Bob Jones quarterback Trey Bates saved his best performance of the season for the biggest game of his career. Trailing 13-10 with 1:42 on the clock, the senior drove the Patriots 70 yards to a game-winning touchdown and left Austin only 14 seconds to respond. Drew Davis stopped Josh Walker’s run as time ticked away and the Patriots had a 17-13 win to claim the Class 6A, Region 8 title.

Bob Jones’ players celebrated with their fans who rushed the field at Madison City Schools Stadium. It is the fourth region title in a row for the Patriots. Bob Jones has now won five region games in a row after losing to Hazel Green in week 3.

The dramatic final drive featured a fourth and eight completion by Bates of 20 yards to Ben Washington. Bates then hit Spencer Smith on a pass to the five yard line where he hit Kevin Wright on a short pass that Wright carried in for the game winning score.  Bates had one of his best games on the season hitting 15 of 23 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown.

Trey Bates after the game. (Record Photo / Lindsay Vaught)

“It is probably the best drive I’ve ever had in all my life,” Bates said after the game. “I was just trying to get it to Ben Washington and get it past the sticks on the fourth down. When we were down with 2 minutes left we knew we were going to go score. It didn’t matter who made the play, me, Kevin, Jay. It’s not just me we had help from the defense, we had great blocking, and some great catches. I’m just one player. I do it for all these guys out here.”

The Patriots had their backs against the wall more than once in the game that saw five lead changes. The defense held Austin out of the end zone and forced a 30-yard field goal to break a 10-10- tie with 1:42 left after the Black Bears reached the 11-yard line.

Stymied by bad field position, the Patriots offense struggled in the first half but managed to score a touchdown on a 3-yard run by Kevin Wright late in the second quarter to take a 7-3 lead in at halftime. Bob Jones was held to 75 yards rushing on 17 carries in the first half.

Austin struck first on a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter. Penalties mounted for Austin who was flagged 4 times for 38 yards in the first half alone.

But the Black Bears struck first in the second half after a 66-yard completion from Chris Sparkman to Malique Elliot. Josh Walker went in from 2 yards out.

Bob Jones coach Kevin Rose used Kevin Wright as quarterback in the wildcat formation and the move sparked the second half comeback. Wright had runs of 14 and 6 yards and Jay Rogers converted 3 fourth down runs as the Patriots drove to a game-tying 28-yard field goal by David Mitchell.

“We were struggling a little bit and that is something we practiced all year. No need to hold it any longer,” Rose said. “Kevin is an explosive player for us, he’s a smart kid, he’s got ice water in his veins and he gave us a much needed spark in the second half.”

Wright followed pulling tackle Jordan Shelton for a key third down conversion in the fourth quarter and went over 100 yards rushing on the play. He also caught five passes for 22 yards.

“I’m as proud of this coaching staff and this group of players as any I’ve ever had,” Rose said. “It is an unbelievable accomplishment to win the fourth region title in a row.”

“Trey Bates stepped up big on the final drive, took us down the field and put it in the end zone,” Rose added.

Bob Jones goes to 7-2, 6-1 in region with a non-region game next week at Muscle Shoals, the alma mater of coach Kevin Rose. Austin, who led the region two weeks ago, finishes in third place with a 5-2 mark in region.