Bob Jones Falls, Madison Academy Rises In First Round Of High School Football Playoffs
MADISON- The first round of the high school playoffs are in the record books. For Bob Jones, it’s one-and-done. For Madison Academy, the dream lives on to round two.
In the Class 7A matchup between Bob Jones and Hoover, the host Buccaneers led by just one touchdown at halftime, but scored on all five of their possessions in the second half to walk away from the visiting Patriots 45-19. Bob Jones remains winless (0-8) all-time versus Hoover. Meanwhile, in Class 3A, the Mustangs of Madison Academy hosted the Phil Campbell Bobcats and eased to a 49-28 victory and will face Sylvania in round two of the AHSAA post-season play.
Bob Jones knew the game was going to be a face-to-face battle and held up well through the first half trailing 14-7 at the break. Into the second half is where the teams were separated from a close contest as Hoover scored on its first possession and then blocked a punt on the Patriots’ ensuing offensive series. The special teams play led to another quick Buccaneers score and the Patriots could not rally.
All-State caliber quarterback Rayshawn Hardy of Bob Jones completed 10 of 13 passes on the night, but Hoover’s defense stifled the incredible running talents of the senior QB holding Hardy to minus four yards on the ground. Bob Jones head coach Kelvis White inserted junior quarterback Dylan Willingham who posted some good numbers hitting 10 of 12 passes for 110 yards. One of the completions came on the closing play of the contest when he hit senior wide receiver Brody Cooper on a five-yard score.
Hoover (10-1) will host Hewitt-Trussville while Bob Jones’ 2022 campaign ends at 5-6.
Bob Jones comes away from its 29th all-time appearance in the post-season playoffs. The Patriots are now 8-21 in round one, 2-6 in round two and 0-2 in third round of playoffs action.
The Mustangs of Madison Academy (9-2) capped a superior evening against the Bobcats led by senior quarterback Carson Creehan who hit 16 of 21 for 206 yards and two touchdowns and added 30 yards on the run. Running back Ken Cherry had 126 yards and two scores on 18 rushes while Mario Brewer had 82 yards on the ground with a TD and additional 71 yards and a score via receiving. Josh Williams added a score of his own and Malachi Bailey scored on a 25-yard pass. The defense was led by Williams who had an interception. Madison Academy led 28-8 at halftime.
On the 2022 season, the Mustangs are averaging 47 points, 503 total yards, including 273 yards passing and 230 yards rushing, per game.
In round two, Madison Academy will host Region 6 foe Sylvania (8-3). The Rams are putting up 30.6 points per game while allowing 17.6 per game. The Rams opened their trek in the playoffs by defeating Fayette County 35-6. The two teams will collide on the campus of Madison Academy for the third time as the Mustangs are 2-0 all-time versus the Rams including a 35-6 victory in their last meeting in 2011.
