In a Class 7A, region 4 titanic matchup in week 4, the #1 Bob Jones Patriots will travel to #5 Gadsden City to face the Titans in a huge region game. The winner could have the inside track for the region championship even though we haven't played half of the year.
Both teams come into the big game with 2-0 region marks and look to make a big splash Friday night at Titan Stadium. "We have to be able to run the football and control the tempo of the game," said Patriots head coach Kevin Rose. "When we get our shots to make a big play, we need to take advantage of them."
Bob Jones has athletes all over the field that can make the big plays. It all starts with Patriots quarterback Jeremy Frye. "Jeremy really makes a lot of plays and extend the play while keeping his eyes downfield," added Rose. "He has been more effective running the football. Last season, he would throw the ball away, but know he is using his feet to pickup the first down." Frye had completed 31-of-56 passing for 580 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Also, he has 50 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.
One weapon that the Patriots have is Torrey Hunt. The talented receiver can take a kickoff back for a touchdown or get you on a big play in the air. "I would put him up their with anyone in the state of Alabama as a receiver," Rose added. "He has improved more in a 12-month period than anyone that I have ever coached. He is extremely fast and long." Schools are looking at him at a cornerback at the next level due to his lenth and speed even though he hasn't played a down at corner this season. For the year, Hunt has 14 receptions for 357 yards, a whopping 25.5 yard per catch with four touchdowns and 61 yards on 11 carries.
With Miles Strickland, Deondre Douglas, Jonathan Rice and Brad Anderson, the Patriots have a lot of weapons on the offensive front. Offensive lineman Tucker Walters and senior Greg Polson are part of a solid offensive line.
On defense, Bob Jones had to replace eight starts from last season. Back are two of the best in the secondary. A.J. Harris and Jarek Taylor have a lot of talent. At linebacker senior Carson Styles anchors the defense. Styles has 30 tackles in his last two games. At 5-10, 190-pounds, he is one of the best on getting to the football. "He not tall enough, strong enough and doesn't weigh enough but makes every play," Rose said. "He has a nose for the football and knows what is going on. Our best defensive player the first three weeks of the season." On the defensive line, Jeffrey Benton 6-3, 245-pounder has been a guy who has surprised the Patriot coaches how well he has played early in the season.
For Gadsden City, quarterback Ahmad DeRamus leads the Titans offense. Last week against Grissom, the lefty QB had four touchdown passes in the first half. With a Titans strong running game and along with DeRamus making great strides in the passing game, the Titans offense can get in the end zone in the air or on land.
The Titans have a three-headed running game that can break down a defense. Running backs Gabe Ford, Rodney Bowman and Damon Williams can score from anywhere on the field with their break away speed. At wide receiver, Jaylon Williams and Darnell Mooney can turn a little slant into six or go deep anytime. The offensive line is solid with Nolan Boatner and Jamahl Jelks making the holes for the Titans run game.
The defense has Torrez Boyd on the defensive front. Linebackers Zackery Oglesby and Jarvis McGee have a nose for finding the football on everyplay. Adrian Sumpter had to play one of the best receivers in the state with Trey Gamble of Oxford earlier in the season, now he will probably have the duty on sticking to Hunt all game long.
This season, Bob Jones has wins over Decatur, James Clemens and Sparkman, while Gadsden City has wins over Auburn, Oxford, Sparkman and Grissom. Bob Jones puts up 35.3 points per game while Gadsden City averages 40.0 points on offense. On defense, Bob Jones averages only 10.3 points per game while Gadsden City gives up 19.8 points per contest.
Key of the game. Both teams should be able to run the ball, but the team that can creat the big play in the air could get the big win Friday night in Gadsden, Alabama.
