Patriots fall short on second half comeback

MADISON – A pick six, scoop-and-score, kickoff return for a touchdown, a blocked extra point, a healthy dose of penalties and a whistled dead game-tying field goal followed by a goal line stop on the final play.

All those things unfolded Friday night at Madison City Stadium as Gadsden City held off 10th-ranked Bob Jones for a 27-24 non-region win.

What the game lacked in artistry was made up for by sheer drama, big plays and the kind of physical play that at times is lacking in a targeting-happy environment. The Patriots fell into a 20-9 halftime hole but found a spark in the final two quarters that had been missing.

Coming off a 24-6 Class 7A, Region 4 loss at Florence, Bob Jones (4-2 overall, 2-1 region) was stopped on the game’s final play from the 1-yard line, but regained confidence going into a region clash with archrival Sparkman (2-4) this week.

The Titans (3-2, 2-0) have a firm grip on Madison County opponents. Gadsden City is coming off 6A, Region 8 wins over Buckhorn and Hazel Green and heads back into region action against Lee this week.

Bob Jones and Sparkman will put matching 2-1 region records on the line Friday.

Against Gadsden City, the Patriots took a 3-0 lead just before the first quarter ended on a 33-yarder by Nolan Wigham.

Bob Jones’ next two possessions turned into an interception for a touchdown and a drop resulted in a fumble return for a touchdown to make it 14-3.

The Patriots’ BJ Carter then returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown, the extra point was blocked and the Titans led 14-9.

Gadsden City scored again before the half, but a 2-point attempt failed, and it was 20-9 at halftime.

The hard hitting picked up in the third quarter, which saw a Gadsden City player ejected.

Rhys Dorsey scored on a 2-yard early in the fourth quarter. Trailing 27-23, quarterback Gakoby Gill hit Carter over the top for a 34-yard completion to the 2-yard line. It appeared Carter fell back into the end zone, but he stepped out of bounds Two plays later Wigham drilled a field goal, but the play was blown dead before the kick when the Titans jumped offside. With the ball moved up to the 1, Bob Jones went for the win, but a wildcat play was snuffed as the clock ran out.