Strickland’s big game leads Bob Jones over Sparkman

Miles Strickland runs against Sparkman in Bob Jones 47-28 win Friday night (Photo Contributed/Tammie Stephenson)

HARVEST- After missing the opening week, Miles Strickland is making up for lost time. He scored 4 touchdowns and accounted for 243 yards Friday night as Bob Jones rolled past Sparkman 47-28. The win sets up a huge game for control of Class 7, Region 4 against Gadsden City next Friday.

“This was the kind of game I expected,” Bob Jones Coach Kevin Rose said. “I’m glad to get the win but we’re not executing like we should and we’re not making enough plays on either side of the ball.”

The Bob Jones defense came up with 3 Sparkman turnovers that the offense turned into points.

Bob Jones struck quickly after Sparkman quarterback Mason Edwards fumbled on the opening possession and Le’Chauz Langford recovered. Strickland ran 42 yards for a touchdown after making one man miss in the backfield.

Sparkman tied it as Edwards scrambled for 50 yards to the three yard line where Oshay Brown ran it in.

Bob Jones quarterback Brady Polson hit Strickland on a swing pass for 15 yards and a key first down. He then hit a wide open Brad Anderson for 30 yards to the eight yard line where Milkhi Stewart ran it in. Bob Jones led 13-7 after the extra point missed.

Sparkman took their only lead of the game at 14-13 when Edwards hit a six yard touchdown pass.

Polson hit Jonathon Moss to set up Stricklands’s second touchdown run from four yards out for a 19-14 halftime lead.

Bob Jones put the game away with two quick third quarter touchdowns. Polson to Moss covered 18 yards for a score on the first possession. Then an interception and return by Kade Koler set up the next touchdown, a 22 yard-run by Strickland.

Kade Koler runs back an interception against Sparkman

Edwards’ 20-yard pass to Chase Clinard got Sparkman back on the board but Polson answered with a deep pass to Strickland covering 64 yards.

Sparkman quarterback Mason Edwards left the game late third quarter with a concussion. Devon Kimbrough replaced him and hit Clinard for 26 yards and another Sparkman score to close to 40-28.

Bob Jones cornerback Milkyle Stewart got his first interception of the season early fourth quarter.

Brad Anderson closed the scoring with a 3 yard run after a long time consuming drive.

“We came out the second half and closed them out and that was an improvement,” Rose said. “Defensively, they had a couple of big plays. We’re not doing a good job getting off the field on third and fourth down and we have make those plays.”

Polson had his best game this season going 11 for 16 passing for 218 yards.

“We have a good balance of run and pass right now and it makes for a good football team,” Polson said. “Miles is a great athlete, I just get him the ball. We’ve got a number of guys making plays for us.”

Polson did not play against Gadsden City last year’s 44-23 loss.

“I saw how good they were last year so we will be ready next week.”

Bob Jones is calling the game against Gadsden City next Friday night at MCSS “paint the town red night.”