Sparkman charges past Bob Jones

Senators dominate rival to earn playoff berth

Saturday, October 22, 2005
From staff reports
John Ferry
Huntsville Times

HARVEST - It was a game Sparkman had to win to make the state Class 6A football playoffs, and the Senators put on a powerful performance in a 28-7 victory over archrival Bob Jones."It was by far our best game of the year," said Taron Ryce, who ran for two touchdowns and also played well on defense at safety and linebacker. Coach Roger Haynes also liked the play on both sides of the ball."We felt we could move the football," Haynes said. "We got pressure on the quarterbacks, and we executed the game plan to a T."Haynes credited Albert Rocker, Devyn Keith, Jaimal Payne and Jason Gaines for their defensive pressure.Bob Jones coach Shannon Brown said Sparkman showed for four quarters how much it wanted the game. Then Brown took responsibility for his team."We weren't prepared mentally or physically," Brown said. "They just got after us and we didn't respond."Sparkman limited Bob Jones to 38 yards and two first downs in the first half. For the game, the Senators outgained the Patriots 328 yards to 152. Sparkman (5-4, 3-3 in the region) drove 66 yards in eight plays to take a first-quarter lead. Jusmon Rivers ran 19 yards off a fake punt to keep the drive going, and quarterback Whitney McKinney connected with Bryant Williams for the touchdown from the 30. Michael Kitchens kicked the first of four extra points.The 7-0 score stood up at halftime, though Sparkman drove from its 6-yard line to the Bob Jones 3 during a 19-play second-quarter drive. It ended when a Kitchens field goal try went wide.The Senators went 65 yards in eight plays after the second half kickoff. Ryce scored from the 2. Three plays later Sparkman got the ball back on a Jerron Mitchell interception, and Ryce then went around left end for a 14-yard touchdown that made it 21-0.The Senators drove 68 yards in 13 plays to close their scoring with 1:53 to play. Rivers went at left end for the last 25 yards.Bob Jones, which did not penetrate Sparkman territory until the third quarter, then drove 65 yards on six tries to get its points. Quarterback Luke Gaines, who took over for Jordan Busing in the third quarter, completed five passes along the way, including a 17-yarder to Jeremy Cunningham for the touchdown.Cody Stepko kicked the point with just 11 seconds remaining.The game was penalty-plagued, with Sparkman drawing 10 flags for 71 yards and Bob Jones nine for 65.Sparkman hosts Athens next week to finish the regular season. Bob Jones (5-4, 4-2) is home against Huntsville.

4th

Passing

• #2 McKinney 5-8 78 yards 1 TD 0 Int

Punting

# 22 Jusmon Rivers- 1 punt - 27

27 yard average.

Rushing

• # 2 McKinney 7-77
• # 37 Richardson 12-52 1 FUM
• # 22 Rivers 3-45 1 TD
• # 5 Ryce 10-33 2 TD
• # 36 Williams 7-28
• # 27 Elston 4-13
• # 42 Garrot 2-1

Receiving

• #36 Williams - 1-30 TD
• #27 Elston 2-28
• #80 Brown 1-14
• #22 Rivers 1-6

Sparkman

Bob Jones