MADISON- The 2022 Bob Jones football team has something to prove in what has been deemed the International Year of Glass. Showing complete transparency with nothing to hide, the Patriots carry a team motto of “Time is Now.”

“We feel we have been building this program the last two years and gotten over the hump and look forward to having a very successful season and compete in every game,” said Kelvis White head coach of Bob Jones.

In his third campaign as head Patriot, White will bring to the field a team consisting of 32 seniors, 25 juniors, 30 sophomores and two freshmen. More importantly, the squad will have lots of experience returning from the team that finished 5-6 last season and lost 42-20 to Hewitt Trussville in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs after finishing runner-up in Region 4. Six returning starters including an All-State quarterback, four receivers and an All-State offensive lineman will be on offense with four starters on defense. The kicking game is something of a different story.

Rayshawn Hardy (QB, 6-2, 200, Sr.) returns at quarterback after an outstanding junior season where the Patriots scored 33.5 points per game in 2021. The dual threat signal caller was responsible for 3,173 yards and 39 touchdowns a year ago and should continue the same path with four returning wide receivers on board for another season of Patriot football. Hardy is known to be a speedster with explosive moves, a strong arm and competitiveness second to none with several college offers sitting on the table.

The crew of receivers include seniors K.J. Fields (WR, 6-0, 185, Sr.), Quenton Hubbard (WR, 5-11, 155, Sr.), Brody Cooper (WR, 6-4, 200, Sr.) and sophomore Malachi Foster (WR, 5-7, 160, So.). Fields is thought to be the best of the “fearsome foursome,” as he’s physical, has great feet and is a good blocker. Hubbard possesses deceptive speed and runs great routes and had offers from such schools as Kentucky Wesleyan. Cooper has great balance and is considered to have a high football IQ.

Tyren Washington (RB, 5-10, 230, Jr.) was the No. 2 running back a season ago and brings a lot of valuable experience to the gridiron in 2022. Taeshaun Sessions (WR,5-9, 165, Sr.) will get lots of playing time at wide receiver but is also a multiple-position player.

On the offensive line, White’s son, Brandon White (DL, 6-4, 220, Jr.) moved from his starting position to the defensive line leaving just senior Maddox Sunderman (OL, 6-4, 305, Sr.) as the lone returning starter. Rated as the No. 8 offensive lineman in Alabama and who is an All-American heavyweight wrestler for the Patriots wrestling program, Sunderman has what every high school coach looks for in an interior lineman. He has incredible strength and speed, is very agile for his size and has what is deemed to be a high football IQ and has had offers from the likes of Jacksonville State and Kentucky Wesleyan. He was a First-Team Class 7A All-State selection after his junior season.

“We have lots of experience returning and I’m very comfortable with the young offensive linemen we’ll have when the season kicks off,” added White, 44. “We’re very similar to last year’s team in the facts we are balanced and can be very explosive. We should execute much better.”

The defense gave up 30 points an outing a season ago, but with four starters returning and having what should be a very good defensive line and corps of linebackers, the Patriots should be much better overall of the defensive side of the ball.

Besides Brandon White, who has some offers including one from Alcorn State and is very instinctive, agile and strong, making the move to defensive end, the line should include two players who are very physical, lengthy and very active. Those include Myles Cook (DL, 6-4, 230, Jr.) and Christian Kemp (DL, 6-2, 230, Sr.).  Cook is known to have great defending hands, quick off the line and explosive in his ways to disrupt an offensive line. Kemp has strong instincts and physical attributes and, according to the coaching staff, is very hostile. He’s had offers from colleges such as Columbia University, Austin Peay and Kentucky Wesleyan. Also in the mix on the line are Dylan Stewart (DL, 6-2, 240, Sr.), who has had offers from both Hendrix College and Grinnell College and has a high football IQ, violent hands and is a great student, and Caleb Holsey (DL, 6-2, 270, Sr.) who can play multiple places on the line and is regarded as a high-motor athlete.

The linebackers are led by the player White described as, “One of the top five athletes I’ve coached in my 20 years of coaching.” Rowan Jones (LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.) led the team in tackles last season and was the squad’s Most Valuable Player. White said, “He plays hybrid and he’s set up to have another big season for us and any college that gives him an opportunity won’t be sorry they did. He’s always been overlooked because of his measurables, but he’s one of the best.”

Another player who saw many opportunities for playing time last season and will assist in the leading the linebackers is Jonathan Monroe (LB, 6-2, 190, Sr.). He’s extremely physical when needed to be, has great vision at his position, a great tackler who is a leader on the field and in the classroom with a high grand point average.

The defensive backfield is where White and his staff will have to fill in a lot of holes in its armor. Caden Jones, (DB, 6-1, 180, SR.), who also plays running back when called upon, has the most experience. He’s very athletic, good speed and possesses super hands and is a superb tackler. Jordan Morrison (DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.) is also expected to step up for superior play in 2022. Coaches indicated he’s a great tacker, is a good corner cover and has a high football IQ, as well as, a high grade point average in the classroom.

“We know we’ll have to fill in some holes in those positions with young players, but all seem to have a had good a summer, so we expect good play from whomever is set into the roles,” added White.

The kicking game is in constant motion. Gone is the team’s starting punter and place kicker. New to the team this year are place kicker Braden Sinn (K, 5-11, 170, Sr.) and punter Drake Meyer (P, 5-18, 150, Sr.). Sinn plays lacrosse and has a soccer background and looks to have a strong and accurate kicking leg. Myer is a first-year player for Bob Jones and has had positive play during the off-season. “I feel good with these guys,” said White.

The coordinators remain the same from last season’s coaching staff, but White has five new coaches among his staff for 2022.

“With the experience we have, especially on offense, and the fact all of the players have been stronger in the weight room, we certainly should be better than last season,” said White. “Last year we had a very tough schedule and came close to posting a winning season losing to Buckhorn by one point and took our rival and region champion James Clemens to overtime. We know, the time is now.”