Bob Jones High School Football Booster Website: My Site News
Saturday, November 7State Playoffs - Round 2 Madison City Stadium
All PATRIOT FANS
Mark Your Calendars Now for November 13th at 7pm at Madison City Stadium ("The Bob") for the 2nd Round of the State Playoffs against Decatur High School. The Team heard you loud and clear during Round 1, be there for an exciting 2nd round game, the team needs your support!!!
Reminder: Boosters, your Season Ticket does not apply to State Playoff games, you will need to purchase a ticket and arrive early for a good seat (no reserved seats). Your parking pass will be valid for playoff games.
Go to the AHSAA website for all the latest 2009 Playoff Information (Link Below):
http://www.ahsaa.com/Sports/Football/tabid/156/Default.aspx
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Hoover next? No big worry
MADISON - The whiteboard inside the Bob Jones High football field house doesn't give a hint.
"Hewitt-Trussville was in the way. Decatur was in the way. Now Hoover is in the way."
It makes Friday night's Class 6A quarterfinal against the Buccaneers seem like just another football game as Bob Jones' first two playoff opponents were written off in past tense.
Friday's game is not just against Hoover. It's against the New York Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys or the Boston Celtics of state high school football. Or all three. Hoover (11-1) is synonymous with championships. Hoover has an aura, a presence, "a swagger" as Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose put it Monday. "They're a group of young kids playing football just like we are," Patriots running back Trai Ragland said. It's just that Bob Jones' kids watch Hoover's kids on TV for entertainment. On a bus trip to play Oxford last season, the Patriots watched "Two-a-Days" - the MTV reality show that followed the 2005 Buccaneers and became must-see TV for teens. "I know a few guys watched it last week before we played Decatur," receiver Collins Moore said. "I wouldn't be surprised if many of them watch it this week."
The 2005 Hoover team was the last of five straight state champions and the Buccaneers haven't won one since and coach Rush Propst is gone after resigning under pressure for issues unrelated to football. So is Hoover still that good? "Yes. Absolutely," Rose said. "They are absolutely that good." Rose is familiar with the Bucs, having served as an assistant coach at Hoover in 2007. He knows well the stars of the 2009 Hoover team, receivers Josh Magee and Maudrecus Humphrey - the son of former Alabama star Bobby Humphrey. "They are Hoover," Rose said. "They are a nationally-recognized football program. It's a great opportunity for us to try to go do something special." The first step in that process, of course, is the mental game. "We're going to play Hoover, the team, and not Hoover, the name," Moore said. "They put their pants on the same way we do, one leg at a time. It's not like they're a bunch of superheroes." Those words spoken Monday morning must be put into action on Friday night.
But even Rose is interested to see how his team handles this spotlight on this stage against this opponent. "Sure, there's a chance (of getting starry-eyed)," Rose said. "I hope that's not the case. (We can't) get wrapped up in the Hoover name and the Hoover mantra and they understand they've got a bunch of good high school players and coaches and we've got the same thing. "If we go down there and play them straight up, we've got a chance. If we get intimidated by the stage, they might blow us out."
But just remember the whiteboard in the field house. Hoover has been reduced to being an obstacle and nothing more. "We never made it to the third round, never done anything here," Ragland said. "They may underestimate us and come out lax and think just because they're Hoover, we're going to lay down for them."
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Hager overcomes nerves for Patriots
MADISON - As time became short and the field even shorter, Bob Jones High junior kicker Braden Hager began to think his school's football playoff life might depend on his right leg.
He thought right. A Patriots drive, which began at their 6-yard line with 6:16 left to play following an interception by Collins Moore, stalled at Decatur's 10-yard line as the clock wound down. After two timeouts, Hager drilled a 27-yard field goal through the middle of the uprights with 1.9 seconds remaining to lift Bob Jones to a 17-14 victory Friday night over Decatur at Madison City Schools Stadium. After a squib kick, time ran out on the biggest victory in Bob Jones history. Students stormed the field to help the Patriots celebrate the school's first second-round win. "I actually thought we were going to score,' Hager said. But around the 1:30 mark he began to sense what was coming. "I was pretty nervous,' he said. The eighth-ranked Patriots (11-1) will play Hoover (11-1) in the 6A quarterfinals after surviving the upset bid by Decatur (9-3). "I knew what we were getting into,' Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose said. "I told the kids it would come down to the last play and we'd have to find a way to win.' Moore intercepted a tipped pass at the Patriots' 6 to set up the game-winning drive. He then caught a 31-yard pass from Zach Freeman on third-and-12 to give Bob Jones a key first down at the Red Raiders' 17. Three plays gained seven yards before Hager's landmark kick. "(Moore is) just one of those special guys that has a knack for the football,' Rose said. Bob Jones lost 31 yards and a fumble on an attempted double pass on the first possession of the game. Decatur recovered at the Patriots 25, but later missed a field goal. Bob Jones drove to Decatur's 7, but a Hager field-goal attempt was blocked. The Red Raiders blocked a punt on the Patriots' next possession at the 34, but eventually had to punt. "We knew we could block some kicks and we did,' Decatur coach Jere Adcock said. "But we didn't scoop them up and score.' Decatur went ahead 7-0 with 5:48 left in the first half on Desmond Lavelle's 11-yard run.Bob Jones got a break when the Red Raiders fumbled away a shotgun snap with 1:30 remaining in the half at Decatur's 28. After a 23-yard pass from Zach Freeman to Xavier Gaddy, Reggie Ragland caught a 4-yard TD pass to tie the game at 7-all.
The Patriots got another break when Decatur's returner slipped on the second-half kickoff at his 4 and, after a short punt, drove 30 yards to a Trai Ragland TD and a 14-7 lead. Decatur tied it at 14-all when quarterback Ben Neill scrambled and threw a 25-yard scoring strike to Jordan Phillips at the 4:59 mark of the third. Neill, who couldn't handle punting duties because of a broken fibula, had a thick cast on the leg to protect the injury. "I don't think any kid in the state has more guts,' Adcock said.Friday, November 13
HISTORY MADE TONIGHT AT THE BOB!!!!
Bob Jones Defeats Decatur 17-14 in Round 2 of the Playoffs!!!
For the first time in Bob Jones High School history, the Patriots are going to the Quarter-Finals of the Alabama 6A playoffs. The 11-1 Patriots battled it out against Decatur High School at "The Bob" Friday night, and won the game in the last 6 seconds of the game with a 27 yard field goal by Braden Hager. This field goal was set up due to a key interception by Collins Moore late in the 4th quarter. Decatur played with agressiveness throughout the game, but the Patriots hung with the Red Raiders and pulled out the win. The 730UMP Tenders Chicken Player of the Game was Junior Kicker Braden Hager. With the win, Bob Jones is on the road next Friday to the Quarter-Finals of the state playoffs as one of only 8 teams left in search of the 6A title.
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Patriots blank Senators
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| Bob Jones quarterback Zachary Freeman (12) looks for receivers. |
Tenth-ranked Bob Jones stays perfect in Class 6A's Region 8
The first day on his new job, Bob Jones High football coach Kevin Rose had a delivery. It was a thick packet of information from a fan "on the history of the Bob Jones-Sparkman rivalry," Rose said.
"This is Alabama-Auburn here," Rose said. "Their kids certainly played that way and I'm proud of the way our kids played."
Bob Jones has taken the momentum in the rivalry, winning for the third consecutive time over Sparkman with a 23-0 decision Friday night. The 10th-ranked Patriots improved to 8-1 overall while Sparkman fell to 2-7. Bob Jones is undefeated in Class 6A, Region 8 play and has already assured itself of hosting a playoff game. "Sitting here undefeated in region play is a special accomplishment for our players and coaches," Rose said.
Trai Ragland ran for a touchdown and Zach Freeman connected with Xavier Gaddy and Collins Moore on touchdown passes. Gaddy rushed 20 times for 145 yards, Ragland 17 times for 67.
The Patriots added a fourth-quarter safety when Evan Richtmyer trapped Sparkman quarterback Terrance Pride in the end zone. That was typical of the suffocating defense applied by Bob Jones, which has now held opponents scoreless for 12 consecutive quarters.
"They've got a really good defensive line and that gave us a lot of problems," Sparkman coach Roger Haynes said.
The Patriots' D-line - Richtmyer, Patrick Alford, Seth Thomas, Jeremy Brackett - kept pressure on Pride, allowing only five completions in 13 attempts.
One of those was a 38-yarder that put the Senators on the Bob Jones 2 in the final minute of the first half. But on the last play of the half, as Pride began to fake a pass, the ball slipped from his grasp and was recovered by the Patriots' Branden O'Hara. It was a momentum killer. Sparkman wasn't able to muster a first down on an offensive play until the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
Bob Jones had taken a 7-0 lead on Gaddy's 10-yard reception from Freeman, ending a 12-play, 66-yard, 4:10 drive to open the game. After the Senators went three-and-out on the first possession of the third period, Bob Jones marched 77 yards in 14 plays, the last a leaping TD by Ragland over the middle of the line.
Moore's touchdown came late in the third period, levitating seemingly forever while outleaping two Sparkman defenders for the 25-yard score with
"Their kids made plays when they had opportunities and we didn't," Haynes said. "That was the difference in the ball game."
Pictures courtesy of Huntsville Times Photographer Bob Gathany.
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| Sparkman quarterback Terrance Pride tries to get away from Bob Jones' Alex Gilbe |
Thursday, November 5
2009 Bob Jones Football Statistical Information
Some Interesting Statistical Information was Gathered
by Patriot Booster Member Gary Tuttle
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Bob Jones is number 2 in 6A for the state for average points scoring an average of 39.8 points per game
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Bob Jones is separated by only a half point per game or less than a single touchdown over the entire season from the leader, the number one ranked 6A team in the state Auburn High School
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Bob Jones was fourth in points allowed with an average of just 10 points per game
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Bob Jones was separated from the number one 6A team in this category,Gadsden City currently ranked 9th in the state, by a single point per gameor 10 points over the entire season.
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Another key stat shutouts shows Bob Jones defense has shut out 5 of its 10 opponents this year and currently has a streak of 12 quarters without a single point against them.
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The most important number for any team of course is the difference between these the two key offensive and defensive numbers indicating a team has an offense that can score a lot of points and a defense that allows very few points a game, in this Category your Patriots are the number one team in 6A for the state. Just in case you were wondering the team right behind us separated by a tenth of a point is the number one 6A team in the state Auburn.
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As you might of guessed all the top ten ranked teams in the state are also the top 10 in these stat categories.
Congratulations to the players and the coaches on such an
impressive achievement this year.
Friday, October 23
Patriots Go Undefeated in Alabama 6A Region 8
The Bob Jones Patriots Football team went 8-1 before a packed house on Military Appreciation Night as they beat their rivals, Sparkman High School 23-0 at "The Bob" in Madison. After a slow start, the Patriots picked up the pace in the 2nd half and soundly beat the Sparkman Senators. Congratulations to the Patriots Defensive team, who had their third straight shut-out, and helped with scoring by adding a safety against the Senators. The Patriots Defense was named the 730Ump Tenders Chicken players of the game.
Next Friday night at the Bob (10/30) come celebrate the accomplishments of the Bob Jones Patriot Senior players at "Senior Night" as they play the Butler Rebels.
GO PATRIOTS,
SEE YOU AT "THE BOB" NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 21
Bob Jones Move to # 8 in the ASWA State Football Poll
ASWA STATE FOOTBALL POLL (10/27/09)
This week's Alabama Sports Writers Association state high school football poll, including all schools receiving votes and first-place votes and record in parentheses:
Class 6A
| 1. Auburn (30) | (9-0) | 405 |
| 2. Prattville (5) | (7-2) | 321 |
| 3. Vestavia Hills | (8-1) | 276 |
| 4. Fairhope | (9-0) | 248 |
| 5. Hoover | (8-1) | 218 |
| 6. Jess Lanier | (8-1) | 140 |
| 7. Central- Phenix City | (8-1) | 126 |
| 8. Bob Jones | (8-1) | 95 |
| 9. Gadsden City | (7-2) | 39 |
| 10. Theodore | (8-1) | 33 |
Others receiving votes: Florence (8-1) 26, Davidson (7-2) 22, Spain Park (7-2) 20, Tuscaloosa Co. (7-2) 10, Hewitt-Trussville (7-2) 6, Clay-Chalkville (7-2) 5, Murphy (7-2) 5.
Friday, October 16
The Bob Jones Patriots are the Alabama Region 8-6A Champions!!!!!!
The 7-1 Bob Jones Patriots with a 28-0 win over Austin High School Friday night have become the Alabama Region 8, 6A State Champions for 2009 and are guaranteed their spot in the Alabama State Championship playoffs.
The Patriot's Defense once again did not allow their opponent to score, and now have gone 8 quarters straight of shutout play. On a cold brisk night, the Bob Jones offense still found a way to run and pass and get to the endzone.
The 730Ump Tenders Chicken Player of the Game was Xavier Gaddy, who was able to run strong throughout the night against the Black Bear Defense.
Congratulations to all of the Bob Jones High School Football Team on a magnificant run to date through Region 8, and becoming the 2009 Champions.
Next Friday night, be at "The Bob" as the Patriots take on arch rival Sparkman High School, and come honor our military heroes during Military Appreciation Night at the Bob. It will be a night to remember.
GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!!!
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| Trai Ragland Hurdles Over Huntsville High School Defense |
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BJHS Football Back on the Winning Track
The Bob Jones Patriots go 6-1 for the season as they defeated the Huntsville High Panthers Thursday night 31-0 at Milton Frank Stadium in Huntsville. In addition to a shut-out game, the Patriot defense, caused Huntsville to fumble the ball and was able to take the fumbled ball straight into the endzone.
After being out with the Flu this week, Bob Jones quarterback Zach Freeman came into the game during the 2nd quarter and got the Patriots on a fast scoring track and was named the 730Ump Tenders Chicken Player of the game.
Next Friday, October 16th, the Patriots go to Decatur to play Austin, and with a win, will reserve their place in the Alabama state playoffs.
COME TO DECATUR NEXT FRIDAY AND CHEER ON BOB JONES!! GO PATRIOTS!!!
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Bob Jones seeks to avenge last season's playoff loss
Defending Class 6A, Region 8 football champ Huntsville is preparing to face a Bob Jones team with designs on claiming the crown for its own.
This week's game holds plenty of intrigue. Though the Panthers (2-4, 2-3) are out of the region title chase, they returned to the playoff hunt by beating Austin last week.
Bob Jones (5-1, 5-0) is coming off its first loss, falling 37-35 when Homewood scored on the last play of the game. After rising to No. 6 in the Class 6A rankings, the Patriots might be headed out of the Top 10, but they remain unblemished in region play. The last time Bob Jones came to Milton Frank Stadium - site of Thursday night's game - Huntsville pitched a 14-0 shutout in the second round of the 2008 playoffs.
So is there a perfect storm of frustration and vengeance brewing for Bob Jones? Or is this the perfect week for Huntsville to pull a surprise after the Patriots' dreams of a perfect season were dashed?
Panthers coach Kevin Wieseman expects more of the former.
"Bob Jones is big and fast and explosive on both sides of the ball," he said. "To have a chance, we have we have to play with discipline and a sense of urgency."
Huntsville's hopes appear to hinge on slowing a Bob Jones offense averaging 43.3 points per game. But a Panthers offense that averages 17 points will no doubt play a key role as Huntsville will try to control the clock and keep the Patriots speedy offensive players on the sideline as much as possible.
"I think our defense did a heck of a job the other night against Austin with those (six) turnovers,' Huntsville senior offensive lineman Patrick Junen said. "But yeah, we'll need to control the line of scrimmage."
As for any letdown, Bob Jones quarterback Zach Freeman said he doesn't see that happening. The Patriots lost to Homewood despite piling up 353 yards in total offense, largely because they had three second-half turnovers and gave up 296 yards.
"It was a non-region game - that's how we looked at it," Freeman said. "If we were going to lose a game, that was the one we wanted to lose. I think everyone will be rejuvenated and we'll bounce back very well, actually."
Bob Jones can clinch the region championship by winning two of three games against Huntsville, Austin or Sparkman.
Huntsville needs a win this week to keep pace for the fourth and final region playoff berth. If the Panthers lose to Bob Jones, they will need to defeat Buckhorn and Hazel Green, while having Austin and Grissom lose at least once to bring tie-breakers into play.
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Bob Jones slips out of Class 6A football poll
By Allan Taylor
October 07, 2009, 6:00AM
Class 6A
- Hoover (31) (6-0) 417
- Prattville (3) (4-2) 321
- Auburn (2) (6-0) 297
- Jess Lanier (6-0) 226
- Fairhope (6-0) 190
- Clay-Chalkville (6-0) 176
- Vestavia Hills (5-1) 155
- Davidson (5-1) 100
- Murphy (5-1) 55
- Central-Phenix City (6-0) 25
Others receiving votes: Bob Jones (5-1) 23, Spain Park (5-1) 23, Gadsden City (5-1) 21, Opelika (4-2) 12, Tuscaloosa Co. (4-2) 4, Oxford (5-1) 4, Florence (5-1) 1, Decatur (5-1) 1, Dothan (5-1) 1..
Wednesday, September 23
Bob Jones Football Patriots #8 in the State
ASWA Football Poll (9-23-09)
| CLASS 6A | |||
| School | Rec. |
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| Prattville (24) | (3-1) | 411 | |
| Hoover (13) | (4-0) | 377 | |
| Davidson | (4-0) | 294 | |
| Auburn (1) | (4-0) | 268 | |
| Tuscaloosa County | (4-0) | 211 | |
| Jess Lanier | (4-0) | 150 | |
| Murphy | (4-0) | 141 | |
| Bob Jones | (4-0) | 91 | |
| Vestavia Hills | (3-1) | 75 | |
| Fairhope | (4-0) | 60 | |
| Others receiving votes | |||
| Clay-Chalkville (4-0) 27, Gadsden City (3-1) 16, Oxford (3-1) 10, Opelika (3-1) 9, Theodore (4-0) 7, Spain Park (4-0) 6, Pelham (2-2) 6, Decatur (4-0) 5, Central-Phenix City (4-0) 2. |
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BJHS Speedsters On Right Track
MADISON - Collins Moore is in mid-sentence when he realizes he's due back on the practice field. In an instant, his helmet is on, and he's sprinting to his position. Xavier Gaddy arrives in his stead and answers a few questions before, like Moore, he's forced to return to the field just as quickly. Now you see them. Now you don't. Nick Beavers is nowhere to be found - he's in testing during part of this period at Bob Jones High School - until he materializes a few minutes before the rest of the football team returns to the fieldhouse for weightlifting. "It's hard to catch us," Beavers says, alluding to the trio's speed on the field while also unwittingly describing how hard it is to keep them under wraps. Bob Jones' opponents can certainly relate. Moore, Gaddy and Beavers are just three of the many weapons the unbeaten and eighth-ranked Patriots, who host 4-0 Decatur on Friday in a Class 6A, Region 8 game, can throw out on the field at any given time. All of them take the phrase "sprinter's speed" to heart as members of the school's strong track program. Beavers and Moore went 1-2 in the 110-meter hurdles at sectionals last spring and reversed that order in the 300 hurdles. Beavers won the 300 hurdles at the state meet as a freshman. Gaddy, who runs a little bit of everything - 100, 200, 400, 4X100 and 4X400 (Beavers and Moore take part in the latter, too) - spent his spring preparing for the Junior Olympics in Greensboro, N.C.
Success on the track has translated onto the football field. All three of them have plays of 65-plus yards from scrimmage this season. "We have a very good track program under Robin Gaines," Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose says. "The guys can get more individual attention there than we can give them in terms of making them faster, and it ends up benefiting us. Now we have guys who can go 86 yards in one play rather than having to go 86 yards in 18 plays." Gaddy covered those 86 yards in one play Friday against Grissom. After the Patriots lost six yards on their first two snaps of the game, the coaches called 38 Stretch, and the junior took care of the rest. "When I got to the corner, I exploded upfield," Gaddy says, using his hands to motion the way he comes out of the blocks on the track. "I'm doing the same thing. I'm just doing it with the football." While Gaddy and Beavers have been running track for several years, last season marked the first time Moore joined them. There has been a noticeable extra skip in his step in the first four games. The junior is averaging almost 30 yards per catch on 11 receptions. Six of those have gone for touchdowns (he has another one on a punt return). On the team's first offensive play of the second half against Grissom, he caught a bubble screen across the middle, came to a complete stop, reversed his field and turned on the turbos to run untouched for a 61-yard touchdown. "I'm able to run away from people now," Moore says. "I wasn't very fast last year, but the track helped me a lot. It's very exciting." And everyone takes turns. Beavers got his big play, a 65-yard score, against Hazel Green. It's all part of Rose's concept of making the defense accountable on every snap. "We want to make the defense defend the entire field," he says. "If you look at the number of touches each guy gets, it makes us difficult to defend. As the game progresses, our guys are fresher and have a better chance of making a big play." Or two. Or three...(Taken in full from the Huntsville Times) Thursday, September 24, 2009, By Bill Bryant, Times Sports Staff bill.bryant@htimes.com
Friday, September 18
The Patriots continue winning streak
The Bob Jones Patriots go 4-0 after a resounding 49-0 win over Grissom High School. The Patriots Defense was impressive in their shutout and causing turn-overs that led to Patriot scoring. Bob Jones led in the first quarter 28-0 and never looked back. The 4-0 Patriots will play the only other undefeated Alabama 6A Region 8 team next week, the Decatur Red Raiders at Madison City Stadium (The Bob). Expected attendance at The Bob is 7,500 fans!!!
730Ump Tender's Chicken Player of the Game: The Entire Bob Jones Patriot Defense
730Ump Tender's Chicken Play of the Game: 76 Seconds into the game, Darius Tibbs recovers a Grissom fumble in the endzone for a touchdown.
Wednesday, September 16
Bob Jones Football Patriots #10 in the State
ASWA Football Poll (9-16-09)
| CLASS 6A | ||||||||
| School | Rec. | Points | ||||||
| Prattville (25) | (2-1) | 411 | ||||||
| Hoover (11) | (3-0) | 368 | ||||||
| Davidson | (3-0) | 290 | ||||||
| Vestavia Hills (1) | (3-0) | 269 | ||||||
| Auburn (1) | (3-0) | 232 | ||||||
| Tuscaloosa County | (3-0) | 182 | ||||||
| Jess Lanier | (3-0) | 134 | ||||||
| Murphy | (3-0) | 93 | ||||||
| Oxford | (3-0) | 46 | ||||||
| Bob Jones | (3-0) | 36 | ||||||
| Others receiving votes | ||||||||
| Fairhope (3-0) 33; Opelika (2-1) 30; Clay-Chalkville (3-0) 23; Minor (2-1) 6; | ||||||||
| Spain Park (3-0) 5; Theodore (3-0) 5; Decatur (3-0) 2; Daphne (1-2) 1; | ||||||||
| Gadsden City (2-1) 1; Wetumpka (2-1) 1; Central-Phenix City (3-0) 1. | ||||||||
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Homecoming of sorts
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Bob Jones coach, Muscle Shoals native faces Florence in 6A, Region 8 game
Last Modified: Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 11:57 p.m.
Ronald and Joyce Rose will enjoy a shorter commute to watch their favorite high school football coach in action tonight. The Muscle Shoals couple and parents of former Sheffield coach Kevin Rose have made plenty of road trips the past two seasons, never missing a home game as their son worked as an assistant coach first at Hoover in 2007 and then Bob Jones last season. Now in his first season as the Patriots' head coach, Kevin Rose faces a homecoming of sorts in a pivotal Class 6A, Region 8 game tonight at Braly Stadium against Florence, and his parents will only have to make a short drive to be there. "That's been the biggest difficulty," said Rose, who was an assistant at Deshler and a head coach at Sheffield for six seasons. "My family is extremely close so we've made a lot of trips back and forth. My mom never missed a game at Hoover and my mom and dad came to every game last year at Bob Jones. (Tonight) they'll just have to drive right across the bridge. "That's my home. It always will be. I went to college at UNA. I graduated from Muscle Shoals High School and my parents still live there, so it's a special place for my family."
While the nostalgia of his return isn't lost on Rose, neither are the implications of the game itself on the region race. Both teams enter 2-0 in region play after each capturing wins against Buckhorn and Hazel Green the first two weeks of the season. The winner tonight will enjoy an upper hand in what appears to be a wide-open region. "It's a pivotal moment early in the season," Florence coach Alvin Briggs said. "Somebody can take a giant step forward to 3-0. They're going to bring a big crowd and hopefully we'll bring a big crowd, too. We're motivated because it's Bob Jones, because of what the game means and because it's coach Rose, who is a great coach." Bob Jones' offense seems fine-tuned in its second season under Rose, who was the Patriots' offensive coordinator last season. The Patriots have amassed 909 yards of offense while scoring 115 points in their first two games, beating Buckhorn 49-10 and Hazel Green 66-20. They're led by quarterback Zach Freeman and receiver Collins Moore, who has 183 yards receiving and four touchdowns this season. And running back Trai Ragland, who rushed for 1,000 yards as a sophomore in 2008, provides talent in the ground game. But as impressive as the offense has been, the defense, led by linebacker Brandon O'Hara and defensive end Stephen Ballard, has paved the way, Rose said. The Patriots have not allowed a touchdown in the first half this season.
"Since I've taken the job, we've really tried to focus on playing strong defense, and we've done that," Rose said. "Even though we've put up, I guess, some impressive numbers offensively, it's because we've had the ball so many times. Our defense has forced a lot of three-and-outs and given us the ball in good field position. Those are the guys that are going to carry us." They'll have the task of checking Florence's offensive playmakers, including receivers Raheem McCray, Damien Simmons and Zach Beckwith along with quarterback Bryce Curtis, who has passed for 419 yards and six touchdowns in two games. "It's a huge game. It give us and Florence the opportunity to go 3-0 in the region," Rose said. "Once you put a region win in the bank, it doesn't go away. Once you get down to Week 9 or 10 and those playoff spots are being decided, what happened in Week 3 will be very important."
Bryan App can be reached at 740-5730 or bryan.app@TimesDaily.com.
Friday, September 11
Patriots Go 3-0 on the Road!!!
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| Bob Jones Defense vs. Florence |
The Bob Jones Patriots are Averaging 52 Points per Game, Number 1 in Alabama 6A!!!
The BJHS Patriots went into Braly Stadium and faced a loud Florence High School crowd as they fought hard all 4 quarters on their way to a 3-0 start as they beat Florence 41-26. It was a tight battle the first half, as the Patriots pulled away at half time with a 28-7 lead. The Florence Falcons, fought back during the second half, but a stead-fast defense and a an offense ready to fight their way to the endzone, gave the Patriots the big win.
The next three games, are home games back at "The Bob", and the Patriots encourage all fans to come watch the team, as they move forward on to more victories. GO PATRIOTS!!!!
The 730UmpTenders Chicken Player of the Game is Trai Ragland.
The 730Ump Tenders Chicken Play of the game was the Zach Freeman pass to Collins Moore for a touchdown during the 2nd quarter of the game.
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| 730UMP/Tenders Chicken Player of the Game: Trai Ragland |
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BOB JONES WINS HOME OPENER!!!!
Bob Jones High School 49 - Buckhorn High School 10
With over 5,000 attendees at "The Bob" and after a shaky first quarter, the Patriots (1-0) scored 5 touchdowns in the 2nd quarter!! The Patriots never looked back from there. With a very stingy Patriot defense, and multiple touchdowns by Collins Moore, Keegan Stevenson, and Trai Ragland, and a stead-fast passing arm of Zach Freeman, Bob Jones went on to beat Buckhorn High School for the first time since 1998.
A Special Congratulations to Coach Kevin Rose for his First Win as
Head Coach of the Bob Jones Patriots!!!!
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| 730UMP/Tenders Chicken Play of the Game: 2nd Qtr Pass from Z.Freeman to Q Rogers |
Wednesday, August 26
Congratulations to BJHS Athletic Director Kent Chambers
'A big honor' for AD, school
The athletic program at Bob Jones High School is among the best in Alabama. The success of athletics starts with good leadership, and Bob Jones athletic director Kent Chambers is part of that.
Chamber was named the Alabama High School Athletic Association's Athletic Director of the Year for being a coach and an administrator.
"With 400-plus schools across the state, it's a big honor to be recognized. But it's recognition for the entire Bob Jones athletic program," Chambers said. "We are blessed to have good coaches and student-athletes, and the program not winning would mean no honors for anyone associated with our athletic program." Principal Robby "Parker stresses that each sport receive recognition equally."
As coach of the Bob Jones softball team for 20 years, Chambers has guided his team to 16 winning seasons, nine trips to the state playoffs and more than 660 victories. Almost 40 of his players have signed collegiate athletic scholarships.
Chambers, 44, began teaching and coaching for the Patriots in 1986 after graduating from Athens State with a degree in education. While at Bob Jones, Chambers has also coached volleyball, basketball and swimming. He has been AD since 2005.
Last year, Bob Jones won four state championships and one national title. This summer, Chambers was chosen as administrative coach of the North softball team at the 13th annual Alabama High School Athletic Association's All-Star Week in Huntsville. This was the 10th year for Chambers to earn the honor. The North defeated the South in the two games during the event.
This summer was also one of personal change. He married a fellow student at Brewer High School, Pat Franklin. She had been living in Atlanta while they dated, but she has moved to the small community of Eva where Chambers has lived since he was a boy.
"It's a 45-mile trip one way to work each day," Chambers said of the drive from Morgan County, "but I'm happily married to a woman who has been my friend since high school.
"I'm having the time of my life."
Chambers takes a soft approach as AD but relies on making sure every coach and student-athlete follows guidelines set up by the school and the state association. His determination to secure sportsmanship in athletics is evident since Bob Jones was named the only Class 6A school in District 8 to have zero fines or ejections the entire school year.
"This entire athletic program honor means more to me than any honor I may receive personally," Chambers said. "We set a goal to challenge each of our coaches at Bob Jones to have ethics and show sportsmanship at all times. We instruct our athletes to do the same."
Friday, August 21
North Gwinnett High School wins 21-7 over Bob Jones High School at Madison City Stadium tonight. The Bob Jones Patriots put up a great first half, but struggled during the second half as the N. Gwinnett Buldogs forged ahead with their passing game.
Bob Jones scored quickly during the first quarter as Trai Ragland passed on an option play to Quintrell Rogers for a touchdown. The Bulldogs caught up with the Patriots during the 2nd quarter as Justin Dickens of N. Gwinnett tied the game with a touchdown. At the half the game was tied at 7-7. The Bulldogs scored again in the third and fouth quarter resulting in the 21-7 score.
The Patriots will look forward to bouncing back next Friday night (8/28) at home again as they play Buckhorn High School for the first game of the season at Madison City Stadium.
Thursday, August 13
Saturday, July 25
BJHS Player Featured on Scout.com as Top Talent at National Select 7on7 in Hoover
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Posted Jul 24, 2009 Scout.com
Chad Simmons South Recruiting Analyst was at the Select 7on7 Tournament on Friday and you can see photos of some of the top talent here.
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| Trai Ragland at Hoover Elite 7on7 |
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Sigler to Blount High School
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| Blount High's New Head Coach | |
Former University of Alabama assistant Ronnie Cottrell and former Crimson Tide player Kelvin Sigler have been chosen for a pair of vacant high school football coaching positions in the Mobile area, pending approval from the Mobile County school board. Cottrell, the former recruiting coordinator at Alabama whose name became part of an NCAA investigation that landed the Tide on probation in 2001, has been recommended to take over at Alma Bryant. Sigler, who was a standout safety at Alabama, is the choice at Blount. Both recommendations were confirmed Tuesday by Calvin Crist, the athletic director for Mobile County public schools. Coaches are generally selected by a school's principal, but the choice must be approved by the school board before the hiring can be finalized. Crist said that approval might not come until the board's April meeting. Cottrell, Sigler, Bryant principal Larry Mouton and Blount principal Yvonne Matthews could not be reached for comment Tuesday... Sigler, a former standout at Shaw High, was a two-year starter at Alabama and also played briefly in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans and the Miami Dolphins. He is currently an assistant at Bob Jones High School near Huntsville, where the head coach is former Alabama defensive lineman Shannon Brown. Sigler would take over at Blount for Ben Harris, who stepped down as the Leopards' coach after leading the team to a 22-40 record in six seasons in his second stint at the school. Harris, who is still Blount's athletic director, guided the Leopards to a 91-16 mark and four state titles from 1988 to 1997 before leaving to take an assistant's job at Alabama State. The Leopards went 6-5 last season, earning a playoff berth out of 6A Region 1.
http://blount.mcs.schoolinsites.com/ The Bob Jones High School football program and families wish Coach Sigler the best at Blount. They are getting a fine young man.
Wednesday, June 10
2009 Summer Workout Schedule
Summer Workouts Will Begin Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Varsity: 6:30-9:00AM
JV: 7:30-9:30AM
Freshman: 7:30-9:30AM
Thursday, September 11
Discovery Middle Beats Liberty Middle in Triple Overtime Thriller!
Asking for a parent/coach/fan to submit write-up of both games! Scoreboard overlay compliments of Howard Lester.
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Wrestlers Needed
I’d like to congratulate your boys on a great football season. I’d also like to extend this opportunity to invite your son to participate in wrestling this season. I’ve included a power point that shows the connection between wrestling and football. I hope you will give it a look and see the benefits. Also, I would invite any of you or your boys to come to a practice Mon, tues, thurs, or Friday of this week or next (4:15-6:15pm) so you can see what it’s like and I can answer any questions you have. If you have any questions in the meantime, you can call me at 256-656-8131 or email me at jaedwards@madisoncity.k12.al.us. Let me know if I can ever do anything for you guys, and great luck to Bob Jones Football as they make a run for a state title.
Jason Edwards
Head Coach
Bob Jones Wrestling
Handout: 2008 Wrestling Recruiting
Monday, May 5
STAR Sportsmanship on-line course
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Parents,
Per AHSAA, every athlete that wishes to participate in any sport beginning this fall must complete the STAR Sportsmanship on-line course. This requirement is just like their grade and physical requirements. If the student does not do this course, they CANNOT participate beginning in August. Below are the directions that you need to share with all of your athletes. You can print and give a copy of the instructions to each kid, email all of your parents or maybe take your team to the computer lab and do it all at once. It is your choice.
Go to: http://www.starsportsmanship.com/
Choose "Student Sign In"
Enter our school log in code STAR01303
Confirm school's information
Select current grade
Click "register"
Enter first and last names (Do not use nicknames)
You will then be taken through the program.
Upon completion, please print out the certificate and give to your coach ton verify you completed the course.
Tuesday, May 12
Blackman Blaze 20-0
Stingy Defense Aids In Strong Spring Game
The Patriots looked strong in a weather shorten Spring game against the Murfressboro Blackman Blaze. With a few veterans nursing injuries on the sidelines, other Patriots stepped up and played extremely well. New Head Coach Kevin Rose enjoyed the overall effort while Coach Kurt Yancy and his potent offensive scheme made his return to Bob Jones. One thing is for sure, the 2009 Patriots will be Fast!
Monday, May 4
The New 2009 BJHS Football Helmet
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"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start,
anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
Carl Bard
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Flynt, 59, makes his debut with Sul Ross State
ALPINE, Texas -- To the shreiking delight of his wife, three kids, grandson and a legion of new fans, 59-year-old Mike Flynt returned to college football action Saturday night. His Sul Ross State teammates marched for a touchdown on their opening drive against Texas Lutheran and Flynt went in at left end on the extra-point unit. He sealed his block as the kick went through, marking his first game action in 37 years. He remained a fixture at that spot on extra points and field goals. His first block wasn't much, but it didn't matter. The play culminated a comeback that began almost as a dare at a reunion this summer, then was delayed by the kind of lingering aches and pains that slow most card-carrying AARP members. "I wasn't nervous," said his wife, Eileen, who'd met Flynt the year after he was kicked off the team right before what was supposed to be his senior season, thus had never seen him play before. "It was just exciting. I thought I was going to be nervous." Flynt might be giving new meaning to being a college "senior," but he's not the oldest ever as a 60-year-old played in 1997. However, he went in for one snap late in a blowout; Flynt is truly part of his Division III team, with expectations to eventually get in at his old position, linebacker. The Lobos have four games left and he expects to play in them all. When Flynt ran in for his first play, his son, Micah, was the first to holler, "There he goes!" All six members of his immediate family, even 1½-year-old Collin, screamed before, during and after the play. As Flynt ran back to the sideline, a fist pump showed his thrill. "Awesome, awesome, awesome," said his oldest daughter, Delanie Flynt-Swanson. Then she turned to Collin and said, "You're grandpa just played football!" "How many other grandpas can say that?" added son Micah Flynt. "None. Zero," she said...(More at ESPN)
Tuesday, April 22
Football Physicals
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5:30 PM - All current Bob Jones Athletes, except volleyball and football
6:15 PM - Liberty and Discovery Athletes
7:00 PM - Bob Jones Football and Volleyball players (after their practice)
Tuesday, August 28
Fountain of youth: LB suits up for Sul Ross State after 37-year wait, 6 years before Medicare
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ALPINE, Texas (AP) -- Mike Flynt was drinking beer and swapping stories with some old football buddies a few months ago when he brought up the biggest regret of his life: Getting kicked off the college team before his senior year. So, one of his pals said, why not do something about it? Most 59-year-olds would have laughed. Flynt's only concern was if he was eligible. Finding out he was, Flynt returned to Sul Ross State this month, 37 years after he left and six years before he goes on Medicare. His comeback peaked Wednesday with the coach saying he's made the Division III team's roster. He could be in action as soon as Sept. 1. Flynt is giving new meaning to being a college senior. After all, he's a grandfather and a card-carrying member of AARP. He's eight years older than his coach and has two kids older than any of his teammates. "I think it was Carl Yastrzemski who used to say, `How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?' I'd be in my late 20s or early 30s, because that's how I feel," said Flynt, who has made a living out of physical fitness. "That's been my approach to this whole thing. I feel that good. I'm just going to find out if I can perform and make a contribution to the team." A longtime strength and conditioning coach at Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M, he's spent the last several years selling the Powerbase training system he invented. Clients include school systems and the military. His colorful life story includes being the son of a Battle of the Bulge survivor and having dabbled in gold mines and oil wells -- successfully. Flynt's life was supposed to be slowing down this fall. With his youngest child starting at the University of Tennessee, he and Eileen, his wife of 35 years, are planning to take advantage of being empty-nesters for the first time. Instead, they've moved to this remote patch of West Texas so Flynt can mend an old wound and, he hopes, inspire others. He became emotional discussing his goal of "helping a bunch of young men to make up for those guys that I let down." Then he laughed about the reality that fellow Baby Boomers are getting the most out of his comeback. "People are kind of in awe. They keep comparing me to themselves and where they are physically," he said. "If I can help anyone out by what I'm doing, then it's all worth it." Flynt's position is still being determined, but he used to play linebacker. Wherever he lines up, he'll likely become the oldest player in college football history. Neither the NCAA or NAIA keeps such a statistic, but research hasn't turned up anyone older than their mid-40s. And even those are rare, for obvious reasons. "I told him he's an idiot," said Jerry Larned, who coached Flynt at Sul Ross in 1969 and counseled him at the start of his comeback. "I said, `Gosh, dang, Mike, you're not 20 years old any more. You're liable to cripple yourself.' He understands all of that. But he has a burning desire to play. ... He is in great physical condition. He still runs a 5-flat 40 and bench presses I-don't-know-what. He's a specimen for 59 years old." Back in the day, Flynt was quite a player. In 1965, he was on the first state championship team at Odessa Permian, the high school featured in "Friday Night Lights." He was offered a partial scholarship at Arkansas when the Razorbacks were among the top teams in the land, but instead went to Ranger Junior College. He wound up at Sul Ross in 1969. An NAIA school then, the Lobos were in the Lone Star Conference with East Texas State, which at the time had future NFL stars Harvey Martin and Dwight White, and Texas A&I, which was starting a two-year run as national champs. The highlight of Flynt's two years at Sul Ross was sticking A&I with its only loss in '69. Flynt was going into his senior year in 1971 when he got into a fight that was far from his first. School officials decided they'd had enough and threw him out of school. He earned his degree from Sul Ross by taking his remaining classes elsewhere. "I actually grieved for more years than I can remember the loss of that senior year," said Flynt, who'd been a team captain and the leading tackler as a junior. "What really got me was I felt that was MY football team and I had let them down. ... I don't know if I ever got over it, but I finally learned to live with it." Then came word of a reunion of former Sul Ross students from the 1960s and '70s. Randy Wilson, who has been best friends with Flynt since they met as college roommates in 1969, talked a bunch of his former teammates into using that event as an excuse to get back together. During several days of reminiscing, Flynt's pain became fresh as ever, especially when one of the guys said their '71 season went down the drain without Flynt. That's when he told them of his remorse. And, he added, "What really gets me is that I feel like I can still play." "You might as well give it a shot," Wilson told him. "The worst thing that can happen is you get your head knocked off and come home." When Flynt returned home to Franklin, Tenn., his wife wasn't as fired up by the idea. "I feel like I'm married to Peter Pan," she said. It took time to accept that instead of joining their daughter at Tennessee's home opener she would be watching her husband hit kids one-third his age. Eventually she came around. They've sold their suburban Nashville home and are now living in Alpine, a town of about 6,000 residents near the Big Bend National Park, a three-hour drive from the nearest major airport. "I told her, for me to know that I can do it and not do it would be worse than losing out the first time," he said. A devout Christian, Flynt sees many religious undertones to his story. He also believes it touts the benefits of strength training. "People have asked me, `Mike, what is the fountain of youth?' Well, it's strength training that builds muscle, increases bone density and burns calories," he said. "It's the one thing you can do in your 90s and benefit from." Just to be clear, Flynt won't be playing football in his 90s. He'll be out of eligibility then.
Friday, August 24
Patriots Win Jamboree 20-14 over Decatur!
Other Jamboree Scores
Huntsville 24, Johnson 14
Lee 6, Madison Academy 0
Buckhorn 14, Butler 14
Sparkman 24, North Jackson 28
Mountain Brook 28, Pinson Valley 0
#6-6A Foley 28, #1-5A St. Paul's 14
Hazel Green 14, East Limestone 37
Grissom 14, Athens 7
Austin 14, Cullman 14
Sunday, August 19
BJHS Touchdown Club "Question of the Month" for August 2007
Monday, August 20
Video Outlooks from Birmingham-Metro High School Football Media Day
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Bob Jones fares well at the 2007 Southeastern Select 7-on-7 tournament at Hoover
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| Freshman RB Trai Ragland with catch! | |
Pool Play continued Friday morning with Bob Jones going out of their pool and defeating Don Bosco, NJ and edging out Foley, AL (school of #1 rated high school wide receiver prospect in nation, Julio Jones 6'4", 215 pound player) to earn the #1 seed in bracket play. Bob Jones then defeated the winner of Springdale High School and Huguenot High School, which was Springdale (35-24), in the 1st round of bracket play.
Bob Jones finally played a "not so good" game in the second round of bracket play when they lost to Whitehaven High. Since bracket play was single elimination, Bob Jones was through for the tourney but compiled an 8-1 record against some of the best football programs in the nation. Bob Jones was also the only team to defeat Hoover, the eventual tournament champion.
Coach Brown was the first to say that this is only 7-on-7 but also pointed out that the tourney provided our kids a good look at how our skill players stack up against other highly recruited players. It is almost time to put on the pads and add the lines and running game.
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40 teams from 9 states expected to participate
Wednesday, July 18, 2007, PETER STEINBAUER, News staff writer
The National Select 7-on-7 tournament hosted by Hoover and Spain Park will peak at around 40 participating schools, event coordinator Brandon Sheppard said. The original goal was to host 64 teams, but logistical issues prevented that. Summer competition rules are different from state to state and also the financial commitment was too great for some schools to make. "We want to make it one of the best 7-on-7 tournaments in the country," Sheppard said, adding 64 teams will remain a goal for future years. Sheppard said the real draw of the camp for coaches is the opportunity to keep their teams working during the summer. "They truly are looking forward to the level of competition," said Sheppard, who is also an athletic trainer at Hoover High. For fans, the main draw is seeing schools from different states they normally don't get to see. Teams from nine different states have so far registered for the tournament. Some top teams involved include Prattville (Ala.), Shiloh Christian (Ark.), Thomas Jefferson (Pa.) and Don Bosco Prep (N.J.). Seven-on-7 tournaments originally started in the mid 1990s on college campuses when universities held high school team camps. Since then, top high schools started hosting their own camps. Hoover started its event in 2001 as a way to keep in shape against top-level competition. Sheppard said Hoover had no say in who they would play in 7-on-7 tournaments at university camps, a large factor in the team starting its own tournament. "We started the event and solicited schools we thought would be competition for us," he said...(Taken from the Birmingham News)
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Patriots hope summer workouts lead to fall successes
Jason Galloway, Madison Record
The Bob Jones football team has been hard at work this summer trying to increase their athletic ability to improve on their 5-5 record from last year. The team has been working four days a week from 7 a.m. to about 10 a.m. They work on strength through weightlifting and are adding to their speed and stamina by doing sprints and agility workouts. "Right now we are trying to get in the best shape possible and get as strong as we can," said offensive line coach Obed Ellis, who is also in charge of the team's strength and conditioning workouts. "We are working very hard right now," safety Scott McDowell said. "I think we have a better mentality this year." The Patriots went .500 last year and got blown out in the first round of the playoffs. Considering where the Bob Jones program had been before 2006, a year in which they won their first playoff game in 19 years, last year would seem to be quite successful, even though their record was mediocre. Wide receivers coach Kelly Fields feels that they are ready to take the next step. "In some areas last year, we didn't have the team we wanted," Fields said. "This year we're expecting bigger and better things; we have many starters returning and a lot more experience on the team." Fields is also the team's speed and agility coach, and he has added some extra form and technique drills that the team did not have last year. "We want to try to get faster during the summer and come into camp in shape," he said. The Patriots are hoping that their tough work during the summer will translate into production on the field during the season. "We believe that how hard you want it in practice is how good you will be in the game," McDowell said. Ellis explains the importance of getting stronger during the off season. "If you don't get stronger in the weight room, then you can't get stronger on the field," Ellis said...(Taken in full from the Madison Record)
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Patriot Spring Game to be on Radio, Shannon Brown Show Renewed!
Bob Jones’ Spring Game on May 18th with East Limestone will be broadcast on WVNN AM770/FM92.5 and available worldwide at www.wvnn.com. “The Patriots usual radio home of WUMP-AM730 will be broadcasting Huntsville Stars baseball game on that night so the broadcast was moved to WVNN,” said Bill West Market Manager of Cumulus Broadcasting in Huntsville. Cumulus Operates both WVNN and WUMP radio stations along with WHRP-FM and WZYP-FM. Announcers for the game will be Zack Bennett and Ray Greene. West also announced that The Shannon Brown Show will be heard again this year prior to every Patriot game this fall on WUMP-AM730 and worldwide at www.730ump.com. “Coach Brown did a great job for us last year and we were very pleased with the ratings for the show.” West said. Coach Brown hosts the 30 minute radio show that focuses on each upcoming game. Bob Jones Football has been heard on WUMPAM730 for almost 15 years.
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Vipers want glory days back after disastrous '06 season
Thursday, March 29, 2007 By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff, reggieb@htimes.com
There was a time when the Tennessee Valley Vipers were the toast of arenafootball2. From 2000-2004, the Vipers were the winningest franchise in the league, averaging almost 13 wins per season, playing in the inaugural ArenaCup title game and reaching the semifinals on three other occasions. Kelly Fields, the Vipers' offensive specialist during their heyday, was arguably the league's best wide receiver with 344 passes for 4,174 yards and 65 touchdowns in three seasons. Quarterback Matt Sauk was one of the league's best passers, and defensive ends Wes Stephens and Andy Fuller were standouts. Tennessee Valley left the league after the 2004 season, but came back last season. The comeback was a flop. After losing 17 games during their first five seasons, the Vipers went 3-13 in 2006. Coach Chris Williams was fired with six games left in the regular season and Milt Theodosatos, a former Vipers assistant under Kevin Guy, finished up 1-5. Despite his struggles, Vipers owner Keith Jeffries gave Theodosatos the full-time job. Theodosatos and the Vipers open the season Friday night at the Von Braun Center when the Alabama (formerly Birmingham) Steeldogs come to town. Kickoff is at 7:30. "We've got to win," Theodosatos said. "Winning cures a lot of problems." Before last season, the Vipers rarely had any worries. Joe Stroud, the team's general manager during the early years, is back in that position. He remembers those early days and is eager to get the team back to the top. "We're trying to climb the mountain again," Stroud said. "We were at the top once and we want to to get back. It's a challenge to come back and get the team where it needs to be, which is actually Coach T's responsibility, but my job is to get it back where we were packing the stands and rocking the joint." Tennessee Valley played before big crowds in the early years. Last season, the Vipers averaged fewer than 4,000 fans per game. Some of last year's season-ticket holders have bolted, Jeffries said, but he thinks they'll come back. "If we put the kind of product on the field that we expect, they're not going to be able to stay away," he said. "It's a rebuilding process," Stroud added. "We're not going to do it right off the bat, but as we grow and gain respect back into the community, we can get back to those early days." Ron Evans certainly hopes so. The executive director of the VBC was on hand during those first five seasons. He remembers how good things were, but he isn't naive enough to think fans will flock back after last season. "I don't think any of us are in the prediction business," he said. "Minor league sports are an incredible challenge ... except for baseball, which has a totally different structure. Unfortunately, in every other sport, it's kind of a revolving door in terms of what team can make it and what market. "With the history of success we've had here with football, you have to believe you can build it back up to stability." What if they don't build it back to stability? "The plan is not to shut down," Jeffries said. "The plan is to continue. We've got to play better than we played last year. We've got to really judge if the fan base is still here. Last year was not a good judge." Evans and Jeffries, who also runs the Huntsville Havoc hockey team, both believe football can turn the corner. "You've got to make these teams economically viable," Evans said. "We've got to find a way to accomplish that with football in a way that it has been accomplished in hockey. Probably as much as anything, that's what gives us the optimism." While hockey has 28 home games, football has only eight. "That changes the whole economics drastically," Evans said. "In football, on those eight home days, you've got to play well. "You can't be off a night or two with eight games and look really bad. Unfortunately, that happened to us last year." Jeffries has watched this year's staff and team and believes it will be greatly improved. "There's night and day difference in the feel, attitude and the motivation level of the team," he said. "There's a different style of coaching and a different style of player and we all hope and pray that will translate into a typical Vipers season and not the season we had last year."
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Bob Jones invited to 2007 Southeastern Select 7-on-7 tournament at Hoover
July 26th (Thursday) - July 28th (Saturday)
Some teams invited for 2007 include;
Buccaneers, Evangel Christian Academy, Foley High, Harrisburg High, Hoover High, Huguenot High, James F. Byrnes High, Jefferson County High, McGill-Toolen Catholic High, Memphis University School, Nease High, North Gwinnett, Olive Branch, Parkview High, Rock Bridge High, Shiloh Christian, Spain Park High, Springdale High, Thomas Jefferson High & Wooddale High.
2007 ITINERARY Check website for latest
THURSDAY | JULY 26
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM - REGISTRATION (COMPETITION GYM – HOOVER HIGH)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - HEAD COACHES MEETING (COMPETITION GYM – HOOVER HIGH)
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM - POOL PLAY (STADIUM / SOCCER FIELD, SEE POOL PLAY SCHEDULE)
FRIDAY | JULY 27
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM - HEAD COACHES MEETING MANDATORY (COMPETITION GYM – HOOVER HIGH)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - POOL PLAY (SEE POOL PLAY SCHEDULE)
12:30 PM - 5:00 PM - ON YOUR OWN
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - TOURNAMENT SEEDING / HEAD COACHES MEETING (COMPETITION GYM – HOOVER HIGH)
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - 1ST & 2ND ROUND TOURNAMENT PLAY (SEE BRACKETS)
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM - TBA
SATURDAY | JULY 28
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM - HEAD COACHES MANDATORY (COMPETITION GYM – HOOVER HIGH)
8:30 AM - CONSOLATION PLAY BEGINS (SEE CONSOLATION BRACKET)
9:00 AM - CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY BEGINS (SEE CONSOLATION BRACKET)
11:30 AM - CONSOLATION SEMI-FINALS (FIELD #9 & #10)
12:00 PM - CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS (FIELD #1 & #2)
12:30 PM - CONSOLATION FINALS (FIELD #1)
1:00 PM - CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (FIELD #1)
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Spain Park High School 2007 Football Combine
Rivals.com & Scout.com
Attention Upcoming Freshmen to Seniors
All Athletes will be ranked by grade and by the best of the best.
When: Sunday April 15th
Registration: 11-1 Combine Begins at 2 p.m.
Where:
Spain Park High School
4700 Jaguar Drive
Hoover AL 35242
Combine Tests:
40-Yard Dash
Pro Shuttle
Vertical Jump
3-Cone Drill
Standing Broad Jump
Position Skills
Cost: $40.00
Pre Registration is $40.00 / $50.00 at the door
Event will take place Rain or Shine
Athletes need to bring tennis shoes, spikes, & cleats. Be prepared for all surfaces!
Contact: Coach Chris McDougal
Cell (256) 415-3141
School (205) 439-1400
Give your athletes a chance to showcase their talents to the likes of Scout.com & Rivals.com. This is a perfect opportunity for athletes to see what they are made of and see where they stand among the states ELITE. This is a great recruiting tool and a great training tool for all athletes interested in becoming a college athlete. This will let them know where they stand and where they need be! All athletes are welcome to provide highlight videos for the recruiting agencies.
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Artificial sweetener at Milton Frank
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| Dave Dieter / Huntsville Times (Scanned) | |
Longtime hub of local athletics getting synthetic turf, new track
Wade Lipscomb has seen plenty of changes in the 30-plus years he's been involved in local high school athletics, but he has a hard time coming up with something to compare with what's going on now at Milton Frank Stadium. The city is replacing its turf with Pro Grass, a synthetic turf system, and it is also putting down a new surface for the track. "It's one of the best things we have done," said Lipscomb, the Huntsville City Schools athletic director. "We will have a truly multi-purpose stadium." Milton Frank is the site for some 65-70 football games in a year, as well as band competitions, track meets, and, occasionally, soccer. Whenever it rains, surface can quickly become a quagmire. A few years ago, some games had to be moved because the playing surface was declared unplayable. "We will now have a safe facility," Lipscomb said. "One we can use every day, even in the rain." No more cutting grass twice a week, no more fertilizing, resodding or repainting lines on the field. Milton Frank will be like football fields at Jacksonville State, Troy, Prattville and Vestavia Hills high schools, plus stadiums like Ladd-Peebles in Mobile and Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. The cost for the field and new track is $883,000 according to Herbert Wheeler, executive director of business and CFO of Huntsville City Schools. The drainage system for the field has already been put in, as has a stone layer. An inch and a half of loose rubber goes on top of that, followed by the turf, which has an eight-year warranty. "It will be a heck of a lot easier to adjust to than freezing in the mud," said Grissom football Ronny Massey, who has had players in the past play on similar surfaces at Tennessee, Auburn and Alabama. "Screw-on cleats must be reduced to a smaller size," Massey said. "Milton Frank did have a pretty good crown on the field. It will be flat now." Artificial surfaces in the 1970s and '80s were much tougher on players' bodies, but this kind of turf has been universally lauded. Massey said that while players will "need to cover (their) elbows and shins on a dry, hot day, the surface will be safer. And adverse weather will not affect the games as much as in past years. Lipscomb is also glad the track will be a first-class surface. "We are doing it so it will be state of the art," he said. "We would like to have some state events up here." Lipscomb said work at the stadium could be finished by late April and there will be a dedication of the new facilities at a football game this fall. Track, which usually holds the Metro meet at Milton Frank if not also other competitions, has had to make some quick adjustments for 2007. Coaches met on Wednesday to map things out. "Milton Frank Stadium is not available for varsity meets this season," Huntsville High track coach Terrance Young said after the meeting. Young added Lipscomb did mention the possibility of middle school meets there later if the work is finished in time. The Metro meet, on April 2-3, has been moved to Bob Jones. That school will also host the Red Coat Relays on March 16, Patriot Games on March 30, and the Bob Jones Invitational on April 20. Young said it is possible other meets may be added at other locations as the season goes on...(Taken in full from the Huntsville Times)
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Discovery's Head Coach Corey Collier accepts BJHS Freshman Head Coach position
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| Head Coach Corey Collier at DMS | |
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Monday, October 23
Football dad pulls gun on coach to get son in game
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -- The father of a young football player pulled a gun on his son's coach because he didn't think the boy was getting enough playing time, Philadelphia police said on Monday. Wayne Derkotch, 40, was charged with aggravated assault after getting in a fight with the coach over the amount of time the boy was getting on the field at a game for 6- and 7-year-olds on Sunday morning, said police spokesman Officer Raul Malveiro. "There was a physical altercation about what child should play or not play and then he pulled the gun," Malveiro said. There were no injuries and Derkotch fled before being arrested after a complaint was made by the coach, whose name was not released, Malveiro said. Parental behavior at children's sports events has come under scrutiny from groups such as the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance. The group's study gave parents a D grade for their conduct and involvement at kids' games. An Internet straw poll of nearly 3,000 by the Center for Sports Parenting found that 85 percent of the participants had witnessed parents or coaches becoming verbally abusive during games. Forty percent had seen physical abuse...(Taken from CNN News)
Wednesday, October 18
Bob Jones High School field gets award at World Class Paints!
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Monday, October 9
Artificial turf taking root with high schools
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| Taken from CNN.com | |
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Mangold's sister following in his footsteps
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| 5'-9", 300 lb, Holley Mangold can squat 525 pounds | |
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Bob Jones classified as the largest high school in Alabama
Wednesday, July 19, 2006, By GREGG L. PARKER, For the Madison Spirit writeone35758@yahoo.com
Bob Jones High School has received a new distinction. Madison's high school is the largest in Alabama. The Alabama High School Athletic Association released the classifications (www.ahsaa.com/classifications/2006-08-6A.asp). Statistics were based only on grades 10 - 12, like all other counts at AHSAA, Principal Robby Parker said. Bob Jones' 1,751 students placed Madison at top. Sparkman High School with 1,518 students in the Madison County School System was the fourth largest Class 6A school. Rounding out the top five are Murphy High School in Mobile, 1,676; Hoover High School, 1,639; and Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, 1,500. When the new high school opened for the 1996-1997 school year, Bob Jones had a student population of 1,184 for grades 9-12, said David Smith, interim chief financial officer for Madison City Schools. Ninth-grade students returned to the middle schools in 2001. In 2005 for grades 10-12, the count was 1,689 students. For the last academic year, 1,811 students attended the high school. The forecast for the student body at Bob Jones in 2011 is 2,240, Smith said. The school's amazing expansion keeps administrators on alert. "We address the growth every year," Parker said. "It's always a challenge. We are crowded but not overcrowded." The capital planning committee studies the growth trends each year. Five "floating" teachers at Bob Jones move from room to room instead of having their own dedicated classroom. The Edward A. Zompa Auditorium can't accommodate a school assembly because it seats just more than 1,200. "Getting everyone into the gym creates an extremely crowded situation," Parker said. "However, the lunchroom is fine. The parking is fine." The latest recognition at Bob Jones does not directly affect the job of principal. "There are just a lot of people, 2,000 students, 110 teachers and about 50 support employees. It's a full-time job," Parker said. Parker considers the announcement for largest school as "a great honor. I am blessed." "We have great kids and a great faculty. We also have the best facility in the state and it is getting better," Parker said. For more information, call 772-2547 and visit www.madisoncity.k12.al.us.(Taken from the Huntsville Times)
Sunday, July 16
MySpace more popular than Yahoo and Google
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| FREE MySpace Contact Table | |
Online social network MySpace.com has become the most popular website in the US, according to new figures from internet traffic measurement firm Hitwise. The website, which was acquired by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp in a USD580 million deal last summer, accounted for 4.46 percent of all internet visits in the US during the week ending 8 July, making it the number one ranked site in the country. MySpace pushed Yahoo Mail into second place. Yahoo's online e-mail service accounted for 4.42 percent of total traffic last week while the search giant's homepage drew 4.25 percent of all internet visits in the US. Google continues to be popular with users, and it accounted for 3.89 percent of total traffic last week. The latest figures indicate exactly just how popular MySpace has become with internet users in the US over the past two years. Back in July 2004, the website accounted for just 0.1 percent of all internet visits. Since then it's grown to become the leading social networking website both in the US and elsewhere. According to Alexa Internet, an Amazon subsidiary which monitors internet traffic, MySpace is now the fourth most popular website with internet users, behind Yahoo, MSN and Google.
Big Deal! What does that do for me? The Touchdown Club has created a Contact Table you use on your own MySpace. If you want use the Contact Table shown here, copy this code into the 'About Me' section of your MySpace profile. IMPORTANT Add a "<" in front of the style> and /style> tags.
style>
.contactTable {width:300px!important; height:150px!important; padding:0px!important; background-image:url("http://bjfootball.nss-corp.com/myspace/images/2006BJHS_Sch.gif"); background-attachment:scroll; background-position:center center; background-repeat:no-repeat; background-color:transparent;}
.contactTable table, table.contactTable td {padding:0px !important; border:0px; background-color:transparent; background-image:None;}
.contactTable a img {visibility:hidden; border:0px!important;}
.contactTable a {display:block; height:28px; width:115px;}
.contactTable .text {font-size:1px!important;}
.contactTable .text, .contactTable a, .contactTable img {filter:none!important;}
/style>
Check out the 2 new ones by adding a 2 or 3 to 2006BJHS_Sch in the script above. Like 2006BJHS_Sch2.gif or 2006BJHS_Sch3.gif
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| 2006BJHS_Sch3.gif |
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Born without legs, still playing football
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| Bobby Martin plays for Colonel White School | |
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Madison County Special Olympics
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| Two Special Bob Jones athletes from last year's event! | |
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Special Olympics have published the results of a multi-legged study of the impact of Special Olympics programs on the lives of its athletes in the United States. According to Changing Lives through Sport — A Report Card on the Impact of Special Olympics, the benefits of participation in Special Olympics are substantial. The research shows that there is an overwhelming consensus among Special Olympics athletes, coaches and family members that there is significant improvement in athletes’ sense of self, social skills and social interactions due to their participation in Special Olympics. Each year many groups and organizations, including military units from Redstone Arsenal, volunteer to help with the Madison County event. Many of the local high schools in Madison County also send students to volunteer to help escort athletes to events and to cheer them on in the competition. Many volunteers attend this event to make an impact on the special athletes but at the end of the day it is the special athletes who have made the impact on the volunteers. Volunteers will report to the Milton Frank Stadium by 8:00am on the morning of October 25, 2005 and the events are concluded at 1:30 pm with a short clean-up activity following the conclusion of the events. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please coordinate with Coach Brown, sdbrown@madisoncity.k12.al.us, by October 5, 2005. The event will be considered a field trip for the players and if anyone other than the players want to volunteer also let me know. We may need some parents to help chaperone. Thank you for your help, and I look forward to seeing you at the Games.
Coach Brown
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Check Out the New BJHS Video Web Site
Tired of just seeing still photo shots of your favorite Bob Jones football players? Why wait till the yearly banquet to see the Patriots in motion. Check Out the New Bob Jones Football Video Web Site.... all from BobJonesFootball.com, your ONE source for everything about the Bob Jones High School Football Program!
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Bob Jones Special Olympic Athletes excel at Annual Event
This year's event was another huge success. The volunteers from Bob Jones High School made up a large number of the overall helpers in this year's annual event. The athletes from Bob Jones performed outstanding as many qualified for Alabama's state event. Many volunteers attend this event to make an impact on the special athletes but at the end of the day it is the special athletes who have made the impact on the volunteers. Coach Shannon Brown may had stated it the best when he said of his football players, "It is an honor for our young men to participate in this event and to help anyway they can". One of the Special Athletes, Ricky Flowers, had his younger brother and BJHS Junior football player Steadman in attendance for the very first time. If you could have seen Ricky's face, you would understand what this event means to all the special athletes. A huge thank you goes out to BJHS Principal Robby Parker and Coach Shannon Brown for supporting this very worthwhile cause.
Check out Pictures of this year's event on the Bob Jones Touchdown Club Photo Site!
Friday, March 17
Madison to spend $550K on athletics
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| Fieldhouse Drawing | |
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Friday, March 17, 2006, By WENDY REEVES, Times Staff Writer wendyr@htimes.com
MADISON - The Board of Education voted Thursday night to spend more than a half-million dollars on the Bob Jones athletics programs. The school system has also awarded a grant for than $1.5 million to be a regional training center for a statewide technology initiative for teachers. For the athletes, Bob Jones High School will get a 70-foot by 120-foot metal multipurpose sports building for an estimated cost of $300,000. The facility will be equipped with four batting cages for baseball and softball teams, new mats for the wrestling team, cheerleaders and dance team. The school will also get an extra 3,200-square-foot addition and renovation to the weight room at the fieldhouse for an estimated $250,000. A new storm drainage system will also be included in the project. Board members Jim Sturdivant, Sue Helms, Shelia Nash-Stevenson and Ray White voted to approve the expenditures. Board member Julie Mills did not attend Thursday's meeting. Members and supporters of the wrestling team attended the meeting to request the board invest money in the unfunded team. Brad Johnson of the wrestling booster club told the board the wrestling team was 22-6 this year. Six wrestlers qualified for the state tournament and three finished in the top four, he said. Overall, the team ranked seventh in the state and Zach Clark, a junior, was named Metro Wrestler of the Year. "The wrestling team is still the Rodney Dangerfield of athletics" Johnson said during a presentation to request adequate practice space for the team. "We don't want a lot of respect, just a little." After the board's vote on the multipurpose building, Johnson said the team still will not have a facility of the same caliber as surrounding schools. "However, if the school administration honors the commitments made tonight, there will be a significant improvement," he said. In other business, the school system was awarded a two-year grant of more than $1.5 million to be one of three regional training centers for Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators & Students Statewide (ACCESS). The program helps expand learning opportunities through technology...(Taken from the Huntsville Times)
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Great Gaines in distance
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| Luke Gaines wins State Javelin | |
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Bob Jones senior wins state javelin championship
PELHAM - To understand how Bob Jones High senior Luke Gaines won the Class 6A javelin championship on Friday, go back about a decade. Gaines was playing youth football and became the quarterback for his father/coach, Robin. "The reason I started out as quarterback is because I could remember all the plays," the younger Gaines said with a grin. Once he had the position, Gaines started working on passing. He also became a pitcher in baseball. So when he reached 10th grade, a natural track and field specialty awaited - again for his father/coach, now on Bob Jones' staff. "I've always been decent at throwing things, so why not pick up the javelin?" That decision paid off Friday under overcast skies at Heardmont Park. On Gaines' third throw of qualifying, he sent the javelin through a crosswind and past the final arc marked on the field - 180 feet. Nobody else reached that arc, even in the final round, and Gaines' 182-2 gave him first by 40 inches over Dothan's Jermaine Potter. "I saw it was flying good," Gaines said of his winning effort. "A lot of how far a throw goes is the flying of the javelin." Teammates and friends in the stands cheered when the javelin landed beyond the 180 mark. Gaines, who played quarterback on Bob Jones' football team, nonchalantly walked to retrieve his javelin and finally clinched his fist in his only show of emotion. He got three more throws in the finals but couldn't better that effort. He didn't need to. "Your dad can breathe now," Robin Gaines told him afterward. Luke Gaines was one of four individual champions from the metro area Friday in the Class 4A-6A state track and field meet. The others were Butler's Latoya Ragland (18-101/2 in the 5A long jump) , Huntsville's Cody Hood (4 minutes, 26.55 seconds in the 5A 1,600 meters) and Johnson's Reneisha Hobbs (39-5 in the 5A shot put)...(Taken in part from the Huntsville Times)