 46-yard line. A 23-yard Miles Strickland run and a pass to Jonathan Rice to the one yard line set a one yard touchdown dive by Ryan Crooks. A missed two point conversion left the score at 16-14.

Muscle Shoals scored on a 39-yard burst by Kavonte McDonald forcing Bob Jones to drive against the wind.

Jeremy Frye showed why he has assumed the quarterback position as he hit Rice on a 18 yard touchdown pass on fourth and 14 into the wind. The extra point made it 23-21.

After a defensive stand, Frye led a two minute drill offense and with time ticking down, Bob Jones rushed the field goal team on the field and Matt Trulock kicked a 21-yard field goal for the dramatic win as time expired.

Frye finished 15 of 24 passing for 189 yards with one touchdown. Bob Jones managed only 76 yards rushing. Muscle Shoals had 239 yards rushing.

Frye sacked hard in early game action
(CONTRIBUTED)

The players drew inspiration from the passing of former teammate Dez Dennis who died in a car crash this week and many attended his funeral on Wednesday.

“We came off a tough loss and we did this for Dez, that was in our heart,” Frye said.

Several starters went down with injuries for Bob Jones.

“We got a bunch of people hurt tonight so we are going to get some twos ready and our two’s went in tonight and our performance didn’t fall off a bit. I am really proud of those guys,” Rose said.

Among starters injured was defensive lineman Kenneth Turney who went down early after a big hit. He was later up walking around but did not return. Then linebacker Nick Holman went down with a left knee injury that looked serious. He did not return but was later walking the sidelines in street clothes. Running back Jay Rogers re-aggravated a shoulder injury.

“Hopefully they will be ready to go next week but if not the next man up will have to carry the load,” Rose said.