It looks like Friday night at Madison County City School Stadium is going to be the place to be with a big showdown between Class 7A Region 4 teams Hewitt-Trussville against Bob Jones in a key region game. The winner will have the inside track for the region title as both teams come into the game at 3-0 in the region.
Bob Jones is coming into the game with four straight wins. They started the season with losses at #1 Class 7A Central-Phenix City and #1 Class 6A Austin. "I think were a better football team since the first two games we have played," said Patriots Head coach Kevin Rose. "Were playing a very talented football team Friday night. Great players that are well coached and can put up a big number on offense. But we have improved and we have played this type of competition twice now."
For the Bob Jones offense, quarterback Caden Rose leads the way for the Patriots. The young sophomore is growing up quickly in the Patriots offense and is showing more confidence in it week by week. Rose has completed 78-of-125 passing for 1,037 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Patriots QB has connected on 62% of his passes this season.
At running back Isaiah Hatchett and Jaylen Williams are a good 1-2 punch for the Patriots. Both have different running styles and have made big plays for the Patriots offense. "Isaiah is more versatile athletically," said Patriots Offensive Coordinator Matt Patterson. "Jaylen is a hard nosed between the tackle back." Hatchett has 333 yards on 59 carries for a 6.5 yards per carry average and four touchdowns. Williams has 195 yards on 62 carries and two touchdowns.
At receiver, Bob Jones has one of the best in the state. Demontrez Brown can catch it, run it and throw it. I think he could lead the band at halftime with all his talents. The Troy commitment is a huge problem for any cornerback on any team. "I think he is as good as any receiver in the state," added Rose. "Right now, if I was a SEC or power five school, I would take him without blinking. He is such a big wide receiver someone like Michael Irvin. Big body that is hard to tackle. He plays so physical and is such a good blocker. He can make good adjustments in tracking the ball in the air. He has a nack for making big plays for us." Brown has 654 yards on 31 catches for a whopping 21.1 yards per catch with eight touchdowns. Look to see Brown in the backfield as he has 125 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns.
Another Patriots receiver playing well is Dylan Ray. Ray who can play quarterback is playing opposite of Brown and can contribute in a lot of ways. Ray has 207 yards on 17 catches and two touchdowns. Look for Ray to throw the ball from any place on the field. He has completed 9-of-18 passing for 229 yards and four touchdowns.
The Patriots offensive line has been a patch work for much of the season due to injuries. Defensive lineman Gavin Lewis has filled in on the offensive side of the ball the first half of the season. "We had two injuries to start the season and we needed him to come in and fill a hole on the line," said Rose. "He has done 20 to 24 snaps a game but with our other lineman back from injury, I'm not sure if he will see many snaps on offense due to he is so vital to our defense and we need him fresh on defense to stop the run. To have a guy that wants to do for the best of the team and maybe not just himself is refreshing."
On the line, center Caleb Lawson has been the key player on the front line. With Jordan Aycock and Colby Morrell having injuries early in the season, the offensive line has put together a few games with all the starters intact. Kevontae Higgins and Artavious Allen round out the Patriots offensive line.
On defense, the are going to be stretched with all the weapons that Hewitt-Trussville brings to the table. The front seven of the Patriots are going to be tested all night. Defensive lineman Lewis, Tyler Brown, Je'Han King and Derrick Weddle will need to put pressure on the Huskies quarterback through the night.
Linebackers Kade Koler, Jacobye Green, Martin McCoy and Luke Koger will need to help the front line to stop the Huskies run game. Khalil Griffin, Jaquirrus Pelmer, Kyle Parker and Terrell Jennings will play an important rule in the secondary.
For Hewitt-Trussville on offense, quarterback Paul Tyson leads the Huskies offense. Tyson has offers from Notre Dame, USC, Wisconsin with Alabama and Clemson making connection with the junior quarterback. For the season, Tyson has completed 94-of-131 passing for 1,365 yards with 16 touchdowns and only one interceptions.
Tyson has many weapons on offense and uses them very well for the Huskies offense. At receiver, Logan Pitts and super sophomore Dazalin Worsham have done a great job of making the big plays for the Huskies offense. Pitts is averaging 22.8 yards per catch while Worsham averages 12.0 yards per catch. Pitts has 273 yards on 12 receptions and five touchdowns while Worsham has 336 yards on 28 catches and three touchdowns.
The matchup that will cause the most problems for the Patriots is running back/receiver Elliott McElwain. The senior will put heavy pressure on the linebackers & safeties on pass routs all game long when he is not running the football. Last week McElwain had over 100 receiving yards but can bring in those stats running with the football. "Elliott can do everything that we need him to do at that position," said Huskies Head coach Josh Floyd. "He is a big threat catching the football along with running the ball. He is super smart with a high football IQ." For the season, McElwain has 360 yards on 25 receptions with three touchdowns with 336 yards on 47 carries and seven touchdowns.
A couple other players that will make an impact on offense will be Antonio Reed and Mr Versatile Myles Mason. Reed has 352 yards on 42 carries for a huge 8.4 yards per carry with six touchdowns and Mason has 174 yards on 13 carries for a huge 13.4 yards per carry and four touchdowns in only three games. Also, Mason doubles at safety on defense and can play down at linebacker in some situations. Mason has 17 tackles and one tackle for loss in those three games. "Myles is just super explosive, he can score anytime he touches the ball," added Floyd. "Defensively he can cover one on one, very physical player.
The offensive line has junior Pierce Quick. The junior tackle has committed to Alabama and has been the anchor of the offensive line. Logan Self, Ben Adams, Cooper McManic and Sam Penque to a fantastic job of keeping pressure off the the Huskies QB.
The Huskies defense start with linebackers Simon Miskelley and Trevor Sisk. "Both of those guys have played a lot of football for us," said Floyd. "They are making a lot of plays in the backfield and are two great leaders for us. The heart and soul of the defense."
The defensive front of Maurice Williams, Naqi Raza, Cody Bradford, Hunter Davis and Phillip Bentley will look to shut down the Patriots run game. In the secondary, Cody Madison, JR Alexander, Malachi Moore, Creed Parker, George Steel and Mason will have to find a way to close down the talented Patriots receivers.
Usually in a game like this special teams play a big part and both teams do a great job on special teams. So many great athletes will be on the field Friday night. Last year it was a high scoring shoot out. It might be the same type game this year. Enjoy!
