Bob Jones boys fall 3-0 to Oak Mountain

Decelle Taylor for Bob Jones (in blue) faces up with Oak Mountain’s Robert Ratliff at the state semifinals May 8. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

HUNTSVILLE – It was, for the Bob Jones Patriots, a game starkly contrasting the regular season game against Oak Mountain, as the Patriots couldn’t get anything going on offense against the Eagles at John Hunt Park in nearby Huntsville.

Robert Ratliff had the Eagles’ first two goals against Bob Jones, with the first coming at the 17:45 mark in the first half. Ratliff scored again after 10 minutes passed in the second half.

Caleb Van Geffen scored the last goal of the game with 19 minutes left in the game to end the game at 3-0.

“They just had too strong of a defense, and we couldn’t break the defense down,” Bob Jones head coach Uwe Spiller said. “They were quick going forward, counter-attacking us.”

Oak Mountain didn’t often let the ball fall behind midfield, leaving few chances for striker Eduvie Ikoba and others to net a goal. Ikoba had a shot attempt with 7:47 left that traveled just right of the goal, which was Bob Jones’ best attempt at scoring.

“First of all, I’m very proud of my team,” Spiller said. “Nobody even expected us to be here. The way they carried themselves throughout this season, [I have] nothing but praise for these boys.”

The Patriots and Eagles both had six shots in the game, and both had four shots-on-goal. Oak Mountain goalie had four saves, while Bob Jones goalkeeper Quentin Boric had one.

Bob Jones finishes the season 20-4-2, while sitting at No 1 in the state for much of the season and winning its Area and Region. The team is graduating nine seniors, with Boric going to play at Tennessee Wesleyan College and Ikoba continuing his career at Dartmouth College.

“It’s going to be a rebuilding process next year, but the returning players had a lot of impact this season, so we’re going to be okay,” Spiller said.