Patriots run over Lee 63-7, excited to host rival James Clemens in this week’s Madison Bowl
HUNTSVILLE – A brief heavy shower moved in from the west blowing a cooling wind toward Monte Sano Mountain just as Bob Jones’ second football game of the season was about to begin Friday night.
Then came the downpour.
Class 7A Bob Jones scored on the first play from scrimmage en route to a large halftime lead and defeated an inexperienced 6A Lee squad 63-7 at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.
The Patriots (2-0) sat starters in the second half as they prepared for crosstown Madison rival James Clemens (1-0), which was idle, in the Region 8 opener for both teams Friday at 7 p.m.
“We seemed focused when we came out,” Bob Jones head coach Kelvis White said. “We talk about playing at a high level all the time. I think we came out and played that way. I’m definitely proud of the guys for playing at a high level.’’
The decisive victory, which followed a 48-12 rout of Cullman in the season opener, had the Patriots feeling confident.
“I think we can go all the way,” senior free safety Christen Rice said. “I truly think so. (Defensive coordinator) Coach Green instills in us, especially the defense, that we work hard, we play hard. We can get anywhere we want to go. And that can be, win the region, make the playoffs and go deep in the playoffs.’’
Bob Jones certainly looked to be in postseason form against Lee.
Following a short opening kickoff, the Patriots went ahead on the first play when senior quarterback Johnny Johnson quickly threw into the flat to junior wideout Rhys Dorsey, who took it home for a 51-yard touchdown. Junior Josh Stewart kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Bob Jones made it 20-0 to end the first quarter behind runs of 3 by Jackson and 10 by senior Samuel Monroe.
On the second play of the second quarter, Monroe scored on a 7-yard run that was set up by a Calvin Senwo interception. Three plays later, BJ Carter returned an interception 30 yards for a score and senior Caleb Sanders added a score from the 8-yard line.
Bob Jones led 41-0 at halftime, and many starters were done for the night. That’s something Jackson figured could only help getting players rest as they look to atone for last year’s 40-13 loss to James Clemens.
“It’s big,” he said, “because we’ve got a big game this week, rival game, crosstown rival. They’re like 15 minutes away, really five minutes away. And that’s something we’ve been looking for since we played them last year.’’
Bob Jones added second half touchdowns against Lee on runs of 3 by sophomore Jaden Rice, 18 by sophomore Carter Lindsey and a fumble recovery by junior Gabe Troupe when Nolan Boateng knocked the ball loose in the backfield and into the end zone.
Lee (0-2) got its lone touchdown when junior Robert Jackson out-jumped a defender to catch a pass downfield, then broke free for 30 yards to finish a 74-yard scoring pass from junior Patrick Bailey.
The Patriots now turn their focus to the Jets.
I don’t think you ever get too excited, probably,’’ senior wide receiver Malachi Foster said. “Especially this one. We’ve been waiting for our senior year ever since we’ve been in middle school. This one we’ve been waiting on since middle school, senior year. It’s one we’re very excited about.’’
Bob Jones will be the home team for Friday night’s game at Madison City Schools Stadium.
