Welcome home: BJHS wins in OT

Moss appears to have his third touchdown reception of the game, but the play was ruled incomplete.

History has a way of repeating itself.

Well, almost.

The last time the Bob Jones Patriots played in overtime, it was 2008 at Madison City Schools Stadium, and the Huntsville Panthers came out on the winning end.

Fast forward two years, and the same thing almost happened Oct. 1, as the Panthers scored with less than a minute remaining and tacked on the two-point conversion to send the game into overtime.

However, the Patriots would not back down this go around, scoring on the opening drive of overtime and then securing a fumble on Huntsville possession to take the 38-31 victory.

“It’s a huge region win,” Bob Jones head coach Kevin Rose said. “We found a way to win.”

The Patriots led 31-17 with less than 6 minutes remaining in the game, but Huntsville cut the lead on a 3-yard touchdown run by Azaria Green.

The extra point was blocked, leaving the score 31-23.

The Panthers forced the Patriots to punt on the ensuing possession, but the Patriots got the ball right back when Huntsville quarterback William Nunn was hit as he three and the ball landed right in the arms of linebacker Reggie Ragland.

However, the Patriots next drive stalled at midfield and the Panthers stopped Bob Jones on fourth down.

The Panthers forced overtime when Nunn connected with Kyron Clay, who connected with Nathan Vardaman for the score, and then Clay caught the two-point conversion pass from Nunn.

In overtime, the Patriots were pushed back by a holding penalty, but quarterback Zach Freeman was not deterred and found Collins Moore in the corner of the end zone to recapture the lead.

Nunn’s toss to Green on the Panthers next possession fell to the turf, and the Patriots recovered to seal the win.

Offensively for the Patriots (5-1, 4-0), Trai Ragland threw for a 40-yard touchdown pass to Jeffrey Moss, while also running for a 16-yard score.

Moss also made a one-handed 26-yard touchdown grab in third quarter, and appeared to have another touchdown catch in the quarter, but it was ruled incomplete.

“We try to out the best 11 on the field, and when Zach (Freeman) is playing quarterback, we need Moss out there,” Rose said. “He played awesome tonight.”

Xavier Gaddy scored on a 10-yard run in the third quarter and Braden Hager nailed a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter to account for the Patriots’ points.

Bob Jones will return to Class 6A, Region 8 action as they host Buckhorn Oct. 8.