Patriots knock off Black Bears 35-7
DECATUR - Long after the fans had left and the stadium was silent, Bob Jones players gathered under the goal post. The Patriots had proved the doubters wrong. They went into Decatur and dominated region rival Austin 35-7 at Ogle Stadium, a place where no Bob Jones team had ever won.
Austin's offense was inside the 20-yard line only once in the game and the Patriots' defense forced two fumbles and an interception that were turned into touchdowns. Patriot defensive ends Zach Taylor and Justin Okpara and tackles Bryan Woodruff and Darelle Martin had Austin quarterback Bailey Hardwick on the run all evening, sacking him twice and limiting the Black Bears to 6-of-16 passing for 36 yards.
Austin, coming off a win at Sparkman, got its only points from a 97-yard kickoff return by Cordarryl Madry to open the game. Bob Jones tied the game at 7 less than four minutes later capitalizing on a muffed punt by Austin's Rodrico Isom. Bob Jones moved 11 yards on three plays and quarterback Luke Gaines ran a sneak two yards for a touchdown.
Gaines efficiently directed an offense that had Austin guessing wrong all night.
Gaines faked a screen pass then hit a wide open Greg Thompson for a 35 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for the final score. The 93-yard drive chewed up over 6 minutes on the clock.
In the second quarter the Patriots drove 80 yards to take the lead. Gaines hit Jason Somrak for a 55-yard pass. Aaron Holmes blasted up the middle for 11 more yards. James Johnson went high in the air for a catch that moved the ball to the 2 yard line. Warren Wilkens took a handoff, bounced outside and ran for a 2-yard touchdown.
An Eric Collins interception led to the Patriots first touchdown of the third quarter. On the 48-yard drive Kevin Perry took a snap at quarterback and raced 11 yards. Warren Wilkens ran six yards for the touchdown. Bob Jones outscored Austin 21-0 in the second half.
The Patriots' press man coverage was led by Kevin Perry who shut down Austin's top receiver Alf Edwards. Perry also recovered a fumbled lateral pass and ran 46 yards for a touchdown in the second half.
The Patriots have another region game on Friday when they host Hazel Green.
