James Clemens claims second in region, will host playoff game
Bradley Belt runs against Austin (Photo Contributed/ Chris Shimek)
DECATUR- With playoff positioning on the line, James Clemens posted a 35-14 non-region win over Austin to finish their regular season 7-3. The win means the Jets will host Spain Park next Friday at MCSS.
The Jets offense got on the board in the first half with touchdown runs by Austin McGhee both coming on fourth down. The first a 20-yard run. McGhee finished with 136 yards rushing. Bradley Belt got in on the scoring with a 10 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter after Austin had closed to 21-14.
Jet’s linebacker Zach Hopkins took a fake punt and ran for a key first down in the fourth quarter to keep a drive alive.
Linebacker Chris Sanders picked off a an Austin pass late in the game weaved his way through the tacklers for a 70-yard touchdown pick six.
“They ran the ball good all night,”James Clemens coach Wade Waldrop said after the game. “Our offensive line did a good job. In the second half we had some dumb penalties. There’s no excuse for that, if we do it next week we will go home.”
I’m proud of our defense for sticking one in late, it’s another non-offensive touchdown and they take a lot of pride in that. I’m glad we will be at home that is always good.”
The interception return was the ninth non-offensive touchdown of the season.
Among the stars on defense was Labryan Ray who had a sack for minus 15 yards on Austin’s final series.
James Clemens now gets a rematch with the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last year in a close 13-10 loss. Spain Park finished the season at 8-2 with an impressive 52-42 win over Minor.
Bob Jones meanwhile falls to fourth in the Class 7A, Region 4 and will travel to Hoover next Friday for a first round playoff game. Bob Jones has never beaten Hoover. Since Kevin Rose took over in 2009 Bob Jones is 0-4 against Hoover.
Bob Jones and Hoover last played in 2011 when Hoover won 41-13 in the regular season and 26-17 in a playoff game.
