Bob Jones draws Hoover in first-round home game
GADSDEN – The Bob Jones football team headed south to Etowah County looking to secure the third seed in Class 6A, Region 4 for the upcoming state playoffs.
The Patriots took care of business behind what is believed to be a school record 378 rushing yards from senior running back Jaden Rice, pulling away from Gadsden City in the second half for a 48-24 win at Titan Stadium.
Bob Jones (5-4 overall 4-3 in the region) visits Austin Thursday night in a regular season finale, then hosts Hoover (4-6) in the first round. The Buccaneers are idle this week. Gadsden City (5-5, 3-4) is also idle this week, then plays Hewitt-Trussville in the first round.
Rice had 22 carries and wasn’t cheated on four touchdown runs, taking it to the house on runs of 73, 72, 51 and 58 yards. He wasted little time starting his romp through the Titans, scoring the 73-yarder in the first minute of the game.
“We ran the ball very, very well,’’ Bob Jones head coach Seth Parker said. “Jaden Rice was unbelievable for us, unbelievable.’’
College scouts have been slow to identify Rice as a target, partly because he’s somewhat undersized at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds. Also, until this season, that is Parker’s first, he was in a pass-first offense.
Rice has rushed for 1,513 yards on 180 attempts with 21 TDs this season Against Gadsden City, sophomore quarterback Alex Randolph completed 7-of-13 passes for 152 yards with two TDs and a rating of 135.3.
“(Senior) Kam Stringer, our defensive end, was unreal all night,’’ Parker said. “Alex Randolph played phenomenal, pretty much flawless.’’
Junior Rocky Ray hit all six extra point attempts and kicked a field goal.
“It was a full team effort,” Parker said. “Everybody played great.’’
The Patriots led at the quarter breaks 10-0, 20-10 and 41-17.
After the trip to Austin, Hoover comes to Madison with its 13 state championships in tow.
“I’m excited about it,” Parker said. “Obviously, the elephant in the room is everybody up here hasn’t won a playoff game in a while, but I’m excited about the opportunity.’’
The Patriots last won a playoff game in 2013, have dropped 10 straight and own a 10-31 overall postseason record.
Other local and neighboring Region 4 teams that are in the 2026 playoffs haven’t fared much better.
James Clemens (3-10 overall) last won a playoff game in 2019; Sparkman (1-12) got its lone victory in 2006; Huntsville (11-26) last saw postseason success in 2012; Buckhorn (6-18) hasn’t won since advancing to the state title game in 2005.
Parker is undaunted. “Our place I’m sure will be popping, it’ll be exciting,’’ he said. “I’m looking forward to it.’’
