Pats take 11-7 win over Florence
In a defensive struggle the Bob Jones Patriots won their Region opener against visiting Florence 11-7.
With Florence threatening to score a game-winning touchdown and just 10 seconds left in the game, Clay Anderson intercepted a pass on the Florence three-yard line to preserve the win for the Patriots.
On the first sequence, Bob Jones failed to gain a first down, with Florence taking the ball after a Bob Jones punt.
The Patriot defense, after a long Florence drive.held firm and tackled Blake Watkins short of a first down, regaining the ball.
Bob Jones' offense struggled early, with quarterback Luke Gaines taking over from Busing after two series. The Patriots were forced to punt on their first three possessions.
Late in the quarter Bob Jones' Darelle Martin recovered Florence quarterback Josh Petty's fumble on the Florence four-yard line. Bob Jones shortly fumbled the ball back, failing to score.
On the last play of the quarter, Zack Taylor tackled Florence's Blake Watkins in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 lead.
Bob Jones' defense remained strong in the second quarter, holding Florence scoreless. Justin Okpara intercepted a pass to stop one Florence drive.
Cody Stepko kicked two field goals in the quarter, one from 29 yards and another from 22 yards to give the Patriots a 8-0 lead.
According to Coach Shannon Brown, the highlight of the game was "Cody Stepko, Cody Stepko, Cody Stepko. He deserves to be the Player of the Week."
Early in the third quarter Florence scored its only touchdown.
A short pass on a crossing pattern from quarterback Josh Petty to Willie Jackson was carried into the end zone.
The point after touchdown was successful, reducing Bob Jones' lead to 8-7.
Stepko drilled another field goal late in the quarter to bring the score to 11-7.
Anderson's interception with 10 seconds left in the game stopped Florence's final scoring chance, with the game ending 11-7.
"The defense responded well from a pitiful performance against Lee last week," Brown said.
He said Taylor Sutherland was especially impressive, "playing with an open wound and through a lot of pain."
Stepko showed a strong leg, kicking three field goals and narrowly missing a 56-yard attempt.
He also served as the Patriots' punter for most of the game.
Running back Warren Wilkens led the Patriots' offense on the ground unofficially with 87 yards on 20 carries.
The Patriot defense held Florence to under 200 total yards and just seven first downs.
The Patriots improved their record to 1-1 and 1-0 in region play. Florence drops to 1-1 and 0-1.
Bob Jones travels Friday to Decatur to face region rival Austin.
Brown believes the Patriots need to cut down on mistakes and continue to get better in order to get a win over the Black Bears at their home stadium.
"Playing Austin there will be a tough task," he said.
