The Madison Bowl should live up to all the hype

MADISON- It is the game that is talked about all year long. Rivalry week comes to North Alabama this week and none are bigger than Bob Jones vs James Clemens. The teams have met three times with Bob Jones winning all the games, last year it was 28-21. The game will be broadcast on WVNN 92.5.

The storylines are numerous. Both teams are undefeated. Bob Jones comes in ranked #4 in 7A and James Clemens is #7.

James Clemens can’t repeat last year’s mistakes. Among them were allowing a kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kick and two turnovers inside their own five yard line.

Bob Jones must improve kickoff coverage from last week against Decatur. James Clemens features Devon Atkinson who had a 70 yard return last year against Bob Jones.

Maceo Booker is off to a fast start this season with 120 yards and one touchdown against Athens in limited action. Last year he ran for 165 yards against Bob Jones. He was later named first team All-State with over 1,600 yards rushing. He caught 22 passes for 200 yards.

Quarterback Heath Burchfield has been nearly flawless in two opening wins over East Limestone and Athens. He threw two touchdown passes against Athens.

Bob Jones quarterback Brady Polson saw his first varsity game action in last year’s game.

“It’s extremely important that he played in this game last year,” Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose said. “He will be very comfortable. He needs to play the way he has played the first two weeks. He’s playing well, throwing the ball on time, and making good decisions.”

Bob Jones gets Miles Strickland back. Last week Brad Anderson picked up the slack and had 210 yards rushing and receiving.

Rose said getting Strickland back is very important. “Miles is capable of going the distance in one snap. It makes them run to him defensively which helps set up other players.”

Defensively, James Clemens counters with defensive end LaBryan Ray. Ray has about a dozen offers from colleges. He is one of the top players in the state. The Jets added Michael Sharpley at linebacker. He transferred from Decatur where he was a starter on defense. Sharpley wears #98.

Game week is usually full of distractions such as blood drives, restaurant fund-raisers, and theme days.  Game day will feature pep rallies.

Bob Jones Coach Kevin Rose said that he tries to set the example by staying on an even keel.

“All that jumping around and screaming doesn’t have anything to do with winning a football game. We’re going to go over there in a business-like fashion on a business trip. We’re going to win a football game. It’s a big game but so is the next week against Sparkman. We don’t change our approach at all.”

This year, led by Rose and James Clemens coach Wade Waldrop and Superintendent Dee Fowler, seniors from both teams visited a local hospital to cheer up teenage patients.

School officials are estimating the crowd could be 10,000 and fans are encouraged to go by each school to purchase their tickets in advance.

“We’ve had some big games with Hoover and Decatur but never two top 10 teams this early in the season with good weather,” Rose said.