MADISON, Alabama -- In a high-stakes non-region class under the Thursday night lights at  Madison City Schools Stadium, the Homewood Patriots (Class 6A) overcame a halftime tie and a late deficit to defeat the James Clemens Jets (Class 7A) 38-28.  The win capped Homewood's regular season at 9-1, securing the No. 1 seed in Region 5 and marking head coach Ben Berguson's 100th career victory—a milestone that added extra luster to the comeback.

For James Clemens, the loss dropped them to 5-5, ending a three-game winning streak but still positioning them as the No. 2 seed in Region 4 for the playoffs.  The game pitted two programs with contrasting styles: Homewood's balanced offense, led by dual-threat quarterback Kaleb Carson, against James Clemens' up-tempo attack featuring explosive running back MJ Gideon and quarterback Matthew Evers' deep ball. Entering the matchup, Homewood boasted an 8-1 record, with its only blemish a narrow overtime loss to Mountain Brook, while James Clemens sat at 5-4 after a forfeit win earlier in the season.

The Patriots had dominated the recent series, winning the last three meetings, including a 24-10 victory in 2024. "This is a special moment," said Patriots head coach Ben Berguson. "We haven't played four quarters since the Parker game. We have to do that going into the first round of the playoffs. It is a one-game season right now. I thought we played soft tonight. I think we were a little better in the second half. We just can't do that in the playoffs. We have to play four quarters, and we are going to face a good Pell City team next week, so we have to be ready.

Both teams viewed this as a playoff tune-up, with Homewood aiming to build momentum and James Clemens seeking to test their young offensive line against a stout 6A defense. The action kicked off with Homewood striking first in the opening quarter. After a methodical drive that showcased their ground game, senior running back Davis Griffin plunged into the end zone from 1 yard out at the 7:38 mark, giving the Patriots a 7-0 lead.  Griffin, who entered the game with 371 rushing yards on the season, would prove pivotal throughout, but this early score set the tone for Homewood's physical approach.

James Clemens responded swiftly, capitalizing on Evers' arm. At 3:43 in the first, Evers connected with wide receiver Alex Lively on a 34-yard touchdown pass, knotting the score at 7-7.  The Jets' offense, revamped under first-year head coach Juan Johnson to emphasize speed and explosiveness, looked sharp early. 

The second quarter saw James Clemens surge ahead. Evers and Lively linked up again, this time on a 62-yard bomb at 9:53 of the second quarter, pushing the Jets to a 14-7 advantage. Lively, a key target in the Jets' passing game, exploited mismatches in the secondary, while Gideon's runs—totaling over 1,000 yards entering the game—kept the defense honest. 

Homewood, undeterred, mounted a drive before halftime. Carson, who had thrown for 1,831 yards and 24 touchdowns prior to the game, found running back Reid Goldstein for an 11-yard touchdown pass at 1:03, tying it at 14-14. The half ended amid controversy: With 10.3 seconds left, James Clemens drove to the Homewood 12-yard line, but a clock malfunction halted play, and officials called halftime despite protests.

At the break, the game was deadlocked, with both teams showcasing big-play potential—Homewood's defense holding firm on key stops, and James Clemens' offense generating chunk yards. The second half exploded with momentum swings, starting with a special teams spark from Homewood. Junior Chappy Chapleau returned the opening kickoff 70 yards to the Jets' 5-yard line, electrifying the Patriots' sideline.

However, James Clemens' defense, anchored by linebackers Jocq Dennis (57 tackles entering) and Kaleb Pryor (50 tackles), stiffened, forcing Homewood to settle for a 28-yard field goal from kicker Judson Eanes at 11:16 in the third, making it 17-14. The Patriots' defense then stepped up, intercepting Evers and setting up a short field. Carson capitalized with a 5-yard touchdown run at 5:17, extending the lead to 24-14. Carson's dual-threat ability shone here; he finished the game with 56 rushing yards and a score on just six carries, adding to his season totals.

James Clemens refused to fade. At 2:18 in the third, Gideon broke free for a 51-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 24-21 and injecting life into the Jets' comeback bid.  Gideon, with 1,002 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns before the game, epitomized the Jets' ground attack, supported by a young offensive line featuring sophomores like Karter Grace and Evan Leathers.

The fourth quarter turned into a shootout. Evers hit Lively for a 16-yard touchdown at 9:36, giving James Clemens their first lead since early in the game at 28-24.  Lively's hat trick of touchdowns highlighted Evers' accuracy, with the quarterback completing key passes despite entering with 890 yards and seven scores.

Homewood's resilience defined the final minutes. Griffin, setting a season-high with 107 rushing yards, burst for a 31-yard touchdown at 6:41, reclaiming the lead at 31-28. The Patriots' offensive line, including standouts Walker Bostick and Gray Keown, consistently opened holes. Jackson Chapleau sealed the deal with a 7-yard touchdown run, pushing the score to 38-28 and extending Homewood's winning streak to four games. 

Chapleau, with 224 rushing yards and nine touchdowns prior, provided the bruising finish to a drive that chewed clock and demoralized the Jets. Wide receiver Tomon Felton added 82 receiving yards, drawing coverage and opening run lanes. 

For the Jets, Evers' connections with Lively (three touchdowns) and Gideon's explosive runs kept them in contention, but penalties and the late interception proved costly. Homewood's defense, featuring linebackers Luke Eldridge (55 tackles) and Parker Lindsey (52 tackles), limited big plays after halftime. 

Postgame, the victory resonated beyond the scoreboard. For Berguson, reaching 100 wins in his tenure underscored Homewood's program stability.  The Patriots now host Pell City in the 6A playoffs, riding a wave of confidence from five straight road wins.  James Clemens, despite the setback, heads into the playoffs hosting Fairhope with lessons from this physical battle against a top 6A foe.  In a season finale filled with drama, big plays, and resilience, Homewood's comeback affirmed its status as a playoff contender, while James Clemens showed flashes of the explosiveness that could carry them deep in 7A.