Bob Jones beats Decatur, 17-3.

BY KENNETH HARRIS / SPECIAL TO THE RECORD

The Bob Jones Patriots pulled out a nail biter against the Decatur Red Raiders Friday 17-3, as both teams played great defense till the end.

The Patriots came in already guaranteed to play in the State Playoffs after a blowout win last week against struggling rival Sparkman High School. Decatur, still looking maybe to get into the post season, gave the Patriots a run for their money.

The first quarter was not the typical Bob Jones quarter as their offense struggled to move the ball against a determine Decatur defense.

The Patriots tried to stop a sack on quarterback Jeffrey Moss, but Decatur stopped it and Bob Jones was forced to punt the ball.

In the second, Decatur wanted to strike first, but Bob Jones had other plans as they stopped Decatur on their first drive of the quarter.

The first points of the game were finally scored when Decatur, with some quarterback sneaks and big runs from their running backs, the Red Raiders kicked a field goal, putting them up for the first time 3-0

With the Raiders up 3-0, the Patriots were determined to score, but that didn’t happen as Decatur dialed the right blitz packages to stop the offense.

But the defense came up with a huge stop and sent the offense back out and with a little hope left the patriots were able to kick a field goal tying it up 3-3 at the half

Bob Jones came out ready to play as they stop Decatur and gave the ball back to their motivated offense. With that there first play they gave it to Nick Beavers and he ran an 85 yard touchdown putting the patriots up 10-3.

The Patriot’s defense came out with a purpose stopping Decatur once again, but Decatur’s defense came out and shut down the patriot’s rejuvenated offence.

The fourth quarter was similar to the first, in that both defenses shut down each other’s offenses four minutes in the game.

Reggie Ragland was called out for bad sportsmanship, which resulted in 30-yards for Decatur, but the Raiders couldn’t take advantage of that.

Ragland made a huge sack and Rishad Goode scooped up the ball and scored putting the patriots up 17-3.

The Raiders tried to push the ball down the field one more time but the ball was intercepted by Parris Erskine ending the game 17-3.